Shocker Blast: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025

About Shocker Blast

Shocker Blast: Your portal to campus

You’re reading Shocker Blast, Wichita State’s newsletter made just for students. Shocker Blast gives you regular updates about Shocker Nation every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, sent directly to your official student email.

We know no one likes to read emails — but there’s a lot of information in Shocker Blast that’s useful to you as a student, like special deals on campus, maintenance and construction updates, events with your peers, important deadlines and more.

Stay tuned for the Jan. 21 edition for everything you need to know about campus to succeed.

For more information about Shocker Blast, reach out to Caelin Bragg, newsletter editor in the Office of Strategic Communications, at caelin.bragg@wichita.edu.

Required Training

Title IX & Civil Rights Training for students deadline extended to Feb. 7

At WSU, we believe in the importance of creating a safe and healthy environment for all of our community members. To that end, we have partnered with Catharsis to provide Title IX & Civil Rights Training. This training is highly interactive and engaging, and is based on research around best practices for healthy communities. To take the training, log into myWSU and click on the “Home” tab at the top. You should see the training link on the bottom left side of the screen.

Parking and Traffic

Lot 41 near Woolsey Hall will be closed for event

Lot 41, the parking lot adjacent to Woolsey Hall, will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 15 for the Wichita Business Journal Luncheon in partnership with Wichita State.

Red reserved and ADA stalls are not subject to lot closures and proper use is permitted during this time.

Parking garage add-on ePermits for spring on sale now

The parking garage add-on ePermit for spring 2025 is now on sale. Any current ePermit holder is eligible to purchase this add-on for $50. The add-on will allow ePermit holders to park on floor two, the ramp to three, floor three and the ramp to four without having to pay the hourly rate. The ePermit is active at the time of purchase and is good through June 30.

This ePermit is for sale in person at the Parking Services building lobby or in the drive through on the north side of the building. Payment is to be with cash or check only and a limited amount of these ePermits will be made available. You must have a current ePermit on file or you will be required to buy one at the time of the add-on purchase.

For questions on the add-on or parking in general, email wsuparking@wichita.edu or call 316-978-5526.

Events and Recreation

Join the third annual Winter Welcome Jan. 24

Join the third annual Winter Welcome from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 at the President’s Residence for festive ice skating, a giant Lite Brite, an inflatable snow globe and more. Warm up and enjoy snacks by the fireplace and reconnect with others at this annual event.

Students will be able to make snow globes and get a free beanie and gloves while supplies last.

Donate and save a life at the next WSU blood drive Jan. 28/29

The national blood supply is at an all time low and the need for blood is critical. If you’ve never donated before, consider doing so at the next WSU Student Red Cross Chapter blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 in the lobby of the Heskett Center.

All donors will receive a $15 eGift card. Reserve your time to donate now by visiting redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 (REDCROS).

Programs and Courses

Still looking for a first-year seminar? Consider Connecting Generations

Are you still looking for a first-year seminar, one that’s anything but ordinary? FYPH 102G Connecting Generations offers a unique, intergenerational experience where you’ll build meaningful connections with older adults at Larksfield Senior Living.

You’ll be able to dive into their life stories, learn from their wisdom and create unforgettable memories. More than just a class, it’s a chance to make a difference, grow personally and have fun along the way.

Interested in attending? You can register for Connecting Generations with the CRN: 23951. The class is from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in-person in Ahlberg Hall.

Learn more about the experience

Greek Life

National fraternity expanding at Wichita State

Student Engagement & Belonging is excited to announce the selection of Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. for expansion at Wichita State, which will take place starting spring 2025.

Awards and Recognitions

School of Education’s T2T student Sarah Schlottman wins Kansas Horizon Award

Sarah Schlottman, a speech and drama teacher at Abilene High School, has been named a recipient of the prestigious Kansas Horizon Award. Sarah, a second-year teacher in the Wichita State Transition to Teaching Program (T2T), was recognized for her exceptional dedication and passion for teaching.

The Transition to Teaching program is a two-year alternative licensure program that combines graduate-level coursework (in-person, hybrid and online) with full-time, paid teaching as the teacher of record in a specific subject area. Participants will fulfill teacher licensure (KSDE) course requirements while enrolled in the T2T program with an option to complete a Master of Arts in teaching degree with an additional seven credit hours.

On Jan. 9, Dr. Randy Watson, the Kansas Commissioner of Education, called Schlottman to announce the exciting news.

“We have thousands of outstanding teachers in their second year,” Dr. Watson said. “Only 32 across the state are selected for this honor, and Sarah is one of them.”

The recognition places Sarah among the best new educators in Kansas and earns her a place in the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN). As part of the award, Schlottman will be invited to the KEEN Conference and an honorary banquet in February, where she will be celebrated for her educational contributions.

Sarah’s commitment to her students and the Abilene community has not gone unnoticed. Known for her tireless work ethic, her dedication to providing students with a transformative experience in speech and drama, and her constant drive to inspire others, Sarah has become a true role model for her peers and students alike.

“We are incredibly proud of Sarah and the remarkable work she does each day to help her students succeed,” said Greg Brown, Abilene High School Principal. “This recognition is a testament to her dedication, and we are thrilled to see her being acknowledged on a state level.”

Sarah’s passion for teaching and her unwavering commitment to student success make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

News

Engineering students take first and third place in electrical and electronics engineering poster competition

On the evening of Dec. 5, six College of Engineering students took first and third place in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Wichita Section Holiday Banquet Undergraduate Poster Display in Woolsey Hall. Lauren Bulcroft, Shyanna Edwards, Clayton Short and Oliver Harrison placed first. Pedro Cordeiro Povoa Cupertino and Vicknesh Prasad placed third.

Save the date and nominate an adult learner for the Adult Learner of the Year awards

The Office of Online and Adult Learning is preparing to host its sixth annual Adult Learner of the Year (ALOTY) awards ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m. April 3 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

Every year, the ALOTY awards recognize an outstanding adult student at Wichita State, a WSU partner and a community partner who support these adult learners on their journey towards a degree. To qualify for the ALOTY award, a student must be 24 years or older, have a 2.5 GPA and demonstrate leadership, Shocker Pride and perseverance towards obtaining a degree.

Nominations are now open for the ALOTY awards. To learn more about the ALOTYs and see some of the past recipients, go to wichita.edu/aloty. For any questions, call 316-978-8315 or email Pamela O’Neal at pamela.oneal@wichita.edu

Make your nomination

College of Engineering ranks No. 20 in Cyber Power Rankings

The College of Engineering has been ranked 20th nationally out of 550 colleges and universities in the Cyber Power Rankings, which were created by Cyber Skyline in partnership with the National Cyber League. The rankings represent the ability of students to perform real-world cybersecurity tasks on the Cyber Skyline platform.

University re-designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyberdefense Education

The School of Computing within the College of Engineering has announced re-designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). The original designation was in 2019, and the re-designation is through 2029. The NCAE-C program, launched by the National Security Agency (NSA) in 1999, recognizes institutions meeting rigorous cybersecurity education standards.

Training Opportunities and Workshops

Sign up for upcoming free Mental Wellness and Preventing Suicide trainings

Attend the Suspenders4Hope #WSUWeSupportU Mental Wellness and Preventing Suicide training this semester. Training dates for spring 2025 include:

Monday, Jan. 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room
Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. in 240 RSC, Mayfield Room (LGBTQ+ version)
Tuesday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to noon in 264 RSC, Spencer Room
Friday, April 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Ablah Library
Monday, June 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. in 313 RSC, Prairie Room (LGBTQ+ version)

Learn about tools to support the community and assist someone in need. Students, staff and faculty are welcome to sign up for the training. Sign up on myWSU under the myTraining section or on the registration website. All participants will receive a free suspenders #WSUWeSupportU T-shirt.