WSU Today: Friday, Feb. 11, 2022

From the President

President Muma’s ‘Forward Together’ podcast discusses affordable higher education

For the February episode of “Forward Together,” President Rick Muma, Shocker head basketball coach Isaac Brown, and Chamber of Wichita chief executive officer John Rolfe as they discuss making higher education more accessible.

Muma hosts “Forward Together” each month during the fall and spring semesters.

The “Forward Together” podcast celebrates the vision and mission of Wichita State University. In each episode, President Muma will talk with guests from throughout Shocker Nation to highlight the people and priorities that guide WSU on its road to becoming an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater good.

Listen to episode three of 'Forward Together'

Featured Stories

President Muma rewards MDL

The members of the Molecular Diagnostics Lab (MDL) received cookies as part of the Rick Rewards Presentation on Thursday, Feb. 10.

Rick Rewards is a program by President Rick Muma that launched in December 2021. The program allows President Muma to show his appreciation for the efforts of a member, or members, of the campus community.

The MDL was recognized for their efforts during the pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic, there was an extremely limited supply for COVID testing. The MDL’s researchers, staff and students came together to solve this problem and now the Wichita community has access to highly accurate and 24-hour turnaround testing that allows the region to stay healthy and open.

Estate gift from the late Richard ‘Dick’ Smith will fund $11 million in scholarships at Wichita State, KU

A bequest from the estate of Richard “Dick” Smith will provide about $5.5 million each to Wichita State University and the University of Kansas to endow full-ride scholarships for students at each university.

A longtime resident of Wichita and the founder of Range Oil Co., Smith died in January 2021 at the age of 87.

The estate gifts were announced at a news conference on Feb. 9 attended by WSU President Rick Muma and KU Chancellor Douglas Girod, as well as Smith’s widow, Sondra Langel. Elizabeth King, WSU Foundation president and CEO, and Dale Seuferling, president of the KU Endowment, also attended.

News

Schedule appointment for WSU Mobile DMV Event Feb. 17

Need to renew or receive your Kansas ID or Driver’s License? Schedule an appointment at the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles website and you can begin the process of renewing or receiving a Kansas ID or license at a DMV Mobil Event Feb. 17 at the Rhatigan Student Center (RSC) Room 266. Representatives from the Kansas DMV will be available by appointment at the RSC during this time.

This opportunity is available to both international and domestic students, staff, and faculty. Members are required to have a wichita.edu email to sign up reserve a time. Appointments are limited.

Visit the Wichita State Mobile at DMV Event website for a complete list of services and items required for the event.

Learn more about Mobile DMV Event Sign up for Mobile DMV Event Feb. 17

F1RST-Gen Friday: Cheyla Clawson

What is a first-gen student?

A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor’s degree. A student who is the first person in their immediate family to attend a four-year college/university to attain a bachelor’s degree.

Focus on first-gen: This week we highlight Cheyla Clawson, director, School of Performing Arts, assistant professor of dance.
Sign-up to join the First-Gen Affinity Shockers—Designed to foster a community of first-generation professionals to build a group that offered professional development and networking opportunities where common experiences could be shared and address the needs of first-gen professionals as they navigate Wichita State University.

Learn more about First-Gen Affinity Shockers

Events

Engage ICT to discuss mental health, homelessness in Wichita today

Join KMUW’s next Engage ICT virtual event at 5 p.m. today, Feb. 15. This edition will feature a discussion about mental health and homelessness in Wichita.

The number of people experiencing homelessness in the Wichita area has increased during the last few years. This challenging issue affects many parts of the community. A panel of experts will discuss the problems and possible solutions. The panelists include:

Lacey Cruse, Sedgwick County Commissioner
Brenda Dietzman, Wayfinder Consulting
Regina Hafner, Comcare
More to be announced

Tune in to the live conversation here and ask questions at the Engage ICT website and on KMUW’s Facebook page.

Visit KMUW Facebook Visit Engage ICT website

Office of Research reschedules NASA Funding Workshop

Due to the snow day, the Office of Research has rescheduled its NASA Funding Workshop to 1 p.m. Feb. 17 via Zoom.

Dr. Nick Solomey, WSU professor of physics, and Dr. Stephanie Vivod, chemical engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center, will discuss how to successfully apply for funding and funding opportunities at NASA.

For more information or to receive the Zoom link, contact proposals@wichita.edu.

Learn more about WSU Research Workshops