WSU Today: Friday, Jan. 26, 2024

Featured Stories

Join President Muma’s literacy fundraiser

Join President Rick Muma and his team as they prepare future Shockers for a lifetime of success. The President’s Team is raising money for the United Way’s Champions for Literacy initiative, which puts books and supplies into the hands of USD 259 students.

Reading helps children build cognitive skills, gain a deeper understanding of the world, improve their concentration and fuel their imagination. As an educational driver for the state of Kansas, Wichita State is committed to helping students of all ages achieve success and become the leaders of tomorrow.

During the 2022-23 school year, 79% of third graders in Wichita were not reading at a proficient level, and students not reading proficiently by the fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out. Donations to the campaign stay local to the Shocker Neighborhood through United Way of the Plains to alleviate illiteracy in the community.

Learn more and donate to the cause

Parking and Traffic

Lot 41 by Woolsey Hall to be partially closed Jan. 25, 26

Approximately half of Lot 41, the parking lot near Woolsey Hall, will be closed Thursday, Jan. 25 and Friday, Jan. 26 for an event in the building. Faculty and staff that typically park in this lot will need to park in other yellow lots in the area. The YMCA lot is not available for faculty, staff or event guest parking and could result in a citation.

The purpose of lot reservations is to help accommodate large groups of guests visiting campus for events or the event itself. Lot reservations are not to be used for WSU affiliates. Remember, visitors to campus can park without an ePermit up to three times each semester.

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

Find other parking on campus

Game day parking enforced Jan. 28

For the Sunday, Jan. 28 Shocker men’s basketball game, a number of lots in the vicinity of Charles Koch Arena will be reserved for Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization parking beginning at 11 a.m. During this time, signage will be in place alerting drivers of the impending lot assignment changes.

Anyone previously parked in these lots will need to move their cars by 11 a.m. Any unauthorized parking in a game day lot carries a $50 citation fine.

Learn more about game day parking

News

Pursue your interests with WSU’s Community Education Classes

Discover a diverse range of topics, from cybersecurity to scotch, pickleball to painting and much more, and connect with fellow community members while exploring your passions with Wichita State’s Community Education classes.

These classes are open to everyone in the community, and they do not count for college credit, which means no tests, no homework and no pressure.

Learn more and register for classes

College of Engineering offering free math tutoring and labs in response to student needs

In response to student needs, the College of Engineering is offering free math tutoring and labs to any students who could benefit from precalculus, calculus 1 or calculus 2 assistance. Casey Shotwell, an assistant educator in the college, is available for one-on-one precalculus tutoring by appointment, as well as a calculus 1 lab from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and a calculus 2 lab from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Fridays. Both labs take place in A131 in the Partnership 2 Building.

“We want to remove any academic barriers students may be facing,” said Dr. Anthony Muscat, the dean of the college. “After offering the tutoring and labs for two prior semesters, we have seen some great benefits to students.”

Students interested in scheduling a precalculus tutoring session may contact Shotwell at casey.shotwell@wichita.edu. To attend a lab, interested students should enroll in the applicable Blackboard group and visit A131 in the Partnership 2 Building at the designated time.

Vote for Woolsey Hall for Wichita Business Journal’s ‘Coolest Office in Wichita’

The Wichita Business Journal has released the 2024 “Coolest Office in Wichita” nominations, and Woolsey Hall has been nominated. The community can vote once for their choice through the voting period until 5 p.m. Friday Jan. 26.

Vote for Woolsey Hall

Presentations and Talks

Lecture series in mathematical sciences presents Dr. Jue Yan, Iowa State University Jan. 26

Join the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for a public lecture by Dr. Jue Yan from Iowa State University.

The lecture, titled “Cell-average-based Neural Network Method for time-dependent Problems,” will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 in 372 Jabara Hall. Refreshments will be available at 2:30 p.m. in 353 Jabara Hall.

Biological sciences seminar series kicks off with Dr. Jeremy Ross Jan. 29

The Department of Biological Sciences spring 2024 seminar series begins at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29 in 231 Hubbard Hall with Dr. Jeremy Ross of the University of Oklahoma, with his talk “Extreme weather ecology of migratory grassland birds.”

Seminars are open to the public and undergraduates are encouraged to attend.

Events

Campus community invited to biweekly legislative update session

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the Kansas legislature relevant to Wichita State. The next meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 in 101 Morrison Hall.

The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students and is held every other Friday in Morrison Hall following each legislative session.

‘This Other Eden’ is KMUW’s January Literary Feast book pick

KMUW’s monthly book club, Literary Feast, features selections made by its staff. For January, KMUW is reading “This Other Eden” by Paul Harding.

Participants will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31 at KMUW for a group discussion over dinner. Dinner is provided by Public, and guests are invited to bring a beverage to share with the group.

Purchase a ticket to the event

Volunteer Opportunities

Spring 2024 Wu’s Big Event registration is now open

Join the Community Service Board for its largest one day volunteer event, Wu’s Big Event, Feb. 10. Join fellow Shockers for a morning of volunteering throughout the community. Individuals, groups, organizations, students, faculty and staff are invited to attend. Checkin for Wu’s Big Event will be from 8:30 to 8:50 a.m.

The kick-off will begin at 9 a.m. in 208 Hubbard Hall with a light breakfast and kick-off celebration. Participants will then load the buses and be at a service site by 10 a.m. Volunteers will work until noon and return to Hubbard Hall for lunch and closing festivities.

The event will end by 1:30 p.m. Transportation to and from service sites is provided. Light Breakfast, lunch, water and T-shirt will also be provided.

For additional information, contact the Community Service Board at CSB@wichita.edu or 316-978-7016.