WSU Today: Friday, Sept. 13, 2024

Performances

A night of musical masterpieces: WSU Symphony Concert features faculty soloist and guest ensemble

Get ready for an evening of music with the Wichita State University Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 in Miller Concert Hall.

Faculty soloist Dr. Cristina Castaldi, soprano, will perform Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915,” a nostalgic piece set to text by James Agee. The WSU Symphony will also present Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3 in Eb Major” (“Eroica”), a revolutionary work that was originally dedicated to Napoleon before Beethoven famously withdrew the honor. Joining the WSU Symphony is the Blue Valley Northwest High School Chamber Symphony, directed by Michael Arbucci.

The concert begins with “The Block” by Carlos Simon, a vibrant piece from 2018 inspired by the art of Romare Bearden, capturing the energy of a Harlem city block.

Events and Recreation

National Voter Registration Day celebration will be held Sept. 17

Join the Shockers Vote coalition for National Voter Registration Day. This year’s celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 at north patio of the Rhatigan Student Center.

While you are there, find information about voting and celebrate with your fellow Shockers. Food, games and prizes will be available as supplies last.

For questions, email civicengagement@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016.

Registration is open for 2024 Pumpkin Run

Join Campus Recreation for its annual 5K Pumpkin Run Oct. 19 on campus. The 5K will be held from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

Participants will receive a free Pumpkin Run T-shirt, and everyone who crosses the finish line will receive a finisher medal. Registration for the 5K Pumpkin Run is $37 through Oct. 17, so sign up now. Get a personal referral code to sign up your friends, family and/or coworkers, and if five people sign up with the code, you get $15 off your race fee.

Additionally, signups are also open for the Little Pumpkin Fun Run 1K and Virtual 5K events:

The Little Pumpkin Fun Run 1K, which is from 10:19 to 10:45 a.m. Oct. 19, is designed for children 10 years old or younger. Signups cost $19 through Oct. 17.
The Virtual 5K registration is $40 and allows participants to run from anywhere. Registration ends Oct. 2.

Learn more and sign up for Pumpkin Run

Shocker Store hosting garage sale at WSU West

The Shocker Store is headed to WSU West for a garage sale from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18. The Shocker Store will be set up in the main lobby of WSU West with Shocker gear priced 30-70% off.

Shocktoberfest

Show off your Shocker Pride with the Shocktoberfest Door Decorating Competition

Show off your Shocker pride with the Shocktoberfest Door Decorating Competition. Individual students, faculty/staff and departments are eligible to participate. The theme is all about Shocker Pride, and the optional theme of “blast for the past.”

Members of the Student Activities Council will judge and vote on the door that best represents Shocker pride. Individual winners will receive a $50 Shocker Store Gift Card and the winning department will receive $100 towards an office party.

Doors will be on display during Shocktoberfest from Sept. 30 through Oct. 5. Doors must be decorated by Sunday, Sept. 29. Only use materials that will not damage your doors.

Learn more and register

Register to walk with the 2024 Shocktoberfest Parade

Shockers, friends and the Wichita Community are invited to join in on the annual Shocktoberfest Parade Oct. 5, whether it be with a custom float or by gathering your group of friends or colleagues to walk, dance or stroll in the parade.

Register now to join the parade. Student organizations can register for free; offices, businesses and individuals can register for $20. Contact Joshua Woods at joshua.woods@wichita.edu for more information.

Compete with your peers at the Shocktoberfest Pickleball Tournament

Time to bust out the paddles and headbands for the Shocktoberfest Pickleball Tournament from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Chicken N Pickle, 1240 N. Greenwich Road.

Individual students, faculty/staff and Spirit Competition teams are eligible to compete. Teams will compete in pairs of two in a 16-draw style tournament. Spots are limited to 16 teams, so be sure to sign up soon.

First, second and third place teams will be awarded a trophy. Transportation will be provided from Shocker Hall to Chicken N Pickle starting at 6 p.m. and running every 30 minutes until 8 p.m. Teams must register by Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Learn more and register for the pickleball tournament

Campus Safety

Annual fire alarm testing will be conducted through the remainder of September

WSU Fire Safety and its vendor will conduct required annual fire alarm inspections and testing starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15. Testing will continue through the remainder of September or until all the fire alarm systems have been tested. Testing for most buildings will be done during the evening and overnight hours. There is no schedule of when a building will be tested.

Every effort will be made to not disrupt any business or classes however the fire alarm system could go off. Unless told otherwise by Fire Safety, follow your evacuation procedures and do not re-enter the building until you are told you can do so.

Any questions can be emailed to Scott Murray at scott.murray@wichita.edu and Dennis Moore at dennis.moore@wichita.edu.

Mental Health

HOPE Services invites everyone to participate in Suspender Fridays

September is Suicide Awareness Month and National Recovery Month, and HOPE Services invites you to wear your Suspenders4Hope T-shirts on Fridays as a sign of your support for mental health and others in the Wichita State community.

Together, everyone can normalize conversations around mental health, suicide and substance use disorders changing the narrative to one of hope, recovery and healing. If you would like to attend a Suspenders4Hope #WSUWeSupportU Mental Wellness and Preventing Suicide training or Substance Use and Mental Wellness training, go to myTraining in your myWSU to see the offerings this semester or keep an eye out in the newsletter for upcoming training opportunities.