WSU Today: Monday, Dec. 11, 2023

Featured Stories

WSU announces fall 2023 commencement schedule, speakers

More than 1,400 students are eligible to participate in Wichita State University’s 126th fall commencement ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 in Charles Koch Arena.

All graduates will walk across the stage and be individually recognized. Doctoral candidates will be hooded at the ceremony.

Speaking to the graduates this year are Gene and Yolanda Camarena. Gene Camarena is the president and CEO of La Raza Pizza Inc., and Yolanda Camarena has been an advocate for social justice and equity in education. They are also the founders of the Shocker Adelante Scholars scholarship program, which they started in 2020.

Learn more about commencement

Meet a Shocker: Ryan Littlejohn

Ryan Littlejohn worked his way through Wichita State University with instructors who helped him with the balancing act of academics and a busy life.

Ryan is one of more than 1,300 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Meet a Shocker: Mariana Vazquez Serna

Mariana Vazquez Serna got involved at Wichita State, making connections with her peers and professors by joining clubs and attending events on campus, something she advises other students to do during their time at WSU. She will work as an associate for an accounting firm after graduating with her BBA in accounting.

Mariana is one of more than 1,300 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Meet a Shocker: Courtney Lockhart

Courtney Lockhart enjoys escaping to nearby Lake Afton Park to fish and relax. He works for the Student Outreach and Support/CARE Team in Student Affairs at Wichita State University.

Courtney is one of more than 1,300 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Meet a Shocker: Amanda Morales

Amanda Morales found it difficult to balance her studies while being a mother and wife and working full-time, but through the support of those around her, she was able to persist and will now graduate this fall with her bachelor’s degree in education.

Amanda is one of more than 1,300 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Craig W. Barton Speaker Series

Faculty message regarding Barton Speaker Series

As you’ve likely heard, Emmy Award-winning journalist Norah O’Donnell will be our guest for the 2024 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series on March 21, 2024. O’Donnell is anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News. She also anchors all CBS News’ Election Specials and is a “60 Minutes” contributing correspondent. She has covered six presidential elections and interviewed every living U.S. president.

Dear WSU Faculty:

This will be an incredible opportunity for students from across campus to hear about and learn from O’Donnell’s decades of experiences covering events around the globe and conducting news-making interviews with world leaders.

I strongly encourage you to include O’Donnell’s visit as part of your curriculum for your spring 2024 classes, as she’s sure to offer our students valuable and evocative insight and advice about current and political affairs from around the world.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series, which was established in 2021, is an annual event that aims to expose students to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

There are two opportunities for students to engage with O’Donnell during her visit to Wichita State:

At 3 p.m. on March 21, there will be a moderated Q & A with students led by SGA President Iris Okere with opening remarks by Dr. Jeff Jarman, director for the Elliott School of Communication. A link for students to sign up for the afternoon event will be provided to faculty for their curriculum and distributed through Shocker Blast.
At 6 p.m. on March 21, O’Donnell will deliver a keynote address in Miller Concert Hall followed by a moderated discussion. This event is open to the public, and students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Access to tickets will be available Feb. 1, 2024.

Both events will offer distinct experiences for our students, and they both promise to be informative, enriching, and entertaining.

For more information about the Barton Speaker Series visit wichita.edu/bartonseries or call Carmen Hytche at 316-978-3142.

Sincerely,

Shirley Lefever
Executive Vice President & Provost

Parking and Traffic

Lot 20, near Wilner Audiotorium, closed Dec. 11

Lot 20, near Wilner Auditorium. will be closed Monday, Dec. 11 due to an event. Faculty and staff that typically park in this lot will need to park in other yellow lots in the area of the building.

The purpose of the lot reservations is to help accommodate large group 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 3 (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 faculty and staff parking

Parking Services to offer parking garage add-on ePermit

Parking Services is excited to announce the creation of a parking garage add-on ePermit for the spring semester. 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 at anytime in the spring semester without having to pay the hourly rate. This ePermit will go on sale at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2 in person at the University Police Department. 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.

This is the first semester the add-on is available. Because this is a pilot program, Parking Services is open to feedback and will look to make any necessary adjustments before offering the add-on again in the fall.

News

Wichita State celebrates 2023 Best of Wichita wins

The Wichita Eagle has announced the winners of its annual Best of Wichita competition, and Wichita State was voted top three in multiple categories, including a gold placement as the best college/university in Wichita.

Below is a list of all of Wichita State’s placements:

Wichita State University was voted gold for best college/university.
The WSU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic was voted silver for best audiologist/hearing center.
The WSU Child Development Center was voted silver for best childcare.

And one of Wichita State’s Innovation Campus partners, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, was voted gold for best tacos in Wichita.

We thank Shocker Nation for their participation in the voting process.

Jamf Connect can help stop Mac passwords being out of sync

Wichita State’s Information Technology Services (ITS) has recently deployed Jamf Connect for WSU Mac devices.

By utilizing this software, Mac users will have the following benefits:

After logging into Jamf Connect, it will verify that your login password is current. If not, it will ask to sync/update your password.
Users will have access to a live countdown on the number of days remaining before their myWSU password expires.

Visit the ITS Resources website (wichita.edu/jamfconnect) for more information.

For questions, contact ITS Help Desk at 316-978-4357, option one or email helpdesk@wichita.edu.

Excellence award nominations due date extended to Dec. 15

Nominations for Excellence Awards in research, creativity activity and community research are now being accepted by the Office of Research.

All full-time faculty, including distinguished professors and endowed chairs, who have served at Wichita State for at least three years, are eligible. Faculty who hold an administrative position above that of chair are not eligible.

Previous winners of the award are ineligible to be nominated for a period of five years following the award. Visit the Office of Research website for additional details and electronic nomination forms. Nomination forms (five questions) must be received by Friday, Dec 15. The full applications are due Monday, Jan. 15 (nominees will receive an email outlining the requirements).

Nominations are open for 2024 Staff Senate Distinguished Service Awards

Do you know a WSU employee who deserves special recognition for their contributions to Wichita State? The Staff Senate invites the campus community to submit nominations of outstanding staff members for the President’s Award for Distinguished Service by 5 p.m. Jan. 26.

These awards recognize the dedication and excellence of WSU employees who have provided exemplary, dedicated and caring service to the WSU community that is beyond the expectations of the duties and responsibilities of their position. Selected honorees are recognized at the annual Shocker Pride Celebration.

Award details and the nomination form can be found on the Staff Senate Awards website. Nominations can be submitted to marissa.kouns@wichita.edu.

Call for fiscal year 2025 Educational Opportunity and student fee funding requests

It’s time to begin the process for submission of funding requests through the Student Government Association for the Educational Opportunity Fund and Student Services Fee for FY 2025. Through the student services fee, these programs provide financial support to facilitate students’ academic pursuits (Educational Opportunity Fund) or the funding of programs/activities delivered directly to students (Student Services).

If you’ve submitted requests in the past, the budget/review officer should have received an email from the Budget Office to kick-off the submission process. If you have not submitted requests in the past, but are considering submitting a new request, contact Lyndsay Pletcher, Jason Post or David Miller in the Budget Office at 316-978-3030 for additional information.

Requests are due no later than Wednesday, Feb. 7.

University schedule for the 2023 winter closedown

To help faculty and staff plan their time off and work schedules throughout the year, Wichita State shares the winter closedown period schedule that has been approved for this year.

Events

Attend public reception for Documentary Media and Social Strategies student work

From 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries will host a public reception for “What’s Up Doc? (feat. Umentary)” in 204 McKnight Art Center, ProjectSpace gallery.

“What’s Up Doc? (feat. Umentary)” features the semester-long projects of Jennifer Ray’s interdisciplinary Documentary Media and Social Strategies students. Their work crosses media, and includes filmmaking, spoken word performance, photography, sculpture and web-based projects. Taking an expansive approach to documentary, students have mined their own family histories, worldviews and life experiences to develop these projects. A spoken word piece by Kenna Green will be performed at 5 p.m.

Stop by the Metroplex for lunch, last-minute shopping

Stop by and join the Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the Hughes Metropolitan Sports Complex for some one-stop shopping.

Browse gift items from over 50 local small businesses all under one roof, hosted by the SBDC. “We really wanted to give local small businesses an extra chance to connect with holiday shoppers,” said Brandi Willet, SBDC regional director.

A wide variety of gift items or gift cards for services such as massages, pet sitting and cleaning will be available for purchase. Cash purchases are appreciated, as payment goes directly into the entrepreneur’s pocket without delays or added processing fees.

This is the perfect lunch hour outing as Taters N Toppings and Want Bierocks, two local food trucks, will be on-site. In conjunction with a Very Merry Metroplex, 1 Million Cups is moving to the Metropolitan Complex and will kick off with networking at 8:30 a.m.

Special Offers

Lil’ Shocker growth charts available

Have a lil’ Shocker or adding one to the family? Request a Lil’ Shocker growth chart at no additional charge to track their height as they grow, compliments of the Office of Admissions. Growth charts will be delivered to faculty and staff member campus box numbers and available for student pick-up in the Marcus Welcome Center.

Submit a request

Holiday items, gifts available from the Shocker Store

The Shocker Store has new holiday items and gifts for all Shockers. Check out the new items in the Rhatigan Student Center Shocker Store or through the online storefront.

Save an additional 10% off clearance items at Shocker Store

Save even more on already discounted clearance merchandise at the Rhatigan Student Center Shocker Store. Through Dec. 16, take an additional 10% off clearance items, redline items included.