WSU Today: Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023

Featured Stories

Brent Mai named dean of Wichita State University Libraries

Brent Mai has been named the next dean of Wichita State University’s Libraries, effective Oct. 15.

Previously serving as the dean of the Thomas G. Carpenter Library at the University of North Florida since 2019, dean of libraries at Fairfield University from 2016 to 2019 and the University Libraries dean of Concordia University from 2003 to 2016, Mai brings nearly 30 years of experience working in academic libraries to WSU.

Mai will replace Kathy Downes, who retires in September. Downes served as dean since 2017, but initially came to WSU in 1979 as a biomedical librarian.

Read the full announcement

WSU students create new handrails for Koch Arena, improving the fan experience

Thatcher Luginbill-Ruder will see his work in the lab pay off for fans every time the Shockers play in Charles Koch Arena.

Two of those fans are special to Luginbill-Ruder, a senior industrial engineering major from Olathe. Grandparents Errol and Suzanne Luginbill are Wichita State University alums and loyal fans of the Shockers.

When the Luginbills attend games in Koch Arena, the walk to their seats will be safer and easier, thanks to a collaboration between Shocker Athletics, the College of Engineering’s Innovation Hub and the Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization. Around 400 handrails are being installed in aisles above the entryways in the upper bowl and in the lower bowl behind the baselines.

WSU professor’s new book helps K-12 educators persist through today’s teaching challenges

Daniel Bergman grew up in O’Neill, Nebraska, buying comic books at the grocery store.

“It was hit or miss — if you had money, or if you could beg your parents,” he said.

Those superheroes stuck with Bergman through his college days at the University of Nebraska and into his career as a teacher. The powers, the costumes, the origins and the variety of story-telling techniques captivated him as graphic novels and blockbuster movies turned the crime-fighters into entertainment powerhouses.

Presentations and Talks

New York Times best-selling author named Barton School’s newest Executive-in-Residence

The Barton School of Business has announced Curt Coffman as its fall 2023 Executive-in-Residence. Coffman is the founder of The Coffman Organization and co-author of New York Times bestsellers, “First Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently” and “Culture Eats Strategy for Lunch.”

As Executive-in-Residence, Coffman will provide mentorship opportunities to students, exchange ideas with Barton School faculty and staff, and host a conversation with industry leaders. The theme of his residency and title of his keynote presentation is “The Power of You: New Formula for Growth.” Following the keynote, Coffman will distribute and sign two of his books to those in attendance.

RSVP for the keynote, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 in Woolsey Hall, at no additional charge.

Events and Recreation

Stop by the SEAL Open House Sept. 7

Student Engagement, Advocacy and Leadership (SEAL) invites faculty and staff to join the SEAL and SGA Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7 in 216 Rhatigan Student Center, where employees will have the chance to meet with students and staff and learn how to get connected with events, leadership workshops, volunteer activities, fraternity and sorority life, SGA Student Senate, and more.

Learn more about SEAL

Sign up to participate in a One Small Step conversation at Ulrich

One Small Step is an initiative of StoryCorps, a national oral history non-profit organization that invites two strangers with different political views to sit down together for a respectful facilitated conversation, and StoryCorps will be coming to WSU from Thursday, Sept. 7 to Sept. 9 at the Ulrich Museum.

HealthHum grants workshops begin Sept. 8

The Academic Center for Biomedical and Health Humanities (HealthHum) is hosting a grants workshop series beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8 in 209 Fiske Hall.

The focus will be on proposals that center humanity in health, medicine, wellbeing and human flourishing. Faculty and staff who are working in those areas, or who would like to, should join the workshop to find collaborators and develop grant submissions. Faculty and staff from all colleges and disciplines are welcome.

Other upcoming HealthHum meetings:

Grants workshop: 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15 in 209 Fiske Hall
General meeting: 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22 in 209 Fiske Hall

Create ceramic bowl for Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off fundraiser

Join ceramic artist Brenda Lichman in the fight against hunger in our community by creating a one-of-a kind ceramic bowl using wheel-throwing or hand-building techniques from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 in 106 and 107 Henrion Hall.

The bowl you make will be donated to the Empty Bowls Chili Cook-off fundraiser Oct. 21 to benefit HumanKind Ministries and ICT Community Fridge Project.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event at no additional charge, presented by the Ulrich Museum, WSU Ceramics Guild and Empty Bowls Wichita.

Join WSU Libraries for Savvy Scholar workshop

The Savvy Scholar Workshop is designed to empower students with enhanced research skills, and faculty and staff are invited to join and encourage their students to participate in the workshop. Join WSU Libraries from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Ablah Library’s Digital Scholars Commons or participate online.

The workshop, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, will focus on leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to supercharge research endeavors. By mastering GIS basics, students will gain the ability to effectively utilize spatial data and harness the true potential of mapping in their work.

Learn more and register

Attend First-Year Seminar informational sessions

The First-Year Seminars (FYS) program will host informational sessions from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, both in 261 Rhatigan Student Center.

These sessions will describe the process on how to create and teach an FYS class for first-year students. Teaching an FYS is an excellent opportunity to support the academic transition of first-year students to Wichita State and support student success and persistence.

For more information, contact Brett Bruner, assistant vice president for Student Success & Persistence, at brett.bruner@wichita.edu.

Job Openings

College of Engineering is looking for new associate dean

The associate dean for undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Engineering serves as the chief operating officer for the undergraduate and graduate academic programs in the college.

The role will assist in the leadership and oversight of undergraduate and graduate affairs, ensuring the delivery of high-quality programs at the forefront of engineering education and fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Collaboration with faculty and staff will allow the associate dean to develop and implement innovative strategies enhancing undergraduate and graduate educational experiences.

The candidate’s passion will be fueled in multiple ways in the role as they will have the opportunity to create and lead new initiatives. The role has involvement in program management, faculty and student support, academic standards, assessment and accreditation, stakeholder engagement, as well as the previously mentioned new initiatives.

Apply now for the position

Surveys

Physical Therapy students seek participants for cardiovascular disease research

The Department of Physical Therapy is conducting a research study to assess the fatigue experienced by people 18 years and older who have cardiovascular disease. The Fatigue Assessment Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief and a short survey collecting demographic information will be combined into a single survey that will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Take the survey

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers requested for research study on SWAY mobile app

Participants are needed to assess the accuracy of the balance, reaction time and cognitive assessment modules of the SWAY mobile application. Balance, reaction time, and cognitive function will be tested using the SWAY application.

Participation will include three separate sessions placed one week (seven to 10 days) apart at the Human Performance Laboratory, 210 Heskett Center. Each weekly session is expected to last about 30-45 minutes.

Inclusion/exclusion criteria:

Participants must be age 18 or older
No known muscular disorders
No known neurological or ADHD disorders
No known orthopedic disorder
No uncorrected vision

Those interested in volunteering to participate in the study should schedule online or contact Justin Burma at jtburman@shockers.wichita.edu or Jose Miranda at jmmiranda1@shockers.wichita.edu.

For any questions or concerns, email Dr. Heidi Bell at heidi.bell@wichita.edu or 316-978-5150.

Volunteers needed for research study on skeletal muscle flexibility

Volunteers are needed to determine whether there is a relationship between tongue muscle performance and skeletal muscle flexibility.

Participants will complete tongue strength and endurance measures using the IOPI device and perform a series of movements to asses flexibility using the DARI Motion Capture system. Participation will include a one-time commitment lasting approximately an hour at the Human Performance Laboratory, 210 Heskett Center.

Inclusion Criteria:

Participants must be age 18 or older
No known neurological disorder or recent oral surgery
No known muscular, orthopedic or functional movement disorder
Not under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol

Those interested in volunteering for this study should schedule online.

For any questions or concerns, contact Jennifer Fernandez at jxfernandez2@shockers.wichita.edu, Zainab Khan at zfkhan@shockers.wichita.edu or Dr. Heidi Bell at heidi.bell@wichita.edu or at 316-978-5150.