Wichita State News: Fun

Car Show set for April 28 on Wichita State campus

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:55:00 CST

The 13th Annual Wichita State University and Midian Shriner's Car Show will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, on Hillside Avenue between 17th and 21st Street North on the WSU campus.

The event is sponsored by the WSU Classified Senate and employees. Proceeds will be donated to the Midian Shrine Plane of Mercy Transportation Fund, which supports the transportation of children in need of medical care to Shrine hospitals across the country.

Early birds pay just $15. Day of show is $20. Goody bags and dash plaques will be awarded for the first 100 entries.

A trophy will be awarded for Best of Show. In addition there will be trophies awarded for President's Choice, First Lady's Choice, Best WSU Employee Vehicle, Best Midian Shriner's Vehicle, Club Participation, Best Motorcycle, Best Daily Driven 1975 and older and Best New Stock 2006 and Newer and Top 25 vehicles.

Registration forms can be downloaded at http://webs.wichita.edu/carshow/.

The Car Show will have food vendors and a DJ on site for all to enjoy. There will be prize giveaways for car show participants and great prizes for drawings. Tickets are available to everyone for $1 each or seven for $5.

All early bird participants will be entered into a drawing to win an additional prize.

For information, call the Car Show information line at 316-978-2886; Lori Evans, 316-978-5691; or David Pate, 316-775-7283 or go to
http://webs.wichita.edu/carshow/.

Podcast: 'Dr. Love' presents pros and cons on online dating

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:00:00 CST

This WSU Newsline Podcast is available at http://www.wichita.edu/newslinepodcast. See the transcript below:

You're listening to the podcast edition of the Wichita State University audio newsline. Learn more about WSU on the Web at wichita.edu.

If you ask a young couple, "Where did you meet?," don't be surprised if they say, "We met online." According to online dating statistics, 40 million people in the United States have tried online dating. Wichita State University's Deborah Ballard-Reisch has researched the subject of communication and relationships for about 20 years and she was once called "Dr. Love" by a Nevada radio station. She says the odds of meeting someone has increased with online dating.

Ballard-Reisch: "There are 54 million single Americans today. Forty million of them are online in one way or another. You have a better chance of meeting Mr. or Ms. Right today than you ever have."

And it appears that more and more people are getting to know each other online.

Ballard-Reisch: "Online dating has become a really common way for people to meet one another and start romantic relationships. Estimates are that one in five romantic relationships start online today."

Of course, the way people used to get to know each other in the past is still the way many people develop relationships today, as Ballard-Reisch explains.

Ballard Reisch: "We used to develop romantic relationships with people we went to school with or knew through church, or family or friends introduced us to, and now we supplement that by meeting people online. And the world of people available to us has exploded exponentially because of that."

But while the opportunity to get to know others has increased because of online dating, people need to be aware of some of the risks, according to Ballard- Reisch.

Ballard-Reisch: "Like any new technology, there are some downsides to online dating, too. One of the biggest is fraud. There are a number of international consortiums that get on online dating sites and pretend to be someone they're not in order to get money out of people. So if someone asks you to send them money, especially out of the country, run."

Ballard-Reisch says language fluency is something to pay attention to in online dating.

Ballard-Reisch: "One of the things to look out for in online dating is that, when people claim language fluency and then they have grammar and syntax and spelling errors, if their language doesn't seem right, it likely isn't."

Ballard-Reisch says to be sure to get more information if you've only gotten to know the person online.

Ballard-Reisch: "This might sound coarse, but so much information is available to us online now. If you're thinking of meeting someone you have met only online, Google them. Use multiple search engines. Consider seeking criminal background checks. Make sure that people are who they say they are. We used to be able to rely on our support networks — our family, our friends, et cetera — to vet people for us, and when we meet people online, we can't do that anymore."

For anyone thinking about trying online dating, Ballard-Reisch offers the following tips.

Ballard-Reisch: "If you decide to meet someone in person that you've spoken with only online, there are some tips and some cautions to be aware of. Always meet in a public place the first few times. Drive yourself. Let your friends and family know where you're going, with whom and when you plan to return. Have a panic word in case you have a quick second to call them if you need help. And keep your phone online so you can be tracked through GPS if necessary. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, get out."

Ballard-Reisch says if you engage in online dating, protect your identity.

Ballard-Reisch: "If you decide to engage in online dating, the first tip is to protect your identity. Don't give information about yourself too quickly. Get to know people before you share with them personal information about who you really are."

Ballard-Reisch says someone who wants to try online dating should choose a site that's consistent with his or her interests.

Ballard-Reisch: "If you decide you want to try online dating, check out multiple sites. There are a lot of them out there now. Figure out what each site is looking for and choose the one that's most consistent with your interests."

It's also a good idea to be yourself when creating an online profile, as Ballard-Reisch explains.

Ballard-Reisch: "In creating your online profile, be yourself. Be clear about what you're looking for, what types of people, relationships and so forth. Include flattering pictures of yourself and reach out to people that you find interesting. Don't wait for them to come and find you."

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Joe Kleinsasser for Wichita State University.

Comedian Bo Burnham coming to Metropolitan Complex

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:36:00 CST

Wichita State's Student Activities Council (SAC) will host Bo Burnham, LIVE! at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at the WSU Hughes Metropolitan Complex at 29th Street North and Oliver. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 for students and $10 for the general public.

The comedy show will feature opening act Cy Amundson and headliner Bo Burnham.

Student tickets may be purchased with a WSU student ID and cash only at Student Involvement, located in the 3rd floor ballroom at the Rhatigan Student Center.

General public tickets may be purchased at Student Involvement, through Select-a-Seat outlets or at the door on the night of the show. Service fees may apply for purchases made through Select-a-Seat.

Coupons for $2 off tickets are also available in Student Involvement, or the promo code "BOSHO" may be used during Select-a-Seat checkout.

Burnham is a YouTube sensation who began his career by recording videos in his attic. He soon took the comedy world by storm, becoming the youngest person to record a Comedy Central special. His newest stage show combines comedy with music, and tackles topics from gender to human sexuality.

To learn more about Bo Burnham, go to www.boburnham.com.

Bo Burnham, LIVE! is sponsored by SAC and funded by the WSU Student Government Association.

Student Activities Council to host 'Comedy Central on Campus'

Fri, 6 Apr 2012 08:20:00 CST

Wichita State University's Student Activities Council will host "Comedy Central on Campus" at 8 p.m. Friday, April 20, in the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex. The event will feature three comedians: TJ Miller, Jerrod Carmichael and Nick Vatterott.

Admission is $3 for WSU students with ID, $5 for WSU faculty/staff with ID, $7 for the general public, and $7 at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance in 219 Rhatigan Student Center.

'Comedy Central' performers:

TJ Miller has been named one of Variety's "Top 10 Comics to Watch," as well as one of Entertainment Weekly's "Next Big Things in Comedy."

His most recent film was "Our Idiot Brother." Miller also is in production on the comedy "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World," and he recently signed on to the film "Road to Nardo."

Additionally, Miller co-starred in "She's Out of My League," and he voiced the character Tuffnut in "How to Train Your Dragon." Miller also had a role in the comedy feature "Get Him to the Greek."

Jerrod Carmichael is a Los Angeles-based standup performer originally from Winston-Salem, N.C. He has been crafting his standup for more than three years, and this year was featured in Variety as being one of the top 10 comics to watch, as well as being one of the New Faces at the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival.

Carmichael is a regular around some of LA's favorite standup shows, including Meltdown, The Improv, Laugh Factory and many alternative rooms.

Nick Vatterott performed in 2010 on "Late Night" with Jimmy Fallon. "The Hollywood Reporter" named him one of the "break-outs" of the New Faces showcase at Montreal's Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.

Vatterott has performed all over the world, from Caroline's in NYC's Times Square to Old City Comedy Club in Istanbul's Taksim Square. He has toured with Chicago's storied Second City comedy theater, and his sketch group "Heavyweight" has performed at Second City's Unhinged and the Toronto Just for Laughs Festival.

Vatterott's portrayal of "Don" in The Annoyance Theater's production of the necrophiliac musical "Love is Dead" earned him an After Dark Award for Outstanding Performance in a Play.

NIT Championship celebration set for 5 p.m.

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 00:00:00 CST

Wichita State will celebrate the 2011 NIT Championship at approximately 5 p.m. Friday, inside Charles Koch Arena. The event is open to the public.

Fans will not be able to greet the team at the airport, as the team will arrive by charter flight, and bus directly to the NIT Championship celebration.

11th Annual Car Show planned at Wichita State

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:08:00 CST

The 11th Annual Wichita State University and Midian Shriner's Car Show will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 3, in the Charles Koch Arena parking lot at 21st Street North and Hillside Avenue on the WSU campus. The event is sponsored by the WSU Classified Senate and employees.

Proceeds will be donated to the Midian Shrine Plane of Mercy Transportation Fund, which supports the transportation of children in need of medical care to Shrine hospitals across the country.

Early birds pay just $15. Day of show is $20. Goody bags and dash plaques will be awarded for the first 100 entries.

A trophy will be awarded for Best of Show. In addition, there will be plaques awarded for President's Choice, First Lady's Choice, Best WSU Employee Vehicle, Best Midian Shrine Vehicle, Club Participation and Top 25 vehicles.

Certificates will be awarded for Most Unique, Best Emergency Vehicle, Best Motorcycle, Best Competition, Best Daily Driven 1975 and older, and Best New Stock 2006 and newer.

Registration forms can be downloaded from the website at http://webs.wichita.edu/carshow/.

The car show will have food vendors and a DJ on site. There will be prize giveaways for car show participants and prizes for drawings. Tickets are available to everyone for $1 each or seven for $5. All early-bird participants will be entered into a drawing to win an additional prize.

For information, call the car show information line at (316)-WSU-AUTO (316) 978-2886; Lori Evans, (316) 978-5691 or David Pate, (316) 775-7283 or go to http://webs.wichita.edu/carshow/.

WuShock celebrates Squirrel Appreciation Day

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:04:00 CST

WuShock took time out of his busy schedule to recognize Squirrel Appreciation Day today (Friday, Jan. 21) by handing out squirrel treats to his furry friends on campus.

"I want to ensure that the squirrels that grace our campus are staying well fed this winter," said WuShock.

One super-sized squirrel especially appreciated WuShock's generosity. (see photo)

WuShock points out that Wichita State is home to more than 14,000 students and squirrels galore.

A number of WSU staff have helped feed squirrels, and students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus have enjoyed watching the squirrels scurry around campus for years.

If you want to learn more about squirrels, go to http://www.squirrels.org/faq.html.

Heskett Center hosting annual 5K Pumpkin Run

Wed, 6 Oct 2010 16:06:00 CST

The Wichita State University Heskett Center will host its 15th Annual Pumpkin Run at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, on the WSU campus.

The cost for participating in the 5K run is $10 for students, $15 for faculty/staff and $20 for the public. It's $25 for everyone on the day of the event.

Shirts and prizes are given to runners, as well as pumpkins, turkeys and pies. This event brings more than 250 people to campus.

Participants should come to the Heskett Center lobby on the day of the event.

After 50 years, former WSU staff still gather to play bridge

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:49:00 CST

There's something about working side by side for years that has a way of connecting people for life. For Jean McClure and a group of her former Wichita State co-workers, years after working together they still find time to get together and play -- literally.

McClure, who retired last year from WSU's Center for Management Development after 47 years at Wichita State, is one of the founding members of a group of former staff who meet every month to play bridge.

The other founding members are Betty Brunk Young, a former manager at WSU's credit union, and Phyllis Schneider Brothers, who was in research administration.

They've been playing together since 1962.

McClure says they started getting together on their lunch hour during work. It was a fun way to relax and build friendships at the office.

Over the years members of the group have come and gone, and they have all retired from the university by now. But McClure and seven others found it difficult to give up the fun, and they continue to meet now once a month.

They try to keep the group exclusive to former WSU employees; the WSU Women's Association also has a bridge club, for current staff.

McClure says playing bridge with her friends is still fun after all these years.

"It keeps us connected," she says.

And it's not just about playing bridge anymore. They simply enjoy seeing each other.

A couple of the group member's and former WSU staff, Carol Krebbs and Isabel Gates (mother of U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates), are in their mid-90s. The group makes a point to go to where Krebbs and Gates live to make things easier on them.

"It's probably more fellowship than anything," McClure says. "It keeps our minds going, but it's a connection and friendship over the years that really keeps us going."

Lucky ducks walk plank toward bigger, buggier life

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:01:37 CST

"Each year we have mallard ducks nesting in the native prairie grasses in the planter that's surrounded by a pool," said Patrice Hein, community coordinator for the College of Education, which is housed in Wichita State's Corbin Education Center.

Hein reports nine ducklings this year, the most that longtime dean assistant Claudia Keller remembers, "and she's been here quite a while," Hein said.

Every year, when the ducklings start their struggle to climb out of the pool, Keller calls the Physical Plant. Then, Hein said, a small crew comes over with a "duck dock" – some boards to help the ducklings get in and out of the pool.

"As ducklings get out of the pool, the adults herd them over to the pond on the golf course," she said. Some years, the mama duck leads her ducklings across 21st Street instead, she added, and WSU Police stop traffic to let them cross safely.

As of this writing, the Corbin Education Center has only two ducklings left in the pool. Faculty and staff are cheering them on, Hein said, hoping the duck family is all together soon in the buggy confines of the golf course pond.

Father's Day weekend special at the Lake Afton Public Observatory

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 13:37:53 CST

In honor of Father's Day, Lake Afton Public Observatory is offering free admission to fathers and grandfathers on Friday, June 18, and Saturday, June 19. The observatory is open from 9-11 p.m., and dads or grandpas who are accompanied by a paying child will receive free admission.

The featured program on Father's Day weekend, "Craters and Clouds," will allow observers to view the rocky surface of the moon through the observatory's telescope. The program also compares Venus and Saturn to the moon.

In addition to "Craters and Clouds," observers can scavenger hunt through the solar system, practice landing a spacecraft on the moon or use telescopes to find objects in the night sky.

The observatory is located about 20 miles southwest of downtown Wichita at 247th Street West on MacArthur Road. For more information on admission prices or regular programs contact WSU-STAR (978-7827) or visit http://webs.wichita.edu/lapo/.

Lake Afton Public Observatory is operated by the Fairmount Center for Science and Mathematics Education, a part of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Science at Wichita State University.

'Bring Your Own Telescope' at the Lake Afton Public Observatory

Fri, 4 Jun 2010 16:46:10 CST

The Lake Afton Public Observatory is hosting Bring Your Own Telescope (BYOT) viewings on the third Friday of every month this summer. The observatory, in conjunction with the Kansas Astronomical Observers (KAO), will host free viewings and telescope consultations to anyone interested.

Sessions will be held at 9 p.m. on June 18, July 16 and August 20. To participate, BYOT to the observing pad north of the building. KAO members are providing telescopes and will be waiting to assist you.

The observatory is located approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Wichita at 247th Street West on MacArthur Road. For more information on operating hours, regular programs or admission prices contact WSU-STAR (978-7827) or visit http://webs.wichita.edu/lapo/.

Lake Afton Public Observatory is operated by the Fairmount Center for Science and Mathematics Education, a part of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Science at Wichita State University.

Children, teachers to hit campus for annual Kodaly Choir Camp

Tue, 25 May 2010 11:03:55 CST

The College of Fine Arts fifth annual Children's Kodaly Choir Camp will start Sunday, June 6, and run through Friday, June 11. It's a fun-filled week full of serious education as young singers, ages 10-15, improve their vocal skills and work with leaders and teachers in the WSU Kodaly (pronounced "ko-dye") program.

WSU, in partnership with Kodaly Music Educators of Kansas, began offering the Kodaly camp for kids in summer 2006. The university had become an official site in 2002 for training music teachers in the Kodaly method, created by Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly.

Again this year, the Kodaly choir will have rehearsed under the direction of guest conductor Elaine Quilichini, artistic director of the Calgary Girls Choir in Canada.

The camp ends with a concert at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 11, in Wiedemann Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public; it also will be broadcast on WSUir.

The choir program takes day campers and resident campers, who are housed in WSU residence halls through the week and given campus privileges to the Heskett Center, among other activities.

To enroll, contact Kirk Olson, kodaly@wichita.edu, or the College of Fine Arts Institute at (316) 978-3581 or cfai@wichita.edu.

For more about the children's choirs and the Kodaly Music Educators of Kansas, go to www.kmek.org. Elaine Bernstorf, College of Fine Arts associate dean and professor, is the campus liaison for the Kodaly program.

Wichita State to celebrate fitness; open new public walking path

Wed, 12 May 2010 09:34:57 CST

Wichita State University will celebrate National Employee Health and Fitness Day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that will open a new 1.5 mile marked walking path on campus at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 20.

The ribbon-cutting will take place on the sidewalk at the intersection of Yale and Perimeter Road north of the Heskett Center. Wichita City Council member Lavonta Williams will cut the ribbon with an assist from WuShock. Other dignitaries planning to participate are Mim McKenzie, chair of the Wichita Health and Wellness Coalition; Cheryl Adams, dean of students at WSU; Dan Mehl, director of the Heskett Center; and Sally Beckett and Shelley Rich, Campus Fitness and Wellness staff.

These bronze Shocker Walker markers will mark the 1.5-mile path in quarter-mile increments.

The idea for a walking path on campus was spurred by a Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita's Healthy Perceptions Survey in 2008. Of the 2,000 respondents, fewer than half said that Wichita neighborhoods were designed to encourage walking, and two-thirds said lighting and safety was also a problem.

Wichita State responded to the needs of the community. Beckett wrote a grant in the development of walking groups and $4,889.80 was awarded by The Wichita Community Foundation in partnership with the Health and Wellness Coalition in August 2009.

The Campus Fitness and Wellness staff used a portion of the grant to purchase bronze survey markers to mark a 1.5 mile path around Perimeter Road at WSU in quarter-mile increments. The markers will have a picture of WuShock and the name of the path. This new path will be the only well-lit designated walking path in northeast Wichita. Additional walking paths on campus are expected to be developed in the next year or two.

McKenzie said, "The results from the Healthy Wichita Perception Survey in 2008 showed our community members need safer walking areas, and the Shocker Walker project gives just that. We are thrilled to see a new physical activity opportunity for citizens."

The new WSU walking path has a safe environment with university police and well cared-for sidewalks that are 14 feet wide and accessible for people with disabilities.

"This new walking path is a great way for people in Wichita to get outside, enjoy our beautiful campus and engage in healthy behaviors," said WSU President Don Beggs. "I am proud of the way that Campus Recreation has responded to a need in this community by promoting walking on campus to our neighbors, faculty, staff and students."

AE seniors fly student-designed planes

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:22:18 CST

Wichita State University aerospace engineering majors participated in the "Design, Validate, Compete" challenge Wednesday, April 21, at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

Scott Miller, aerospace engineering professor and chair, said the students are completing the two-semester capstone vehicle design course sequence, in which students are required to design a unique aircraft.

In the sequence, teams of five students begin developing their design in the first semester of their senior year. In the second semester, students build their design and attempt to fly the plane in "Design, Validate, Compete," or DVC, a departmental competition for seniors.

Typically, in most schools, the work is strictly theory and computational in character, Miller said. But some students have been able to build model planes, conduct wind tunnel tests and fly their designs.

Miller said learning increases dramatically when design students go beyond theory. Working as a team to build and fly an airplane has a significant impact.

Aerospace senior Bryan Kissack and his team, Team High Life, had trouble getting their plane to take off.

"Our plane is so small and our engine's got so much torque, it's difficult to get off the ground," Kissack said. "We're contemplating holding the tail, letting it rev and then letting it go."

Team Flight Machine had similar problems. The plane wouldn't get in the air.

But before the end of the semester, 10 student-built airplanes will be flying and competing in two separate competitions –DVC and "Design, Build, Fly," a national aerospace engineering competition.

Planes must use electric power, have a wingspan of three feet or less and carry at least two tennis balls, or simulated people.

The team's score will be calculated by an equation using factors, such as the number of tennis balls flown, creativity, take-off distance and best lap time.

For more information, contact Scott Miller, professor and chair, aerospace engineering at (316) 978-6334 or scott.miller@wichita.edu.