Wichita State News: Community

High school teachers receive free resources and training

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:20:00 CST

The Kansas Council for Economic Education (KCEE) and the Wichita State University Center for Economic Education are organizing a free event, "Financial Fitness Extravaganza," June 18-20.

The event is aimed at providing ay Kansas high school teachers with all the resources, along with training, needed to teach a full semester personal finance course.

Read full story.

Wichita State University unveils strategic plan

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:45:00 CST

Strategic Plan background

A strategic plan defines the future of an organization. Wichita State University's strategic plan will shape the future of the university, guide decision-making and determine resource allocations.

The new plan will be used to guide the next phase of strategic planning at Wichita State University. In the next phase, all departments will create plans appropriate to their areas that respond to the institution's strategic plan.

Changes in direction and resource allocations are likely as everyone on campus strives to accomplish the lofty vision and the big audacious goals set out by the institution's strategic plan.

John Bardo

On Sept. 5, 2012, Wichita State University President John Bardo kicked off a campus and community-wide strategic planning process for the university. He appointed a steering committee composed of WSU faculty, staff and students, along with leaders from the larger Wichita community, and charged them with developing a strategic plan for Wichita State University.

Since that time, the steering committee received thousands of comments from students, faculty, staff, community leaders, business people and others with a stake in the future of WSU, Wichita and the region. The goal of the steering committee was to use this input to map a strategic course for the university. To create a new strategic plan the steering committee thoughtfully analyzed this large body of work. The result is a phenomenal integration of the comments received to create an exciting and energizing strategic direction for Wichita State University.

The steering committee's work is almost complete with today's (Thursday, April 25) preview of the new strategic plan for Wichita State University. Following several meetings to reveal this new plan to interested groups, a formal document will be finalized in the summer of 2013. The details of the draft plan follow.

The new vision — Wichita State University is internationally recognized as the model for applied learning and research — means that WSU will aspire to be "the model" not simply "a model" for requiring students to apply their skill sets in practical or real world contexts.

The new mission — The mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good — identifies WSU's unique niche in the higher education system of Kansas.

Goal 1: Guarantee an applied learning or research experience for every student by each academic program.

Ensures that every student will study a curriculum that engages them in real world experiences that allows them to develop and apply their skill sets, preparing them for jobs upon graduation.

Goal 2: Pioneer an educational experience for all that integrates interdisciplinary curricula across the university.

Ensures that faculty will work across disciplines to create integrated student experiences to develop students' critical thinking skills and help them make important connections between their fields, society and culture.

Goal 3: Capitalize systemically on relevant existing and emerging societal and economic trends that increase quality educational opportunities.

Ensures a process where all new initiatives exploit relevant existing or emerging trends including social, business, technology, demographic, policy or economic trends that add to the educational opportunities in Kansas.

Goal 4: Accelerate the discovery, creation and transfer of new knowledge.

Improves the educational, cultural and economic well-being of Kansas through increased quantity and quality of research projects that enhance the reputation of WSU, attract funding, or lead to new products by advancing knowledge, producing intellectual property, or transferring knowledge for practical application.

Goal 5: Empower students to create a campus culture and experience that meets their changing needs.

Allows students to create a desired destination campus by stepping away from dictating to students what they should want, or what we think they want, in a student experience.

Goal 6: Be a campus that reflects — in staff, faculty and students — the evolving diversity of society.

Ensures successful fulfillment of WSU's mission by mirroring the variety of types of people found in society.

Goal 7: Create a new model of assessment, incentive and reward processes to accomplish our vision and goals.

Develops an integrated reward system that breaks down the insularity that exists across the colleges on campus.

For full details of the strategic plan see:
http://wichita.edu/wsustrategy.

WSU's Wichita Area Economic Outlook Conference set for Oct. 3

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:16:00 CST

Wichita State University will present Wichita's Economic Outlook 2012 Review and 2013 Forecast at the 34th Annual Wichita Area Economic Outlook Conference from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Century II Convention Hall.

Jeremy Hill

Jeremy Hill, director of WSU's Center for Economic Development and Business Research, will be the main presenter.

The cost of the conference is $95, which includes breakfast.

Registration is not open yet. Check www.agenda.cedbr.org beginning June 1 for speaker and registration information.

For more detailed information, contact Jeremy Hill at 316-978-3225 or jeremy.hill@wichita.edu.

WSU group helps Wichita City Hall reduce electricity use, costs

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:47:00 CST

Wichita State University industrial and manufacturing engineering faculty Bill Wentz, Michael Overcash and Janet Twomey led the Industrial Sustainability Initiative group that collaborated with Wichita City Hall to lower lighting use and cost at the building.

The project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, allowed City Hall's team, led by Rebecca Lewis, environmental services, and Kay Johnson, manager of environmental initiatives, to purchase and install occupancy sensors in offices on eight floors in the building. The Wichita State group analyzed the effects and results of the automatic lights.

The WSU team projected $280,000 in savings over the next 10 years for City Hall—the result of a 10 percent light electricity reduction, or 620,000 pounds less carbon dioxide emissions per year at Westar Energy power plants.

Wichita State College of Engineering's involvement in the project was sponsored by the Sam Bloomfield Chair in Sustainable Engineered Systems—a part of WSU's Sam and Rie Bloomfield Foundation.

New partnership will help students complete degree

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:52:00 CST

Pratt Community College and Wichita State University have signed an agreement intended to motivate more students to complete an associate's degree, even after transferring to a four-year institution.

This reverse articulation agreement promotes best practices for increasing both associate's and baccalaureate degree completion by permitting eligible students to transfer select course work from Wichita State to Pratt Community College to complete requirements for a Pratt associate's degree.

Eligible Wichita State students will:

have transferred 45 credits from Pratt (or a combination of accumulated hours from other accredited institutions).
completed 15 or more credits at Wichita State University.
met residency requirements for a Pratt degree.
have indicated their willingness to participate in reverse transfer.

The implementation of a reverse transfer agreement will help advance the overall goal of the Kansas Board of Regents to increase postsecondary degree completion rates in our state. Nationally, half of all baccalaureate degree recipients have attended community colleges prior to earning their degrees.

"Anytime you can help a student complete an education, it helps both the student and academic program," said Wichita State president John Bardo.

Pratt Community College president William Wojciechowski said the partnership was a natural move.

"Pratt and Wichita State have a long-term partnership and Pratt has been involved in many of WSU's initiatives," he said. "Lots of our students see opportunities at WSU and enter into its programs."

WSU plans next community town hall meeting

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 09:50:00 CST

The Wichita State University Strategic Planning steering committee invites interested people in the greater Wichita area to take part in the community town hall meeting "WSU: Our Mission and Core Values for the Future" from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th St. N. in Wichita.

The meeting is one of the ongoing opportunities to be part of Wichita State's Strategic Planning process.

At this meeting, attendees will be asked for their big, bold, exciting visions for WSU. Additionally, participants will be asked to discuss and react to presented mission concepts and core values.

Community engagement is needed to make this process successful.

Anyone who has a stake in the future of WSU is welcome.

WSU starting entrepreneur program in Butler County

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:41:00 CST

The Wichita State University Center for Entrepreneurship – in partnership with Butler County Economic Development, NetWork Kansas, Augusta Progress Inc. and El Dorado Main Street – is launching a new entrepreneurial certificate in Butler County, Kan.

"Growing Rural Businesses" will start Friday Feb. 1.

To register, go to www.GrowingRuralBusinesses.org or contact Wendy Veatch, director of Outreach Programming, Center for Entrepreneurship, at (316) 978-3000 or wendy.veatch@wichita.edu.

Designed specifically for rural business owners and entrepreneurs, this two-month program provides hands-on, practical solutions and techniques to grow and modernize business ventures in a rural setting.

Tim Pett

"In light of the challenging economic times, every business owner and entrepreneur can improve the performance of their businesses by targeting needed upgrades," said Tim Pett, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship.

The program will include small group exercises, case studies and interactive discussions with peers, facilitators and industry experts.

All sessions are held from 8-11:30 a.m. on Fridays from Feb. 1-Apr. 12, at the Public Safety Facility, 2100 N. Ohio, in Augusta, Kan.

The cost is $200 for the 11-week series.

"Growing Rural Businesses" sessions

Entrepreneurial Mindset for Small Businesss – Feb. 1
The Marketing Plan: The Roadmap for Success – Feb. 8
Developing a Comprehensive Promotional Strategy – Feb. 15
Creating Value for Your Customers – Feb. 22
The Nuts and Bolts of Advertising – March 1
Basic Sales Techniques and Practices for Selling – March 8
Fundamental Tactics and Approaches of Merchandising – March 15
Keeping a Financial Focus: Impact on Marketing and Business Operations – March 22
Getting the Best From Others: The Employee Factor - March 29
Strategies and Skills for Contract Relationships - April 5
Bringing it All Together: Developing an Effective Niche Strategy – April 12

"Wichita State and the Center for Entrepreneurship have designed an educational tool that combines significant expertise with practical solutions that will increase the capacity of the business owner to adapt to the changing needs of its customer," said Erik Pedersen, director of Entrepreneurship Communities, NetWork Kansas. "It's a win-win scenario that helps create a more entrepreneurial community."

For more information on the program, go to http://www.wichita.edu/j/?1741.

WSU grads lead state universities in finding employment in Kansas

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:40:00 CST

Wichita State University had the highest rate among state universities with 73.6 percent of its graduates gaining employment in Kansas one year after graduation, according to data on post-graduation employment in Kansas for graduates between 2007 and 2009.

Using graduation data from the Kansas Board of Regents and employment data from the Kansas Department of Labor, the analysis shows nearly 74 percent of Kansas residents who graduated from one of the 32 public higher education institutions were employed in Kansas one year after graduation.

Wichita State topped the list of state universities in the study for graduates gaining employment in Kansas one year after graduation, followed by Emporia State University at 71.7 percent, Fort Hays State University at 66.6 percent, Pittsburg State University at 57.4 percent, Kansas State University at 54.2 percent and the University of Kansas at 47.2 percent.

One factor leading to the higher employment rate for WSU graduates is the focus by Wichita State to help students gain work experience in their degree field before graduation.

"Research conducted by our office indicates that over the past five years an average of 91 percent of graduates who completed a co-op or internship through our office are working in Kansas," said Connie Dietz, director of WSU's Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning. "Our research further indicates for the same time period that 75.6 percent are employed in a job related to their major."

Bobby Gandu

National research indicates that outcomes and job placement are central factors in the college search process, according to Bobby Gandu, director of undergraduate admissions.

"Students and parents want to know what their educational investment and experience will yield and numbers like these provide a great reason why Wichita State should be on the short list of every student in Kansas," said Gandu.

"The jobs of today and the future require a college education," said Andy Tompkins, president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. "By the end of the decade, more than 60 percent of Kansas jobs will require some level of higher education attainment. By meeting the needs of Kansas employers through highly skilled graduates, higher education supports economic development and offers a sound return on state investment."

Noncredit classes offered at Wichita State

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:24:00 CST

The Wichita State University Office of Continuing Education will offer noncredit classes to the general public for the spring 2013 semester.

WSU has a range of continuing education courses that allow people to learn a variety of topics in a nontraditional classroom setting.

The classes are offered with no academic credit and include no tests or homework. Most are weekly two-hour sessions and last six to 12 weeks. Some short-term classes are also offered.

University professors and community experts teach the classes, which are being held at WSU's Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex and the main, South and West WSU campuses. Online classes are also offered.

For the complete list of classes and their prices, go to http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=noncredit&p=/SpringCourses/.

Local developer wins WSU real estate award

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:31:00 CST

Local real estate developer David Burk has been named the 2012 recipient of the Kansas CCIM Chapter / Wichita State University Center for Real Estate Lifetime Achievement Award.

The honor is awarded annually to an individual who has made as significant contribution to the commercial real estate and/or development industry in Wichita over a long period of time.

Burk is best known as a founding developer of the Old Town Marketplace District in Wichita. He has also been a partner in the WaterWalk development and in Block 1, a public/private partnership that will result in the redevelopment of an entire city block on Douglas in downtown Wichita.

"We owe it to our community and our children to preserve and create an area which both celebrates our rich history and provides us with a uniquely Wichita destination to showcase our city," Burk said.

Burk is the eighth recipient of the award. Previous recipients include Colby Sandlian (2005), Jack Hunt (2006), George Ablah (2007), Jack DeBoer (2008), Nestor & Michael Weigand (2009), Stephen L. Clark (2010) and Herbert L. Krumsick (2011).

WSU, Butler partner on reverse transfer agreement

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:15:00 CST

Butler Community College and Wichita State University signed an agreement intended to motivate more students to complete a key milestone in their higher education journey, an associate degree, even after transferring to a four-year institution.

This reverse articulation agreement promotes best practices for increasing both associate and baccalaureate degree completion by permitting eligible students to transfer select course work from Wichita State to Butler Community College to complete requirements for a Butler associate degree.

John Bardo

"Agreements such as this helps graduation rates for everybody," said Wichita State President John Bardo. "And we know that students who earn an associate degree are more likely to pursue and complete a bachelor's degree."

"Butler measures its success based on the success of our students," said Butler Community College President Jackie Vietti. "We know that one of the best ways to ensure their future success is to complete postsecondary education milestone markers like associate and baccalaureate degrees."

Eligible Wichita State students will: 1. have transferred 45 credits from Butler (or a combination of accumulated hours from other accredited institutions); 2. completed 15 or more credits at Wichita State University; 3. met residency requirements for a Butler degree; and 4. have indicated their willingness to participate in reverse transfer.

"This partnership with Butler Community College greatly enhances the opportunities for students to be academically successful, and it significantly contributes to the national goal of having 60 percent of adults with post-secondary degrees," said WSU Interim Provost Keith Pickus.

The implementation of a reverse transfer agreement will help advance the overall goal of the Kansas Board of Regents to postsecondary degree completion rates in our state. Nationally, half of all baccalaureate degree recipients have attended community colleges prior to earning their degrees.

"Butler values working with Wichita State on this innovative articulation agreement since the vast majority of our students select WSU as their four-year college," Vietti said. "We look forward to this novel initiative as the first of many to meet the interests of the students we collectively serve."

WSU to present 'She Loves Me' with MTW director Wayne Bryan

Fri, 9 Nov 2012 09:31:00 CST

Wayne Bryan

For the fourth consecutive year, Wayne Bryan of Music Theatre of Wichita will direct a Wichita State University musical theater offering.

Bryan will partner with the WSU School of Performing Arts to present the musical "She Loves Me" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29-Friday, Nov. 30, and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in Wilner Auditorium on the WSU campus.

Tickets are $16, with discounts and group rates available, through the College of Fine Arts Box Office at (316) 978-3233 or wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice.

WSU assistant professor Amy Baker Schwiethale will work as Bryan's co-director and choreographer to bring "She Loves Me" to life on stage.

"She Loves Me," with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and a book by Joe Masteroff, is based on Miklos Laszio's play "Parfumerie." Laszio's play, in turn, inspired the movies "The Shop Around the Corner" and, more recently, "You've Got Mail."

It's a warm, romantic musical set in the 1930s as two feuding clerks in a European parfumerie secretly find solace in their anonymous pen pals not realizing they're actually writing each other. This endearing show with old world elegance and nostalgia remains as univeral and relevant as ever in this age of Internet romance. It's also a perfect seasonal favorite as the musical ends with a scene during the Christmas season.

Linda Starkey is doing musical preparation; Philip Taylor will conduct. Costumes are by Rebecca Maholland; set by David Neville; lighting by Jonathan Standridge. Stage manager is Isaac Unruh.

Leading the cast are Ross McCorkell as "Georg," Claire Gerig as "Amalia," Aaron Craven as "Kodaly," Emily Pirtle as "Ilona," Luke Walker as "Sipos," Casey Bagnall as "Arpad" and Caleb Coffman as "Mr. Maraczek."

Included in the ensemble are Michael Allen, Joe Consiglio, Melissa Ford, Anthony Gasbarre, Megan Gill, Rachel Gorman, Gavin Myers, Scott Salem, Brandon Smith, Katelyn Stoss, Ian Sutton, Emily Vargo and Alex Wells.

All welcome to WSU Community Town Hall Meeting

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:52:00 CST

The Wichita State University Strategic Planning Steering Committee invites the public to take part in a community town hall meeting, WSU: Your Hometown University. This meeting is part of an ongoing opportunity to be a part of Wichita State University's Strategic Planning process.

This community meeting will be from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21st St. N. (corner of 21st St. N. and Ridge Road) in Wichita.

The participants at the Strategic Planning kickoff meeting held at WSU on Sept. 5 saw a presentation by WSU President John Bardo outlining the trends influencing universities, followed by small group discussions and reporting on ideas and issues affecting WSU's future.

At the Nov. 5 meeting, participants will discuss their hopes and WSU's future. Participation at the first meeting on Sept. 5 is not required for participation in the Nov. 5 meeting.

The committee would like to hear from anyone who has a stake in the future of WSU. Please attend.

Pioneer Balloon Co. partners with WSU student group

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:19:00 CST

Pioneer Balloon Co., an international balloon manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Wichita, hired Wichita State University's Barton International Group (BIG) to conduct strategic market research in the United States.

BIG is a consulting firm founded and led by undergraduate students in the W. Frank Barton School of Business. The organization provides members with professional experience outside of a classroom setting.

Pioneer Balloon partnered with BIG in September 2011 to explore new business opportunities with Hispanic populations in Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles. In Dallas, members attended the World Balloon Convention, featuring displays by Certified Balloon Artists from the United States and around the world.

"The Barton Group helped us to identify what our options were for breaking into a new market," said Norma Roberts, domestic markets director at Pioneer. "They provided those options, as well as examples of how to take action and what would provide the most return."

Senior Laura Schlapp and junior Blake Krier are two students heavily involved in BIG. Schlapp, an integrated marketing communication major, management minor and BIG's director of marketing, conducted secondary research, attended the convention in Dallas over spring break and presented findings to the company.

"I think this will help me especially in a marketing or PR career because the ability to present and sell your ideas is extremely important," said Schlapp. "Understanding the data is important, but you also have to be able to sell your ideas and explain why your idea is the best, and why your idea will make the company successful."

Although Krier, accounting and finance major and BIG's co-CEO, was not directly involved in the research for Pioneer, he saw how the partnership benefited the students who participated.

"My favorite aspect was getting to see all of our members travel across the country over spring break this past semester," Krier said. "It was fun to see them all get that opportunity and apply the skills they have learned in the classroom."

Building a resume

Previously, BIG has worked with companies such as The Coleman Co., MoJack Distributors and Spirit Aerosystems. In the organization, members receive professional experience by completing projects that give businesses an advantage in the competitive global marketplace.

"Anything that can help build your resume and skill set will help set you apart from other applicants for jobs," said Krier. "Getting involved is also a great way to build your network."

Schlapp, who has been working in the Administration and Finance office at WSU for three years, advises students to gain experience before graduation in university organizations or by enrolling in WSU's Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning program.

"I have found my classroom experience has been enhanced, because when I learn about concepts in the classroom, more often than not, I am able to tie it in with my job or organization," said Schlapp. "I think experience-based learning is important, and WSU gives you many opportunities to learn in the field that interests you the most."

Wichita State to hold Memorial '70 remembrance ceremony

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 20:52:00 CST

At 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, the annual ceremony of remembrance will be held at Wichita State University's Memorial '70, located on Alumni Drive near 18th and Hillside. The ceremony will honor the 31 WSU football players, administrators and supporters who died in a 1970 plane crash in the Rocky Mountains.

An endowed general scholarship was recently created for a WSU student in any major in collective memory of those who perished in the crash. For more information, visit http://www.wichita.edu/j/?1838.

For more information about Memorial '70, go to http://www.wichita.edu/memorial70.

A reception will immediately follow the ceremony in the lobby of Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center.