Reminders, deadlines and events Reminders, deadlines and events

* The 2016 fall semester Faculty and Staff Kickoff will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, in the RSC Beggs Ballroom. Reconnect with colleagues, meet new ones and hear from President Bardo about the issues and opportunities the university is facing in the new academic year. The formal session will last an hour, followed by an hour to share ideas, socialize and snack.

* The Pivot Open Lab scheduled for Thursday, July 28, has been moved to 2:30-4 p.m. Friday, July 29, in 405 Jardine Hall. Pivot allows faculty and staff to input their research interests and receive automatic notifications when funding opportunities matching their interests are available. The lab is designed to assist in setting up a Pivot account or answer questions regarding existing accounts. Additional labs will be held Thursday, Aug. 25, and Thursday, Sept. 22. No registration is necessary. For more information, contact Sarah Haug at 978-6803 or funding@wichita.edu.

* A biannual orientation program has been scheduled for new, benefits-eligible university support staff and unclassified professional staff on Tuesday, Aug. 2. The orientation program provides employees hired within the previous six months an opportunity to learn more about WSU. To register, go to myWSU Faculty/Staff tab and select myTraining. Please register by Friday, July 29. Contact Sheryl Propst at 978-6926 or sheryl.propst@wichita.edu, if you have questions.

* The Red Cross will host a blood drive from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, in the Heskett Center lobby. All presenting donors will be entered into a raffle for a $100 gift certificate. To make an appointment, call 1-800-Red-Cross or go online to http://www.redcrossblood.org

* The WSU Alumni Association is hosting a Shocker event featuring soccer, food and fun as Sporting KC takes the field against the San Jose Quakes at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at Children's Mercy Park, One Sporting Way in Kansas City, Kansas. Come early to tailgate at 1 p.m. on Sprint Plaza, located on the west side of Children's Park. The cost for a game ticket and tailgate access for WSU Alumni Association members is $50. The cost for nonmembers is $55. RSVP by Monday, Aug. 1, to sean.zeller@wichita.edu. The payment deadline is Friday, Sept. 16, at wichita.edu/kcrsvp. For more information, contact Sean Zeller at sean.zeller@wichita.edu or 978-3874.

* The Food Truck Plaza is open, and every weekday there are new options for your eating pleasure. To see the daily schedule, go to http://www.wichita.edu/foodtrucks or follow us on Twitter (@WSUFoodTrucks) or Facebook (@WichitaStateFoodTruckPlaza).