Campus Connection: May 5, 2020

Retired B1-B will arrive in Wichita soon for Air Force research project

A new research partnership between Wichita State University’s (WSU) National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and the U.S. Air Force will create a virtual B-1 Bomber that could help the Air Force predict the future of its supersonic bombers.

The project, sponsored by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center B1 Division, will study the effects of flight operations on aircraft structures. The NIAR team will fully disassemble the aircraft, scan every individual structural part down to the nuts and bolts, and reassemble the virtual aircraft parts to create a digital twin. The program will provide the Air Force with unprecedented information on the B-1B, allowing for the evaluation of damage or changes to aircraft usage in order to repair, modify design or structural inspection intervals, and/or reevaluate the design life of the aircraft.

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Pandemic series speaker to discuss his work on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics

Bill Groutas

Making sense of the issues surrounding the coronavirus can be challenging. Faculty experts in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wichita State University are helping clear the confusion.

The last talk in the Perspectives on the Pandemic series is "In search of a COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics," by Bill Groutas, WSU Foundation Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. His presentation at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, will briefly review coronaviruses, their life cycle, and state-of-the art progress in the development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics, as well as the use of repurposed drugs. Lastly, progress by his research group related to the discovery of inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication, will also be discussed briefly.

LAS COVID-19 Series

Kansas businesses can learn about the new cybersecurity rules for selling to DoD

 

Cybersecurity certification auditing will be required of all companies selling to the Department of Defense (DoD) and to prime contractors beginning later this year. The Kansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at Wichita State University is bringing one of the first training sessions on this certification to Kansas business in a Thursday, May 14 program. The program will be presented by Project Spectrum, which has been chosen by the DoD to make presentations across the country regarding the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.

Senior Cybersecurity Expert Nathan Magniez will lead the program to begin educating Kansas businesses on what they need to do to make their business comply with the audits to that will be done by approved auditors, before a company can sell their goods or services to the DoD.

Wichita State historian compares COVID-19 with past pandemics

George Dehner might take exception to those who say the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented.

“This pattern of the appearance of a novel infection that spreads pandemics is as old as a human story. Once we began to settle in the towns and be connected to larger groups of populations that can sustain this sort of rapid infection element like a virus or some other thing, you have pandemics,” said Dehner, associate professor of history at Wichita State University.

Nor would Dehner say that the pandemic was entirely unexpected.

“COVID-19 itself was not predicted, but something like COVID-19 has been predicted for 25 years. COVID-19 is not a surprise to people who have been doing this sort of modeling” he said. “You can't pick which one it will be, but the fact that some sort of animal disease leapt into the human population and spread globally would not come as a surprise to anybody who does that sort of research.”

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Invitation extended by Councilman Brandon Johnson, Wichita City Council, District 1

 

Attention Shockers!

Do you want to add your voice to conversations about community development happening both near and around our campus?!

Do you know what Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are and how they can help support the needs of WSU’s students, faculty, staff and neighbors?

Do you believe that it is important for those who live, work, or play in the community to have a voice in what happens there?

During the next six weeks, a committed group of community residents will host Virtual CBA Focus Groups to discuss all these questions and more.

Sign up today to participate and have your voice be heard!

Focus group sign-up

Relief fund established to help local creatives affected by COVID-19

• An emergency relief fund has been set up for Wichita-area creatives who have been financially affected by the current pandemic. 
• Applications are reviewed every Thursday, and $500 grants will be given to those who show the most need.
• To qualify, applicants must meet a list of requirements.

Pictured above: Mary Alexis Wirths, a fund recipient and senior WSU ADCI student studying community and social practice, helps build a class sculpture.

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Allegiant has top performance in 2020 Airline Quality Rating

Dean Headley

The 30th annual Airline Quality Rating results show an industry that had a performance decline for 2019. Results released today (Monday, May 4) reflect poorer industry performance in all four of the criteria tracked for calendar year 2019.

The AQR is a joint research project by co-researchers Dr. Dean Headley and Dr. Brent Bowen. This research originated at the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas.

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SBDC offers webinar series in May

The Kansas SBDC will offer two “Succeeding in the New Normal” webinar series this month.

For more information, go to http://www.wichita.edu/ksbdcworkshops.

Enjoy free online self-paced courses!

The Wichita State University Office of Workforce, Professional and Community Education in partnership with Ed2Go is excited to announce free professional development opportunities to the community. Ten free self-paced tutorial courses are now offered to you at no cost!

Free self-paced courses include:  

• Creating Web Pages
• Creating WordPress Websites
• Fundamentals of Supervision and Management
• Twelve Steps to a Successful Job Search
• Keys to Effective Communication
• Managing Customer Service
• Marketing Your Business on the Internet
• Personal Finance
• Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
• Individual Excellence

How to Register 

To register and view the courses, click here. To take advantage of this special opportunity, you must select the courses titled, Free Self-Paced Tutorial.

Courses are available through Tuesday, June 30.

For more information or questions, contact jennifer.harry@wichita.edu.

Wichita State's Usha Haley in Bloomberg Businessweek on global regulation affecting multinationals

Bloomberg Businessweek approached Usha Haley, W. Frank Barton Distinguished Professor in International Business, Professor of Management and Director of the Center for International Business Advancement, for her views on the post-COVID regulatory environment.

Usha Haley's predictions on imminent global regulation as it affects the operations of multinational corporations, based on her research and expertise over 30 years in international business, can be accessed here.

If you encounter a paywall, please try here.

Learn how you can make a BIG difference with Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters

Are you ready to be a part of something BIG? Learn more about Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters during Kansas' BIGgest Virtual Info Session ever at 11:30 a.m. today (Tuesday, May 5). Register today for the free webinar; space is limited.

There are currently more than 1,500 Littles waiting for a Big across the state of Kansas. Will you join the more than 100 Wichita State faculty, staff and students already involved by being a friend to the youth in need? For more information visit KansasBigs.org.

KMUW podcast presents ‘Hindsight: Looking Back at 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage’

“Hindsight: Looking Back at 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage” is a year-long podcast series from KMUW, hosted by Wichita State University's Dr. Robin Henry. A blend of historical context and conversations with scholars, politicians, and activists, Hindsight aims to educate, entertain, and help listeners gain a better understanding of women’s diverse voices and roles in US history. Episode 2: Conflict & Compromise is out now. Listen at kmuw.org and wherever you get your podcasts.

Hindsight Podcast Series

Hindsight: Conflict and Compromise

To the stars, student defies odds

Just 10 percent of aerospace engineering majors are female. Black women make up less than a fraction of a percent in the field. Khristian Jones is undeterred by the odds. She aspires to be an astronaut.

“As an eighth grader, I knew that I was talented in math and science, had a love for space and wanted to be a part of the space community,” Jones said. “I just had to figure out a way to put those things together.”

Her research led her to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering at Wichita State University. It represented a big change from her hometown of Chicago, but she’s adjusted to the smaller city.

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A letter from Misty Bruckner for Public Service Recognition Week

Bruckner family lore dictates that spreading mulch around plants and trees in one of the worst household chores there is. So, after appropriately avoiding human contact to get his truckload of mulch, my husband made the dreaded announcement: “Mulch spreading at 2:00.” I don’t know whether it’s the mulch in the socks or mulch dust in the eyes, but disdain was palpable from the teenage children… okay, and from me.

So gloved and ready, imagine my surprise to find my gleeful eight-year-old in the truck bed, joyfully announcing, “I’m Rakeman. It’s a huge promotion. I didn’t even have a title last year.”

The enthusiasm for my son’s new title gave me pause to think of all the millions of people across the country taking on new titles as public servants.

Mother's Day Brunch Kit

WSU Dining is offering a Mother’s Day Brunch Kit with contactless delivery to your house on Saturday, May 9! It includes a DIY quiche, cheesy hashbrown casserole, cinnamon rolls and more, plus additional add-on options available.

For more information, click here. To order, call 316-978-5863 or email wsucatering@compass-usa.com.

KMUW News has daily updates on COVID-19 in Kansas

As news regarding the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly changes, KMUW News is compiling daily updates. At KMUW.org, you'll find the latest information, including the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas broken down by county.

KMUW COVID-19 Updates

University Libraries is helping with State Library Card signup

Get a State Library of Kansas card easy! Email us at librarystaff@wichita.edu with your full name (including middle initial), email address and date-of-birth.

See all the online resources available at http://kslib.info.

Mother's Day Sale

Looking to find some great gifts for the Shocker moms in your life? The Shocker Store is having a Mother’s Day Sale online at shockerstore.com from May 3-9. It will feature select products at awesome prices! May not be combined with other discounts or promotions.

Volunteers needed for a research study

 

Test-Retest of the SWAY Mobile Application: Telemedicine Approach

Purpose of the study: To assess the accuracy of the balance, reaction time and cognitive assessment modules of the SWAY mobile application through a telemedicine approach using virtual Zoom meetings and a SMART device.

Procedures: Participants balance, reaction time, and cognitive function will be tested using the SWAY application using a SMART device and receiving instruction through a virtual zoom session.

Time: Participation will include three separate sessions placed one week apart. Each weekly session is expected to last about 30 minutes.