Catching up with 2019 Gore Scholar, Anna Tri
Competing in the 2019 Distinguished Scholarship Invitational and winning a Gore Scholarship allowed Anna Tri to focus on her studies without worrying about the costs of college.
Anna, now a Wichita State sophomore, is studying biomedical engineering with a minor in chemistry and math. Along with her time in the classroom, Anna is able to take advantage of hands-on opportunities at WSU.
“This scholarship has allowed me to continue working on my goals and dreams without the financial burdens,” she said. “I am incredibly grateful for the Gore family's generosity and allowing students to get an education and pursue their goals.”
Know the signs of digital distress
Learning the signs of digital distress can help you recognize when students or friends might be struggling.
- Change in tone: If someone you know suddenly changes their general tone or expresses hopelessness, it may be a sign of distress, especially if they starting talking about death or disappearing.
- Change in frequency: If someone suddenly changes the amount they post or talk — either notable increase or decrease — it may be important to reach out.
- Change in amount appearing on camera: Not appearing in a Zoom class or an online hangout isn’t always indicative of distress, but someone changing the amount they appear could be.
- Distressing environment: If it appears from video calls or online classes that someone’s environment is chaotic or distressing, consider reaching out or connecting them to resources.
- No show: Someone not showing up for class or online hangouts without letting others know could be a sign of distress.
- Unresponsive: Not replying to the group chat isn’t necessarily a sign of distress, but a sudden change or going completely unresponsive could be a sign of distress.
- Disengaged: While on a video call, someone appearing disengaged could be a sign of distress, especially if that’s a sudden change.
Annual conflict of interest disclosure reporting period open through April 30
It is time to complete your annual conflict of interest (COI) disclosure! Pursuant to WSU and Kansas Board of Regents policy, all employees are required to annually disclose certain external interests, activities, and consulting arrangements. This annual reporting period runs from April 1 – April 30. Employees who have not recently submitted a disclosure will be automatically prompted to complete the new COI form. Those who have recently completed a disclosure (after September 15, 2020) will be prompted to verify their existing information. You can access the COI disclosure form on myWSU. Please note that, under WSU policy, all employees are required to keep their disclosures of external interests, activities, and consulting arrangements up to date throughout the year. This means that all employees must disclose job-related external interests as they arise and update disclosed interests if they change. Information about the updated COI processes and disclosure form can be found here. If you don’t see your question, please email COI@wichita.edu.
State employee health plan updates in response to COVID-19
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced four provisions on March 13, 2020, that have been extended until further notice when provided by a network provider for employees and dependents enrolled in medical insurance through the State Employee Health Plan.
- SEHP will cover medically necessary diagnostic tests that are consistent with CDC guidance related to the COVID-19 at no cost share to members, where it is not covered as part of the Public Health Service response.
- SEHP will allow early refills on 30- or 90-day prescription medications and allow members to use their mail order benefit.
- Given the nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, seeking in-person medical care has the potential to further spread the virus. SEHP partners with Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas to provide Telehealth services with a virtual doctor’s office. There is 24/7/365 access to this service. The member cost-share will be waived for any Telehealth service. Aetna members: Teledoc; Blue Cross Blue Shield members: Amwell.
- For plan participants that reside in the Topeka area, the HealthQuest Health Center, available to members enrolled in the health plan, is located at 901 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka
COVID-19 testing is currently available for all state employees, all employees of active non-state employers, and all spouses and dependents older than 10 years of age covered by the State Employee Health Plan at the HealthQuest Health Center. Curbside testing is available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call 785-783-4080.
To schedule a telehealth appointment, SEHP members can call (785) 783-4080 or click here.
For all up to date information regarding COVID-19 and the WSU campus please visit www.wichita.edu/covid19.
Be a #WSUWeSupportU mental health advocate
#WSUWeSupportU Mental Health in the Classroom cards are a great way to include mental health in your class every week. Get your set and learn more about how to be a #WSUWeSupportU Mental Health Advocate by visiting wichita.edu/Advocate.
WWSU scholarship applications due May 31
WWSU scholarship applications for the 2021-2022 academic year must be received by May 31.
Candidates must apply for consideration to this scholarship. The fillable form can be found at www.wichita.edu/WWSUscholarship, and should be submitted by email to WWSU@wichita.edu, along with all other required attachments (see application for additional materials).
Candidates will receive written notification of their award status in late June.
Recipients are encouraged to attend at least one WWSU event during the 2021-2022 school year as our guest.
For more information, go to www.wichita.edu/WWSUscholarship. If you have questions please contact Shannon Koehn, scholarship chair at shannon.koehn@wichita.edu.
Ahlberg, Elliott halls to have no heat April 19-23
The steam to Ahlberg Hall and Elliott Hall will be turned off Monday, April 19 to facilitate a repair on the steam lines that feed these buildings. Repairs are expected to be completed by Friday, April 23.
Water shutdowns planned for today
The City of Wichita will be replacing two water meters on today. The buildings affected will be the Flats, the Aviation Testing Lab, Beggs Hall, the Beech Wind Tunnel, and Wallace Hall. The outage will last from about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this time, these buildings will not have water service — including restrooms, water fountains, and sinks.
There's a possibility the outage may affect additional buildings. We appreciate your patience.
Vote for a new dining concept in the RSC
Which new dining concept do you want to see in the Rhatigan Student Center starting Fall 2021? Learn about your options and then vote!
Tuesday Talks: Sexual Assault Awareness Month
In this Tuesday Talks, join Heather Stafford and Meredith Osborne from the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center (WASAC) to discuss resources available to all individuals in the community dealing with trauma, as well as resources available specifically to Wichita State students.
Physics seminar: Secrets of neutrino interactions
Please join us for the next physics seminar at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 via ZOOM, featuring Dr. Linda Cremonesi from Queen Mary University, London in the United Kingdom. The title of the talk will be “The Secrets of Neutrino Interactions in the NOvA Experiment”.
![Rie Bloomfield Organ Series Marcussen organ in Wiedemann Hall. 2020-2021 season Distinguished Guest Artists. 25th Anniversary RBOS Gala (postponed from 2020) Brett Valliant and Tate Addis April 20, 2021 at 7:30 pm Tickets at Wichita.edu/academics/fine_arts/boxoffice [WSU logo] All concerts will be live-streamed +/or recorded for our YouTube channel For information on WSU’s degrees and certificate in organ, email lynne.davis@wichita.edu or visit Wichita.edu/riebloomfieldorganseries YouTube link (optional).](/about/wsunews/shocker_blast/2021/04-april/_images/RBOS.jpg "Rie Bloomfield Organ Series Marcussen organ in Wiedemann Hall. 2020-2021 season Distinguished Guest Artists. 25th Anniversary RBOS Gala (postponed from 2020) Brett Valliant and Tate Addis April 20, 2021 at 7:30 pm Tickets at Wichita.edu/academics/fine_arts/boxoffice [WSU logo] All concerts will be live-streamed +/or recorded for our YouTube channel For information on WSU’s degrees and certificate in organ, email lynne.davis@wichita.edu or visit Wichita.edu/riebloomfieldorganseries YouTube link (optional).")
RBOS 25th Anniversary Gala at Wiedemann Hall
2020 marked the 25-year anniversary of the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series. Due to the pandemic, the original concert was postponed until this year. Thus the Gala 25th Anniversary of the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series will be celebrated on at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2021 in Wiedemann Hall. You may attend in person (tickets at the CFA Box Office) or watch the live stream on the WSU School of Music Facebook page.
Distinguished guest artists are Wichita-born Brett Valliant and Tate Addis, well-known for their virtuoso performances. A varied program includes works by Bach, Guilmant and Dupré as well as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and a grand finale on both the great Marcussen organ and the Steinway piano.
Manage your sales tax like a pro
The Kansas SBDC presents the following no-cost webinars:
- State Tax Webinar from 9 a.m. to noon April 29: Carl York with the Kansas Department of Revenue will give you the basics in this free webinar. Topics include sales and compensating use taxes, tax forms and how to file them, estimated taxes, and recordkeeping.
- State Tax Webinar for Construction Contractors from 1 to 3 p.m. April 29: Carl York with the Kansas Department of Revenue will focus on sales tax issues for construction contractors and subcontractors, including those who provide services such as plumbing, carpentry, electrical, roofing, HVAC, and landscaping. Learn about applying sales tax to materials and labor, Project Exemption Certificates, tax returns, billing, and more.
Register for the sales tax seminar
The Big Lie: Nazi propaganda, Antisemitism, and the coming of the Third Reich
Jeff Hayton, associate professor of history, will present at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 via Zoom. Andrew Hippisley, dean of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, hosts the "Perspectives: Reestablishing Reality" series.
After losing the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, Donald Trump spent months falsely claiming the election had been stolen from him. And despite all evidence to the contrary, many of his followers believe him (still). The historical parallel to this conspiracy were Nazi efforts to blame Jews for German defeat in WWI. During the 1920s and 1930s, the Nazis fulminated against the Jewish ‘traitors’ and ‘November Criminals’ who supposedly ‘stabbed Germany in the back,’ and through such falsehoods, generated tremendous popular support. In both cases, propaganda was essential in magnifying dishonest claims. In exploring how the Nazis used ‘the Big Lie’ to gain support, this talk examines the role which propaganda and antisemitism played in the coming of the Third Reich, and the lessons which historical comparisons can provide for the present.
Zoom information available at www.wichita.edu/reality.
Philosophy Department announces Distinguished Speaker Series
The Philosophy Department Distinguished Speaker Series will this year host Dr. Kathryn Tabb from Bard College, for two talks:
- "Reasoning with the Mad: on Charles Darwin's strange debt to John Locke." 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22.
- "John Locke on punishment." 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 29.
Both events will be online, free, and open to the public. Email brian.hepburn@wichita.edu to request access information.
Re-envisioning Assessment at Wichita State
Let's end the semester re-envisioning assessment of student learning here at Wichita State. Join Dr. Gianina Baker of the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment for a presentation encouraging attendees to reflect on the lessons learned this past year in the midst of a pandemic, to explore how we might think differently about assessing students in the semesters ahead, and to share the needs of faculty and staff working toward a student-focused institution. Baker's virtual presentation is at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 20.
Help your students focus on the positive
It has continued to be a challenging year, but we have all learned many important things about ourselves. Helping people understand the good things that have come out of this past year can help improve their overall perspective. One quick thing you can ask students, co-workers or friends to do is focus on the positive. Have them think about five positive traits about themselves, five positive things about their college or work experience or five positive things that happened over the past week. This and other strategies you can use in and out of the classroom can be found in the Mental Health in the Classroom cards available through the #WeSupportU program in Counseling and Prevention Services.
UP, USS senate meeting scheduled for April 20
The next UP and USS Senates joint meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 20 via Zoom. All meetings are open to the campus community. If you are interested in attending the virtual meeting, please email Kayla Jasso at kayla.jasso@wichita.edu for the Zoom link.