December 2020
2020 shines with Wichita State innovation
Hello, Shocker Nation.

I think most of us will agree that 2020 has been an unprecedented year of curveballs, uncertainty, and tumult. But, as a proud member of Shocker Nation, I can’t help but to be impressed with the innovation, determination, and pure grit that I’ve seen blossom from Wichita State University in the face of extraordinary circumstances.

When COVID-19 came to Kansas in March of this year, Shocker Nation didn’t miss a beat.

  • Our campus community flipped on a dime to a fully online format in an effort to keep our faculty and students healthy. Those efforts continue today and will continue for as long as necessary with safety measures, such as wearing face coverings, social distancing, and hybrid or online learning formats.

  • Our Shocker innovators and business partners came together to collect and manufacture PPE and disposable stethoscopes to protect our health care workers.

In the News at Wichita State
'Walk with Wu' celebrates 125 years of Wichita State
In honor of Wichita State University's 125th anniversary, three Wichita State faculty members have teamed up with an alumna artist to create "A Walk with Wu," a graphic novel that chronicles the university's rich history through the eyes of our beloved mascot: WuShock.

“We hope that readers will appreciate the different phases of Wichita State’s story and how we have changed while maintaining the core of who we are," said Dr. Jay Price, professor of history and one of the book's authors.

It's the perfect gift for all Shockers. The books, which sell for $12, are available in the Rhatigan Student Center Shocker Stores beginning Dec. 2.
Wichita State celebrates more than 1,200 fall 2020 grads
Even though our fall 2020 commencement ceremony has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we celebrate our more than 1,200 degree-eligible graduates. While things may look a little different this year, Shocker Nation is as proud as ever to honor this fall’s graduating class.
NIAR receives $13.7 million from Air Force for composite research
The U.S. Air Force awarded Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research $13.7 million for composite research. This is the second phase of funding for this project, which also included $23.5 million in 2019.

NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS) is leading the project through partnerships with AFRL researchers, defense contractors, and university partners.

The program will enhance tools for manufacturing next-generation advanced integrated composite airframe structures using automated technology, machine-learning and artificial intelligence algorithms.
Wichita State to award 20 scholarships worth up to $20,000 to new students
Incoming freshmen and transfer students have an opportunity to receive up to $20,000 as part of Wichita State University’s new Shocker Adelante Scholarship. The scholarship is part of the $1 million gift from Gene and Yolanda Camarena, which was announced earlier this year. Adelante, which translates to forward in Spanish, is available to students with a 3.0 GPA or higher. A total of 20 Adelante Scholars will be selected, and preference will be given to African American and Latinx students.
Wichita State researchers address health disparities, obesity
A team of researchers at Wichita State University is working to promote health equity among vulnerable populations. The all-woman, cross-disciplinary team is focusing its initial efforts on issues related to obesity among underrepresented groups.

This project is one of four awardees of Wichita State University’s Convergence Sciences Initiative, which is an effort to bring together the intellectual curiosity and strengths of faculty and students from a range of disciplines and give them the support to develop research programs that drive the diversity and growth of the Kansas economy while addressing global challenges. Winners of the Convergence Sciences awards will be given $300,000 over three years.
Shocker alums advance to top 10 in $1 million XPRIZE's global mask challenge
Three Wichita State University alumni are in the running to win $1 million as part of the Next-Gen Mask Challenge sponsored by XPrize. They were chosen from a field of 1,000 teams from 30 countries. Spencer Steinert, Jared Goering and Maggie Koops teamed up to address a challenge created by XPrize: to craft a face mask addressing the obstacles that deter people from wearing them and promote positive mask-wearing behavior. 
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