Category: Events and Recreation

Dr. Steven Skinner, interim dean of the College of Engineering and professor of electrical engineering, is retiring after 35 years with Wichita State. Help celebrate his service to the university and his next adventure at a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, June 18 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

Save the date for an action-packed event at the third annual WSU Faculty/Staff Olympics. Call your dynamic team together to compete in an exciting competition for all ages and athletic ability levels from 10 a.m. to noon July 30 at Ablah Library.

Don’t miss your chance to showcase your skills by competing in fun games for bragging rights and prizes. Register your team of four, or sign up as an individual and you will be assigned to a team.

All WSU employees, including student employees, are welcome to participate. Keep an eye on WSU Today to catch when registration opens.

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub (UReCA) is hosting a research social in the summer. Research socials provide students and faculty the opportunity to connect, build relationships and learn more about campus life and different academic departments.

These events create a welcoming space for undergraduate students to meet new people, play games, enjoy light snacks and engage with faculty in a relaxed and supportive environment. Join the social from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 16 in Ablah Library’s Digital Scholars Commons, behind the front desk.

Faculty and staff are invited to join a weekly 45-minute wellness run hosted by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Human Resources, and Staff Senate. Participants are encouraged to adjust distance, pace and intensity based on their individual needs and comfort levels. Pacing groups will be offered when possible, with the goal of encouraging movement, wellness and connection in a supportive environment.

Interested? Meet at 4 p.m. every Wednesday at the Rhatigan Student Center patio from June 3 through July 29.

For more information, email Ben Flowers at benjamin.flowers@wichita.edu.

Faculty and staff are invited to join a weekly mindful meditation group hosted by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Human Resources and Staff Senate. Through guided meditation, mindful breathing and moments of quiet reflection, participants can reduce stress, improve focus and cultivate a greater sense of balance and well-being. No prior experience is necessary, just a willingness to slow down and be present.

The group will meet at the Rhatigan Student Center patio from 10:15 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday, June 2-July 28. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mat or blanket.

For more information, email Ben Flowers at benjamin.flowers@wichita.edu.

Head out to downtown Wichita and show off your Shocker pride at FutureFest with Wichita State, WSU Tech and NIAR, alongside other members of the campus community, from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6 in front of Century II, 225 W. Douglas Ave., part of this year’s Riverfest.

Booths will be stationed just north of Century II, featuring interactive exhibits, such as:

• Hands-on STEM demos
• Mock Shocker rowing races and lessons on machines
• Games and trivia with prizes
• And more

Strap on some comfortable shoes for an opportunity to build connections with fellow colleagues and deepen your knowledge of WSU at 11 a.m. Monday, June 8 starting at Woolsey Hall.

The group will stop midway at the Rhatigan Student Center north patio around noon to take a break, enjoy lemonade and allow people to exit or join the tour. You don’t want to miss this event presented by Staff Senate and hosted by WSU Landscape and Ground Maintenance with a special guest appearance along the way. The tour will highlight the amazing work of Landscape and Ground Maintenance, the significance of the different landscapes and gardens, and plant identification and information.

Sticking close to home this Memorial Day weekend? Round up the family for a free afternoon of art-fueled fun from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 23 at the Ulrich Museum of Art. Enjoy docent-led tours, create a magical instrument with artist Meghan Miller and pitch in as the Ulrich Museum completes its entry for the Wichita Riverfest Sundown Parade. Everyone is welcome at this free, all-ages event.

Join Veteran Student Support Services for a weekly coffee hour held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. every Friday in 320 Grace Wilkie Hall. This informal, drop-in gathering is open to all students and staff and is designed to build community, foster connections and provide a welcoming space to relax, study or grab a cup of coffee. Whether you stay for a few minutes or the full hour, all are welcome.

For more information on Veteran Student Support Services, visit wichita.edu/vsss or call Stacia Lyday, director, at 316-978-6749.

The campus community is invited to a special celebration to mark the official opening of NIAR’s new Hub for Advanced Manufacturing and Research (HAMR) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 11.

Experience self-guided tours of the premier 170,000 square foot research, development and training facility powering the next wave of innovation in emerging technology, advanced materials, digital twin, advanced machining, additive manufacturing, automated fiber placement and factory automation.