Wichita State University
From the Dean: #moremeaningfulwork
With great power comes great responsibility, according to Spiderman’s Uncle Ben, a thought often attributed to French philosopher Voltaire and found in political tracts and on motivational posters. It might be difficult to believe that you have great power right now, but you do. We all do. We’ve identified ourselves as ambitious by joining an Honors community. We seek to be models in our communities. We live by the aim to do more meaningful work. You all have risen to this challenge in your own ways over your years at Wichita State, and I am so grateful for the work you do.
Today, I’m echoing a call for leadership made by Dean Arnold to the College of Health Professions and asking everyone in the Honors community to rise to his challenge: Starting now, can we agree to wear a face covering every moment we are not by ourselves in our offices or alone on campus? Here is Dean Arnold’s rationale: “If I unknowingly become an asymptomatic carrier, I’m going to be devastated if I pass the virus on to anyone else. Likewise, if you unknowingly become an asymptomatic carrier…. Well, you understand.”
I pledge to do this on campus and in the community. I ask you to join me.
Please stay in touch and share your joys and concerns with us.
Kimberly Engber, Dean
Reminder: Honors General Faculty Meeting
The Honors General Faculty meeting for all Honors-affiliated and Honors-interested faculty will take place Thursday, May 14th 3:00-4:30pm. A Zoom link with be emailed next week. If you don't receive a link or if you have any questions, please email honors@wichita.edu
Honors College Updates
Graduating Seniors!
The Dorothy & Bill Honors College is doing something especially for you. The Honors College wants to celebrate and congratulate you on graduating this year by putting together an online yearbook! If you are on an Honors Track, have a University Honors Minor or an Honors Baccalaureate please send a Senior picture to @Honors Assistant. Please also fill out the 2020 Honors Graduate Yearbook Form.
Cohen Honors College Student Council applications due May 15th
Applications to serve on the Cohen Honors College Student Council 2020-21 are open. Apply online by May 15th.
The Honors Student Council aims to develop a strong sense of community and common identity among Honors students by providing opportunities and serving as a refuge to all students of the Cohen Honors College. The Council uses innovative approaches to identify and address the challenges and needs of all Honors students and serves as the voice of students through communication with the staff, faculty and Dean of the Cohen Honors College. For information about current members, visit the Student Council page on the college website.
The student council meets every Thursday 5-6pm by Zoom. Visit the Cohen Honors College Facebook page for the link. To bring an idea or concern to the current student council, email aljurgensmeier@shockers.wichita.edu or honorsassistant@wichita.edu .
Book Scholarship Campaign
All Shockers registered for Fall 2020 courses by May 31st will be entered to win a book scholarship for the fall semester!
If you are registered in a minimum of 6 hours, you are entered to win $250!
If you are registered in over 12 hours, you could win up to $500!
Find out more and register today: /services/onestop/book_scholarship.php
CARES Act funds: Students are encouraged to apply now
Students who need financial assistance during the COVID-19 crisis are encouraged to apply for emergency funds provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act by Friday, May 8. The deadline for applications is May 15; however, priority will be given to those who apply by Friday, May 8. Apply here. To determine if you are eligible to receive funding visit the WSU CARES Act Student Funding website. You can also reach out to the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@wichita.edu.
Make an Impact this Summer!
Explore the question of how to understand social forces and social change through qualitative research with Dr. Eveline Kalomo this summer through the HNRS 406C research course.
This course meets the Scholar Track Research Requirement!
Honors Faculty Virtual Event
This week, we hosted a virtual opportunity for incoming Honors students to engage with our academic advisor and some of our Honors faculty. Thank you to Jessi Raburn, Dr. Martin Ratcliffe, Dr. Elaine Bernstorf and Dr. Chelsea Redger-Marquardt for sharing information about curriculum, advising, types of experiences students can expect in an Honors class, mentorship and much more. Also, thank you to the Office of Admissions for helping to promote and host the event.
Watch the recorded event here.
Cohen Enhancement Scholarship Virtual Event
Last week, we hosted a virtual opportunity for prospective students to hear from some Honors students about how their experiences funded through the Cohen Enhancement scholarship have impacted them. Thank you to Inneke Vargas, Maribel Sanchez, Aidan Jude and 2017 alumna Katie Deutsch for sharing their experiences and answering question from the virtual attendees. Also, thank you to the Office of Admissions for helping to promote and host the event.
Watch the recorded event here.
Follow the Cohen Honors College on Social Media!
Honors Courses Still Available for Summer and Fall 2020
Seats are still available in several of the Honors Seminar offerings for Summer 2020 and Fall 2020. For full course descriptions, search the online schedule of courses. Type the word "Honors" in the Keyword field to see a list of all college and department honors courses.
Remember department honors courses have an "H" following the course number, e.g. PSY
111H. You also can turn a regular course into an honors course through an honors agreement.
Email Jessica.Raburn@wichita.edu with any questions or to arrange a meeting to discuss how these courses may meet
general education and Honors requirements for you.
Fall 2020 Honors Seminars Include
HNRS 106AB - Exploring Our National Parks. Dr. Chelsea Redger Marquardt guides students in learning about our national parks through a service
leadership lens. Student will explore the service, volunteer coordination, historic
preservation, conservation and human impact. 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Tuesday & Thursday
(CRN 16765)
HNRS 305U - The Power of Storytelling. Journalist Roy Wenzl explores narrative and
storytelling with honors students. Using their own lives as the source, students develop
story-telling techniques. 5:35 PM - 7:55 PM Monday (CRN 14783)
HNRS 405G - After the Fall: Identity in Literature. Dr. William Woods. This prescient
course starts with the premise that nothing human is eternal. Nations fail, cities
fall to ruin, and then, somehow, the human miracle: people gather themselves to begin
again, starting out on the long road back to security, culture and a new identity.
Accomplished literature professor, Dr. William Woods, uses literature spanning the
fall of Troy to the aftermath of WWI to examine devastation, renewal and new life. 11:00
AM - 12:15 PM Tuesday & Thursday (CRN 16787)
New Summer 2020 Honors Seminars (Remote)
Move forward your degree this summer with expanded course offerings in Honors. All offerings are in the new Remote format. Students in these courses will have designated or arranged times when they are expected to meet in a remote platform as determined by the professor.
HNRS 153T - Bang, Black Holes, Fate of the Universe. Explore the universe with astronomer, Martin Ratcliffe. Students learn about our
universe from the Big Bang to recent spacecraft missions. June 1 to July 24 remote,
synchronous class times: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 11:00 – 12:00 (CRN 32445)
Summer Pre-session! HNRS 310G - Digital Imaging (1 credit). Martin Ratcliffe introduces
students to the basics of scientific imaging using CCD cameras in this short course.
Imaging is used in areas such as medicine, astronomy, engineering, meteorology, and
Earth Resources/land management. During this course, you will understand how CCD devices
work, how to process images in black and white and color, and what scientific information
can be acquired. May 18-30th remote, synchronous class times: Monday through Friday
11:00 – 12:30; additional meetings will be arranged. (CRN 32446)
HNRS 351 - Survey of Leadership. Dr. Chelsea Redger Marquardt guides students through
an overview of the main leadership theories and a history of leadership. Students
learn to recognize and apply leadership theory. June 1 – June 27 remote, synchronous
class times: Monday through Thursday 9:00 – 12:00. (CRN 32444)
HNRS 406C - Making Social Impact. Dr. Eveline Ndinelao Kalomo leads students to explore
how to understand social forces and social change through qualitative research. Students
use the information gathered to design a qualitative research proposal and a poster
presentation. Open to honors students with a background in social sciences. Course
may be used to fulfill the honors research or creative activity requirement. June
29-July 24 remote, synchronous class times: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9:00 – 12:30.
(CRN 32419)
New! Service-Learning & Community Engagement Course
Course Description: Examines the process, importance and outcomes associated with service learning and civic responsibility. Students learn how to address, formulate and structure partnerships with community agencies. Addresses topics such as basic communication, and relationship skills, leadership development, and the study of and exposure to underserved and underrepresented populations. Introduces skills and issues relevant to a variety of disciplines and industries.
Course Benefits:
- Personal Leadership Development in a Community Setting
- Understanding of Community Partners and Non-Profit Organizations
- Exploring Social Justice and Justice Based Service
- Developing Personal Understanding of Social Responsibility
- Honors Agreements welcome!
New! Seminar in Hispanic Applied Linguistics
Honors office contacts
- Main Office: The office is open remotely M-W 8am to 5pm. Email honors@wichita.edu, and Erin LeBegue will answer or route your question to the right person!
- Advising: Email Jessi Raburn Jessica.raburn@wichita.edu to set up a phone or Zoom appointment.
- Scholarships and Recruitment: Email Trish Gandu trish.gandu@wichita.edu
- Budget and Calendar: Contact Carla Mann Carla.mann@wichita.edu
- Teaching, Faculty, and Questions for the Dean: Contact Kimberly Engber kimberly.engber@wichita.edu