May 3, 2016
 Campus Events:
Tuesday, May 3
Pancho's Night from 7 - 9 p.m. | Pancho's Mexican Restaurant

Alpha Eta Rho at 7:30 p.m. | Library 

Student Veterans Association meeting at 5:30 p.m. | Salina VFW

Student Governing Association at 8:30 p.m. | CCCR

Wednesday, May 4
Grocery Bingo from 7 - 9 p.m. | College Center Conference Room

RC Club meeting at 12:30 p.m. | RC Club room

Thursday, May 5
Stress Free Massage from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Tech Center Lobby

Robotics Club at 1:30 p.m. | TC168

UAS Club meeting at 6:30 p.m. | TC123

Christian Challenge meeting at 7 p.m. | Cafeteria

OTAKATS meeting at 7 p.m. | CCCR

Bowling from 9 - 11 p.m. | All Star Lanes

Friday, May 6
Commencement Rehearsal at 1 p.m. | SLC

Saturday, May 7
Spring Commencement at 10 a.m. | SLC

Monday, May 9
Finals Week Begins 
Quick Links
Commencement rehearsal and ceremony schedule
K-State Polytechnic's commencement will be held Saturday, May 7 at 10 a.m. in the Student Life Center. 

If you are graduating this semester, or are participating in the ceremony, please look at the schedule of events below.

Friday, May 6 
Commencement rehearsal begins at 1 p.m. in the Student Life Center. All graduates who are walking in the ceremony are encouraged to attend.

If a few students would bring your cap, gown, and tassel, our communications and marketing team would like to take some photos and interviews of our graduation candidates.


Saturday, May 7
9:15 a.m. - Graduates need to assemble in the College Center Conference Room.

9:30 a.m. - Faculty participating in the ceremony need to assemble by the free-weights area in the Student Life Center.

9:50 a.m.- Platform party and faculty line-up and get prepared to walk in the ceremony. You will be seated in front of the stage on the left side. 

10:00 a.m. - Commencement ceremony

**IF YOU HAVE NOT ORDERED YOUR CAP/GOWN/TASSEL, visit: http://www.cbgrad.com/. The company is based out of Manhattan so they have a quick turnaround on shipments.

There will be a reception immediately following the ceremony. Graduates, stick around for refreshment and take photos with your family, friends and professors. Faculty and staff, please stop by and visit with the graduates and their families.

If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Sanders, registrar, at ksand@ksu.edu. 
Live stream spring commencement!
Graduates: feel free to share the following link with friends and family that are unable to attend Saturday's commencement ceremony.

The Kansas State Polytechnic graduation is Saturday, May 7 at 10 a.m. The link below will be live at that time.  http://www.kstate.edu/graduation/spring2016/tech-aviation.html
Link
Participants needed for UAS research survey
Participants are needed for a PrecisionHawk UAS research opportunity, taking place May 18-19 in Salina. If you are interested in participating, please complete the survey in the link below by Friday, May 6. This survey simply is intended to collect interested participants and allow follow-up communication. Participation is open to faculty, students and staff.
 
Click here to complete the survey of availability.
 
The FAA Pathfinder Initiative is a collaborative research and development effort between the FAA and industry to enable unmanned aerial system (UAS) operation outside of the current restrictions. Pathfinder Focus Area Two, in partnership with PrecisionHawk, is focused on understanding the factors affecting safety in Extended Visual Line of Sight operations (EVLOS). EVLOS is defined as flight of a UAS outside the Pilot in Command's (PIC) visual range but still within visual range of the pilot to ensure cognizance of the area of operation and encroaching aircraft. The Pathfinder results are expected to have a direct and near-term impact on the FAA's regulatory stance towards UAS operation in the United States.

Participants can expect to spend one full day at the experiment site, receiving training on the ground control station software and UAS simulation in the morning followed by the in-field trial in the afternoon (15 minutes outside of Salina). Participants will not be flying a UAS for this initial set of tests, although respondents with at least a private pilot's license and current FAA Class II medical can indicate if they would like to be considered for UAS training and PIC trials later in the season.

If you are interested in being a participant in this study, please answer the following questions and provide your contact information so that the UAS research lab can contact you about involvement.

If you have any questions, please contact Andi Meyer, UAS research program manager, at andimeyer@ksu.edu. 
uInnovate wicked problem competition
Are you ready to help us shape the excitement, competition and community building that
will occur during uInnovate this coming August? 

Grab your colleague, student, friend, or foe for this challenge!

We challenge you to
work in an interdisciplinary group to submit ideas of wicked problems for teams of students to solve. Prizes will be given for all persons submitting a wicked problem
and persons who submit the chosen problems will receive a grand prize! Submissions of wicked problem ideas are being accepted now through May 11.

What is our definition of a wicked problem?

A wicked problem is a problem that may have both social/cultural and industrial implications
that is difficult to solve because of incomplete or contradictory knowledge, variety of people or opinions involved and interconnection of these facets (see more at: https://www.wickedproblems.com).

What is uInnovate?

uInnovate is an interactive experience that unites students in small groups and prepares
them to create innovative solutions to industry and community problems!  Our goals are:
  • To prepare students for the innovative environments of the future, here at K-State and in their careers beyond our campus
  • To improve group interactions and results
  • To enable students to clearly describe problems and proposed solutions
  • To effectively evaluate options and select a most appropriate solution
  • To enhance students' views of themselves as contributors to their communities.  

Submit your idea today at:
https://kstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6WKlKL0Y3vEzSXb

If you have any questions, please contact Danielle Brown, professional education and outreach, at dnbrown@k-state.edu. 
Get help preparing for your future finances!
As summer and graduation approaches, financial situations loom over students.  For those who still have more classes to complete, summer can mean a break from school, summer courses, or time to put in more hours at work.  

With summer approaching the question is, do you have a budget?  Have you planned for the extra meals you won't be getting from the cafeteria?  Have you planned for the cost of living increase that comes with summer? Have you started planning for that summer vacation that makes the school year worth it?  

All of these things can be addressed when having a budget for students.  If you do not have a budget or need help adjusting your budget you can make an appointment with a peer financial coach at http://polytechnic.k-state.edu/smmc/.  

For those who are graduating, you have even more financial situations to consider.  In six short months after graduation those student loan payments you've been dreading will be due. Setting up a budget now to start planning for those payments will help the financial burden they cause when the grace period is over.  By planning for that money to be gone from your income you lessen the impact they cause on your financial stability.  If you do not have a budget, need your budget adjusted, need help with your student loans, and/or need to figure out what that payment will be, you too can make an appointment with a peer financial coach at http://polytechnic.k-state.edu/smmc/ to help answer any financial questions you may have about your impending future.

If you have any questions please contact Kayla Cross, SMMC Peer Financial Coach, at krkross@ksu.edu. 

The 2,500 pounds of spaghetti challenge: Can we do it?
The polytechnic campus is participating again in the annual Project Salina food collection drive to help the less fortunate within the city of Salina. 

This year, the organization has challenged us to collect 2,500 pounds of spaghetti to help support the cause. So far, we have collected 798 pounds of spaghetti!

The committee is asking that all faculty, students and staff participate in donating spaghetti or making a cash donation that can go towards a purchase of it. The library front desk will be collecting all cash donations.  

You can bring packaged spaghetti donations to Room 208 in the College Center, the library, or the faculty resource center.

Ready for takeoff: Kansas State Polytechnic launches new flight academy for high school students
For more than 50 years, aviation technology has been an educational cornerstone of the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus, and now that tradition is being offered to a new generation of students.

Kansas State Polytechnic is introducing Fly K-State Academy - a three-day piloting program, June 27-29, for high school students entering their freshman through senior year who dream about a future in aviation. In this immersive experience, students will complete four missions and earn three and a half hours of flight time while staying overnight on campus and participating in group activities and outings around the city.

The Kansas State Polytechnic Flight Team - which won the prestigious Loening Trophy in 2014 - will host Fly K-State Academy. The team developed the idea after assisting with other aviation programs on campus that only were offered to youth in elementary and middle school. Team members believe a flight program for high school students is essential to their growth as aviators and is a valuable opportunity to experience a college atmosphere.

"As a part of K-State's aviation program, I've witnessed firsthand the passion our faculty and students have for mentoring other pilots and teaching them how to fly," said Austin Bally, a junior in professional pilot at Kansas State Polytechnic and flight team captain. "We want to share that knowledge and enthusiasm with future aviators to help them jumpstart their college career. This academy is an excellent introduction to the aviation industry, rules and regulations, flying techniques and technology, and general curriculum that is studied in our professional pilot degree program."

To continue reading, click here.

A high-five is one of the most recognizable ways two people can share excitement or celebrate a job well done. Kansas State Polytechnic's CEO and Dean Verna Fitzsimmons awards her high-five each week to honor faculty, staff and students for their dedication to the university.
Link
High-five to the Support Staff Employee of the Year!
A high-five goes out to Denise Werth, our public service administrator in human resources, who was recognized Monday as the University Support Staff Employee of the Year. Congratulations on your well-deserved award and thank you for all you do for our campus!
High-five to this year's retirees!
Congratulations to this year's six retirees, who have 144 years of service amongst them! They were recognized last week during the Last Lecture and Retirement Reception in which former dean of students, Dixie Schierlman, gave a presentation on overcoming obstacles and her vision for recruiting high school students to higher education.

This year's retirees include:  Les Kinsler - 36 yrs; Bonnie Mongeau - 31 yrs; David Norlin - 5 yrs; Dixie Schierlman - 12 yrs; Teri Van Wey - 19 yrs; and Marlene Walker - 41 yrs.

Thank you for the legacy that you have left on our campus!
Summer Financial Aid
Will you be attending summer school at K-State Polytechnic? If so, you will need to complete the K-State 2016 Summer Financial Aid Application form to see if you qualify for any financial aid. You must enroll in classes first and then complete the application for aid. The form can be in Room 105 of the Welcome Center.

Loan Repayment Option for Graduating Students
The state of Kansas is offering up to $15,000 in student loan repayment and up to a 5 year state tax waiver for graduates who establish residency in one of the 77 Kansas counties designated as a rural opportunity zone. For more information, visit the link below:

Employee Tuition Assistance and Spouse/ Dependent Grant
1.  Employee Tuition Assistance
http://www.k-state.edu/sfa/forms/eta.pdf 

Award amount is for tuition only in a K-State course for up to 3 credit hours per term. 

The maximum award amount will not exceed the value of 3 hours at the in-state Manhattan/Salina tuition rate (ie. Campus fees, other institutional fees, etc. are the responsibility of the employee). 

2. Spouse/Dependent Grants (Available in fall and spring semesters only. Not available in the summer.)

http://www.k-state.edu/sfa/forms/dsg.pdf

For dependents with a primary career of undergraduate (full time requirement), the amount of the Dependent/Spouse Tuition Grant award for that semester will equal 7 credit hours at the applicable tuition rate. 

For dependents with a primary career of graduate or veterinary medicine, the amount of the Dependent/Spouse Tuition Grant award for the semester will be equal to 1, 2, or 3 credit hours at the applicable tuition rate. The maximum of 3 credit hours of tuition rate will be awarded to students enrolled in a total of 3 or more credit hours for the semester.

For spouses with a primary career of undergraduate, graduate, or veterinary medicine, the amount of the Dependent/Spouse Tuition Grant award for the semester will be equal to 1, 2, or 3 credit hours at the applicable tuition rate. The maximum of 3 credit hours of tuition rate will be awarded to students enrolled in a total of 3 or more credit hours for the semester.
Aviation Scholarships
1. The Eugene S. Kropf Scholarship is offering $500. Must be a sophomore or higher and have a 3.0 or better gpa. DEADLINE: June 15.  http://www.imis100us1.com/UAA/UAAMain/Scholarships/Kropf.aspx

2. The Paul A. Whelan Aviation scholarship is offering a $2000 scholarship. Must be a sophomore or higher. Must have at least a 2.5 overall gpa (3.0 in aviation coursework). DEADLINE: May 15, 2016.  http://www.imis100us1.com/UAA/UAAMain/Scholarships/Whelan_Scholarship_Page.aspx

All jobs, both part-time and full-time as well as internship opportunities, are listed on the Kansas State University CES account. Access your CES account by logging into: 

 

https://www.myinterfase.com/kstate/Account/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2fkstate%2fstudent

 

For more information about this resource or additional employment resources, or for CES search assistance, please contact Erica Riffel Chapel by email at ejr@ksu.edu, by phone at (785) 826-2674, or in person on the second floor of the College Center.

 

To post a position on the CES system, please send your job descriptions and employer contact information by email to Erica Riffel Chapel at ejr@ksu.edu for immediate posting.  

Kansas State Polytechnic |
785-826-2917 | salinamarketing@k-state.edu | 2310 Centennial Rd 
Salina, KS 67401

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