Year: 2024

Wichita State student-athletes recorded the highest semester cumulative grade-point average in school history with a 3.53 for the Fall 2024 semester. It was also the 39th-consecutive semester of earning higher than a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average department wide.

In August of 2022, Wichita State Athletics established a bold and aggressive set of five-year strategic objectives. Academically – beginning the Fall of 2022 semester and concluding the Spring of 2027 semester – Wichita State Athletics aspires to achieve a department-wide 3.0 GPA all 10 semesters, a department-wide 3.30 GPA five out of the10 semesters – five of which have already been accomplished – and a department-wide 3.40 GPA once in the same 10 semesters, a goal that has already been accomplished three times. The Fall of 2024 accomplished all three of these objectives.

Dear Shocker family:

Welcome back to Wichita State! I hope you had a restful and rejuvenating winter break. As we step into a new year filled with opportunities, I want to take a moment to thank you for the passion and dedication you bring to our students and our university. Together, we continue to make Wichita State a place where innovation and excellence thrive.

I’m also excited to introduce Dr. Monica Lounsbery as our new provost and executive vice president. Dr. Lounsbery brings a wealth of experience and a strong vision for academic excellence. You’ll be able to find her in 109 Morrison Hall, and she can be reached at monica.lounsbery@wichita.edu or 316-978-3010. I encourage you to stop by, send her a note or say hello if you see her around campus once we’re back.

To formally welcome Dr. Lounsbery, we will be hosting a meet-and-greet event at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room. I hope you’ll join us!

Thank you for all you do to support our students and community. Let’s make this semester one to remember.

Go Shockers!
President Rick Muma

Phase I of the Wichita Biomedical Campus — a collaboration between Wichita State University, University of Kansas and WSU Tech — is making steady progress as it prepares to transform and redefine health care education and research in Kansas. 

“The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a tangible expression of our dedication to advancing health care through collaboration and innovation,” WSU President Rick Muma said. “By bringing together researchers, health care professionals and industry leaders, we’re creating an environment where groundbreaking discoveries can thrive and collaboration sparks innovation. This campus will be at the forefront of transforming health care, ultimately improving the lives of countless individuals.”  

On Feb. 6, 2023, two massive earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria, followed by more than 30,000 aftershocks in the subsequent three months. The epicenter of the 7.7- and 7.8-magnitude quakes were near Antakya (Antioch), Turkey — a city near the Syrian border, known for its rich history and celebration of Islamic, Christian and Judaic religions.

Antakya has been the focus of decades’ worth of Dr. Jens Kreinath’s research, giving him a scholarly perspective of the region’s cultural and political landscapes before and after the 2023 disaster.

The College of Engineering at Wichita State University has partnered with Groover Labs, a nonprofit collaborative workspace, technology hub and rapid prototyping lab in Wichita, to support the regional business community. The collaboration aims to assist businesses in designing and building prototypes, testing proof-of-concept ideas and engaging in low-volume manufacturing.

As part of the initiative, the college’s Project Innovation Hub is expanding its scope to accept projects from companies and community organizations. The projects – which include design and machining of parts, analyzing manufacturing processes, engaging in product development with entrepreneurs and supporting research – are executed by Wichita State students under the guidance of Project Innovation Hub staff and college faculty. A notable example of their work includes more than 400 handrails designed, manufactured and installed in Charles Koch Arena on the Wichita State campus.

Spectrum: LGBTQ & Allies will be hosting a QT RSO Development Workshop Feb. 5 in hopes to inspire and educate students to form queer and transgender based RSOs and is searching for faculty and staff who may be interested in advising one of these RSOs that student attendees will develop.

If you are interested in being an advisor, respond to this form.

If you have any questions, reach out to Genesis Merriett at gtmerriett@shockers.wichita.edu.

The parking garage add-on ePermit for spring 2025 is now on sale. Any current ePermit holder is eligible to purchase this add-on for $50. The add-on will allow ePermit holders to park on floor two, the ramp to three, floor three and the ramp to four without having to pay the hourly rate. The ePermit is active at the time of purchase and is good through June 30.

This ePermit is for sale in person at the Parking Services building lobby or in the drive through on the north side of the building. Payment is to be with cash or check only and a limited amount of these ePermits will be made available. You must have a current ePermit on file or you will be required to buy one at the time of the add-on purchase.

For questions on the add-on or parking in general, email wsuparking@wichita.edu or call 316-978-5526.

For the Monday, Jan. 6 Shocker men’s basketball game, a number of lots in the vicinity of Charles Koch Arena will be reserved for Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization parking beginning at 3 p.m. During this time, signage will be in place alerting drivers of the impending lot assignment changes.

Anyone previously parked in these lots will need to move their cars by 3 p.m. Any unauthorized parking in a game day lot carries a $50 citation fine.

Non-teaching employees, it’s time to complete your self-evaluation in myPerformance. The self-evaluation step in the performance evaluation cycle is your opportunity to provide input on your job performance and accomplishments since the beginning of the current review period that began on March 1, 2024. Go to myPerformance to access and complete your self-evaluation which is due by 11:59 p.m. Jan. 31.

Helpful tips:

• You can access your performance evaluation as many times as you need during the month of January to update and complete your self-evaluation. Access will route from you to your manager on Feb. 1.
• Be sure to save and submit anytime you update or make changes to your self-evaluation. You still have access to make changes after you save and submit.
• To find in-progress or past evaluations in myPerformance, check the small box “Show completed and expired tasks” then click “Search.”

For more information (including myPerformance training, quick reference guides and other resources) go to wichita.edu/myPerformance.

With winter break approaching, make sure to not leave any opportunities for the Grinch to sneak in and cause mischief. Please take a few moments to follow these important fire and safety tips before you leave.

• Ensure that all electrical decorations are turned off and unplugged. Verify that fire extinguishers are accessible and that emergency exits are clear of any obstructions.
• Tidy up your workspaces and common areas and dispose of any perishable items from refrigerators.

Facilities Services thanks the campus for their help and wishes everyone a restful winter break.