Year: 2024

In March 2020, Ryan Barnes considered himself a high school basketball player, a 5-foot-10 point guard who wanted to play like NBA star Chris Paul. He wore his hair like former Shockers star Ron Baker and made himself valuable on a team loaded with talent.

Within a few months, Ryan considered himself a collegiate bowler, even though he barely qualified as a recreational bowler. Four years later, he appears on a path to be the next PBA Tour great and, along with his parents, heirs to a family bowling legacy the tour last experienced with Dick and Pete Weber.

“(Ryan) has all the makings of a superstar,” PBA Tour Commissioner Tom Clark said. “He’s clearly obsessed with being the best he can be. That something that’s rare in athletes. He’s got it.”

As the fall semester begins, you will notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State’s 330-acres and beyond.

The Shocker Success Center — formerly Clinton Hall, located between the Rhatigan Student Center and Ablah Library — is open to the public. The Shocker Success Center brings together a number of student services that were formally spread out around Wichita State and houses them under one roof in the heart of campus.

The campus community can find multiple areas to relax or work throughout the day, and students can use the building as a study space.

Here is every service that has moved to the Shocker Success Center:

• First floor: OneStop Student Services; the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing
• Second floor: Shocker Learning Center, including the Math Lab, Physics Help Room and Writing Center; Office of Student Success; and TRIO Disability Support Services
• Third floor: TRIO Student Support Services; Hispanic-Serving Initiatives; CARE Team; Adult Learning; Tech Help Desk; and Military and Veterans Services
• Lower level: Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance; Shocker Support Locker; and Career Closet. And the Office of International Education will join the Shocker Success Center in September.

Do you have questions about your digital course materials? Visit the lower level of the Rhatigan Student Center Shocker Store on Wednesday or Thursday to get assistance from reps from Cengage, Pearson and McGraw-Hill.

Nearly 50 new faculty members have joined Wichita State for this fall semester.

They hail from seven academic colleges, including:

• Barton School of Business: 4
• Cohen Honors College: 1
• College of Applied Studies: 4
• College of Fine Arts: 7
• College of Health Professions: 7
• College of Engineering: 9
• Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: 15

Welcome to Wichita State!

Welcomefest is the official welcome campaign for new and returning Shockers and features events, activities and services designed to help everyone have a successful transition to life at Wichita State. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include the NXT LVL Garage Party, Clash of the Colleges, Involvement Fair and much more.

Hosted by various student groups and campus departments, most events are free and give all students a chance to get acquainted with each other, learn their way around campus and find ways to connect with the community. View the schedule of events and get connected to campus resources at wichita.edu/welcomefest

Welcomefest is sponsored by Student Engagement & Belonging.

Take a break from moving and relax under the stars with Student Activities Council’s (SAC) viewing of the movie classic, “Pitch Perfect.” The movie will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 at the Duerksen amphitheater. There will be popcorn, snow cones and a chance to win a few prizes. The event is free and anyone is welcome to attend. In the event of inclement weather the movie will be held in the CAC Theater. Check-in begins at 8:30 p.m. and you will need to bring your Shocker ID. Bring a friend, roommate, yourself and a blanket.

Pitch Perfect is sponsored by SAC. For questions, email sac@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3022.

Welcomefest is the official welcome campaign for new and returning Shockers and features events, activities and services designed to help everyone have a successful transition to life at Wichita State. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include the NXT LVL Garage Party, Clash of the Colleges, Involvement Fair and much more.

Hosted by various student groups and campus departments, most events are free and give all students a chance to get acquainted with each other, learn their way around campus and find ways to connect with the community. View the schedule of events and get connected to campus resources at wichita.edu/welcomefest

Welcomefest is sponsored by Student Engagement & Belonging.

Join First-Year Programs for a weekend full of fun. Collectively, there are over 40+ opportunities for new Shockers to connect with various offices/departments at WSU, occurring between Friday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Aug. 18.

From the First-Year Lunch to the fourth annual NXT LVL Garage Party, there is something for all Shockers to meaningfully connect with the campus community.

To view a full list of events occurring between Aug. 16 and 18, visit the SHOCKFEST webpage.

For any questions, contact first.year@wichita.edu.

President Rick Muma with other university leadership held the 2024 Fall Address Aug. 14 in Miller Concert Hall at Duerksen Fine Arts Center.

Speakers discussed the 10-year anniversary of the Innovation Campus, the developments at Wichita State during that time and what’s on the horizon for the university, highlighting the university’s priorities:

• Helping families through access and affordability
• Supporting Kansas businesses with a talent pipeline that meets employer needs
• Increasing economic prosperity with higher education that benefits the Kansas economy

If you were unable to catch it live, you can find the livestream archive on Wichita State’s YouTube channel.