Shocker Blast: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

Student Government Association

All are welcome to today’s SGA Student Senate meeting

Join the Student Government Association Student Senate for a meeting at 7:30 p.m. today in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail room. Meetings will return to being livestreamed on the SGA YouTube.

Where students come first, the Wichita State Student Government Association is the governing entity for the student experience at the university. SGA is charged with promoting and stimulating student participation in the university’s activities and providing an official channel of communication between the students, faculty, staff, administration and elected officials.

To learn more about SGA, visit wichita.edu/sga, email sga@wichita.edu or stop by the offices in 219 Rhatigan Student Center.

Resources

A member of the Shocker men's basketball team prepares to dunk the ball at a game in Charles Koch Arena

Shocker ID Perks: Shocker Athletics

You can start getting a look at Shocker basketball starting this week, with Prairie View A&M at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 in Charles Koch Arena. Remember that all students with a Shocker ID get admission to all home athletics events at no additional charge, thanks to the Student Government Association. Stay up to date on Shocker Athletics at goshockers.com.

Secure your ticket online now

Corkboard background with First Gen Finances written in scrapbook letters. Post-it note stating the following: Fun, snacks, and budgeting advice. The first 20 attendees win a FREE t-shirt. November 5 Shocker Hall Multipurpose Room 12-1:30pm.

Attend First-Gen Finances Nov. 5 and build your financial future

Calling all first-generation students. Join the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships for First-Gen Finances, a fun and empowering event designed just for you from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5 in the Shocker Hall multipurpose room. The first 20 attendees will snag a free Shocker Financial Wellness T-shirt, so come early.

Sit down for a mini budgeting session with a peer financial coach
Create your personalized First-Gen Finances vision board and goals
Discover how the new CashCourse can help you take control of your money

Whether you’re just starting your financial journey or looking to level up your money skills, this event is your chance to connect, learn and build your financial future with confidence.

Child Development Center has pre-K openings for this school year

The Child Development Center has immediate pre-K openings for this school year. Children need to be entering kindergarten in fall 2026 to be eligible for this classroom. Call 316-978-3109 for more information.

Events and Recreation

Attend a chalk talk with elementary education program

Interested in becoming an elementary school teacher or just want to meet other students in the WSU elementary education program? Join the School of Education from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 in 301 Rhatigan Student, Gridley Room, to make friends and explore the world of becoming a teacher.

RSVP for the chalk talk

A promotional flyer for a graduate student social event. The background features a close-up view of a pool table with a triangle formation of billiard balls, including the 8-ball and 13-ball prominently visible. The setting suggests a relaxed, recreational atmosphere. The top half of the flyer contains bold yellow and white text over a dark, blurred background with a dotted gradient design. Text on the flyer reads: GRAD STUDENT SOCIAL BOWLING – POOL TABLES – FOOD FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 5:30–7:30 PM

Join the Graduate Student Social Nov. 7 at Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes

Join the Graduate Student Social from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 at Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes. Enjoy delicious food, free bowling, billiards and darts, plus take the opportunity to connect with fellow graduate students.

Wildlife Wednesday. Wed, Nov. 5. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. RSC East Atrium

Meet Tanganyika ambassador animals at Wildlife Wednesday

Join the Rhatigan Student Center for Wildlife Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 5 in the RSC east atrium. Have some fun interacting with Tanganyika Wildlife Park’s ambassador animals.

Woman wearing blue jacket with white piping and pearls, black glasses, banner above her head in black on white with yellow border. Starburst with words "featured speaker: Dr. TLC"

Register for 2026 Ad Astra Conference

Register for the upcoming 2026 Ad Astra Conference on Jan. 30 here at Wichita State. The Ad Astra Conference brings first-generation students from colleges and universities across Kansas and the surrounding states together for a common experience with a desired outcome of greater persistence to graduation.

The featured speaker is Dr. Teresa L. Clounch (Dr. TLC), acting vice president for student life and dean of students, Washburn University.

WSU students can attend for free. Registration is due by by Jan. 16.

Learn more and register

Paint a pot and plant your own mini-garden with SGA’s Community Garden Showcase Nov. 6

Join Student Government Association in a Community Garden Showcase from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Rhatigan Student Center east patio. Take the opportunity to learn about how the Community Garden can be a resource for you while painting a pot to plant your own personal herb garden (while supplies last). There will also be the opportunity to win Community Garden and Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker raffle baskets.

SGA Interfest fall 2025 – SGA’s commitment to celebrate the cultural diversity of Shocker Nation

Hosted by the Student Government Association (SGA), Interfest fall 2025 brings together international student organizations from across campus to celebrate and share their rich cultures, colorful traditions and delicious cuisines. This semester’s Interfest will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

Enjoy an afternoon filled with authentic traditional foods, vibrant cultural attire and music that showcases the global diversity of the Shocker Family. Each booth tells the story of a different country — its people, flavors and heritage — creating a one-of-a-kind cultural journey across the world in a single day.

Admission is free, and all students, faculty and community members are welcome.

Songfest is back with 2025 event: Best of Both Worlds

Get ready for the biggest, boldest, most unforgettable night on campus, Songfest is back at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 in the Lowe Auditorium at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex. This high-energy lip sync and dance competition brings student orgs together to battle it out on stage with show-stopping choreography, creative themes and crowd-pleasing performances.

Cheer on your friends, rep your org and witness the talent and teamwork that make this one of the most beloved traditions of the year. The event is hosted by Student Engagement & Belonging, for more information call 316-978-3022 or email seb@wichita.edu.

Order your tickets now

Shocker Athletics

Elkana Kipruto and Mercy Jepkoech claim their awards at the American Conference Championship

Kipruto wins American Conference cross country championship, Jepkoech named Freshman of the Year

Wichita State’s Elkana Kipruto claimed the American Conference men’s individual title, and Mercy Jepkoech was named the American Conference Women’s Freshman of the Year at the American Conference Championships Nov. 1 at Frank Liske Park.

The Shocker men finished third, and the Shocker women took fifth of the women’s team championship. The Shockers placed five runners on the all-conference team and two on the all-freshman team.

Kipruto defeated the No. 5-ranked runner in the NCAA, Tulane’s Bernard Cheruiyot, to claim Wichita State’s first-ever American Conference men’s crown, running 23:16.6 in the 8K race.

Shocker women's bowling poses with their Track Kat Klash trophy

Shocker women’s bowling claim Track Kat Klash title

Wichita State ended 13 qualifying matches at the top of the leaderboard in total pinfall and capped it off with a dominant 4-0 sweep in the title match as they claimed the Track Kat Klash championship at Emerald Bowl in Houston.

The Shockers (21-5) led nearly wire-to-wire in terms of total pins, posting four matches over 1,000 to put themselves in position to compete for the title, which was the only round of bracket play after eight Baker matches and five traditional matches. Wichita State went 3-1 plus a bye in Friday’s Baker matches, 4-1 in Saturday’s traditional contests, and 2-1 on Sunday in Baker play, earning the top seed and a showdown with #9 Louisiana Tech. WSU put the Lady Techsters away in four games, 189-152, 225-222, 222-131, 201-170, earning the program’s 251st tournament win all time and first of the 2025-26 season.

Volleyball hosts Charlotte Nov. 9 for Shocksgiving

Bring canned food items to the Shocker volleyball match against Charlotte at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 in Charles Koch Arena to receive discounted tickets for you and the family. Show your items at the Koch Arena Ticket Office to purchase your discounted ticket as a thank you for supporting our Shocker Family during Shocksgiving.

SCHEELS Junior Shocker Club members can also RSVP to participate in an exclusive on-court experience with the team. Become a Member and RSVP.

Wichita State Volleyball vs. East Carolina. Friday, November 7th at 7PM. Hometown Heroes: Recognizing all our local military, police, fire, EMS, and healthcare workers!

Shocker volleyball takes on ECU at Hometown Heroes match

Join Shocker volleyball as it hosts Hometown Heroes weekend, recognizing all local military, police, fire, EMS and health care workers. First serve against the ECU Pirates is at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 in Charles Koch Arena. Students can claim a ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

Presentations and Talks

HealthHum hosting panel: “Indigenous Voices in Health: A Community Conversation”

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the Academic Center for Biomedical and Health Humanities (HealthHum) presents its next panel on “Indigenous Voices in Health: A Community Conversation” at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room.

The panel:

“Community Engagement for Better Health Outcomes in Native American Communities.” Chantal Nez Dominguez, MPH, (Navajo/Dine), program manager, Center for Public Health Initiatives at the Community Engagement Institute
“Cultural Healing and Health Relationships for Urban Teens.” Laura Razo, JD, CHW (Kickapoo/Potawatomi), attorney and former elected tribal leader
“Indigenous Perspectives on Mindfulness and Wellbeing in Artistic Practice.” Lori Santos, Ph.D. (Taino) art educator in the WSU School of Art, Design, and Creative Industries

This event is free and open to the public.

Julia Gehrlein from Colorado State will present at physics seminar Nov. 5

Join the physics seminar from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5 in 127 Jabara Hall. The seminar features Julia Gehrlein, assistant professor Colorado State University, who will present a talk on “Constraining new neutrino interactions with neutral current events at oscillation experiments.”

The seminar series brings several speakers to WSU each semester and is funded by the Eddy and April Lucas Fund, Wichita.

RSVP for Elevate | Everyone’s A Marketer featuring Ti’Juana Hardwell on Nov. 13

For the fourth and final keynote of the 2025 Elevate Speaker Series, founder and principal consultant of Mamarazzi Communications, LLC, Ti’Juana Hardwell, will share how authentic storytelling can transform the way small businesses, nonprofits and creatives connect with their customers.

The event is from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13 at Social Tap at Braeburn Square. Remarks begin at 4 p.m.

RSVP to the event

Join SEB for Native American Heritage Month lunch and learn with Dr. Cornel Pewewardy

Student Engagement & Belonging (SEB) invites everyone on campus to lunch while listening to Dr. Cornel Pewewardy discuss “A.I. and Chat GPT Effects on Indigenous Culture Values: The Good, The Bad, and The Really Ugly” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 in 301 Rhatigan Student Center, Gridley Room. Lunch will be provided.

News

Students in the 2025-26 WGLP Cohort posed on the social stairs in Woolsey Hall

Award-winning Widener Global Leaders Program welcomes its fifth cohort at inspiring kickoff event

The Widener Global Leaders Program (WGLP)— recognized by the Wichita Business Journal with its Innovation Award—celebrated the launch of its fifth cohort during a dynamic welcome event at Wichita State University. The new class features 12 exceptional students representing the Barton School of Business, the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the College of Fine Arts.

This year’s group marks a new era for WGLP — the first cohort under its expanded mission to provide students with a transformational, multidisciplinary educational experience that empowers them to thrive as the next generation of global leaders.

Barton School of Business students earn finalist honors at national consulting competition

A team of five undergraduate students from the Barton School of Business earned finalist recognition at the Cornhusker Business Case Competition, a prestigious national event hosted by the Nebraska Business Honors Academy at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Representing Wichita State’s newly launched Consulting Club, the team included Abrielle Zuniga, Isabella Evans, Isabel Fulkerson, Rene Luna-Reyes and Scott Recheck. After two rounds of rigorous presentations and Q&A sessions judged by industry professionals and academic leaders, the Barton School team was named one of only four finalists — out of 14 teams representing 13 leading universities, including the University of Maryland, Texas A&M, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Vermont, Kansas State University and Texas Christian University.