Shocker Blast: Monday, Sept. 21, 2026

Construction / Maintenance

Site plan of utility work associated with Neff Hall demolition and Geology Building remodel.

Pedestrian routes to be temporarily affected by utility work near RSC, Geology Building and Neff Hall

Please be aware of the following temporary pedestrian route changes due to ongoing campus infrastructure projects.

Shocktoberfest

Free food, giveaways and Shocker spirit await at the Shocktoberfest kick-off

Get ready to show your Shocker pride! Join the Shocktoberfest kick-off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28 on the north patio of the Rhatigan Student Center as WSU launches its annual celebration of Shocker spirit and tradition.

Resources

Student Success Tip #6: Get to know your faculty

Students may feel anxious about approaching their professors, but despite these reservations, faculty members are often their best resource for academic success and help advise them about career/academic options.

Learn more tips for talking to your professor

Shocker perks: Navigate360

Navigate360 puts important Wichita State resources in the palm of your hand. Use the platform to schedule advising and tutoring appointments, connect with campus services, view important to-dos and find support when challenges arise.

Navigate360 helps students stay connected and on track toward graduation.

Get started with Navigate360

Research Mixer, October 6, 2026 | 4:30 - 7:00 PM Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom, Networking Bingo, WSU Lab Highlights, Keynote Speech by Dr. Moriah Beck, RSVP on The Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Hub’s website, A unit of the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College, The Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Hub

UReCA to host Research Mixer Oct. 6

Join the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA) Hub at its second annual Research Mixer from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 6 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

This year, participants will hear from both students and faculty about their current lab highlights, have networking opportunities and hear from Dr. Moriah Beck on the importance of research right now.

RSVP for the event

Dining

Students take time in between their classes to relax and study at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes

Grub Guide: Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes

Need a getaway from the hustle and bustle of university life? Head over to the Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes in the lower level of the Rhatigan Student Center for bowling, billiards, pizza and community. WSU students get a discounted rate for the bowling alley, so make it an outing with your friends.

A popular lunch combo is a large slice of pizza, your choice of a side salad or chips and a fountain drink, all for just $7.99.

Try the Margherita Pizza in September

Visit the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes in September to try the Pizza of the Month, the Margherita Pizza. It’s topped with basil pesto sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella slices.

Events and Recreation

Campus community invited to legislative update session in Morrison Hall

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the legislature relevant to Wichita State at the next legislative update session at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 in 101 Morrison Hall. The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students.

Research Social, Build Community!, Snacks + Games, Free Event for all Faculty and Students, September 22, Ablah Library DSC, 3:30 - 5 pm

UReCA to host research social event Sept. 22

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA) Hub research social from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 in the Ablah Library is a chance for students, faculty and staff to connect, get to know each other and start the semester off right by playing games and light networking. Refreshments will be available.

RSVP for the social

Wildlife Wednesday, Wed, Sept 23, 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. Sept. 23 in the RSC east atrium and have some fun interacting with Tanganyika Wildlife Park’s ambassador animals.

Shocker State Fair is back Sept. 25

Join the Office of First-Year Programs for an evening full of fun and free entertainment at the third annual Shocker State Fair from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, from 4-8pm at the Rhatigan Student Center. Enjoy inflatables, games, rides, live music and local food trucks. The event is free for WSU students.

For questions, contact Kaelyn Hannah at kaelyn.hannah@wichita.edu.

Recognized Student Organizations Events

Submit your RSO event for the newsletters

If you are part of a recognized student organization and would like to promote an upcoming event, you can submit an item for consideration at news.wichita.edu and click “Submit an item.”

Please review the submission guidelines for RSO events.

On a black and gold background, the image reads "50th Anniversary Celebration. Oct 3, 6pm, RSC Ballroom. Tickets available at wichita.edu/lgbtq50."

Join celebration of 50 years of LGBTQ+ recognized student organizations on Oct. 3

Spectrum is celebrating 50 years of LGBTQ+ recognized student organizations at Wichita State at an event starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

The event will include a catered dinner, music, speakers, a silent auction, dancing and presentations about local LGBTQ+ history from Dr. Jenny Pearson, professor of sociology, Dr. Jay Price, professor of history, and Brent Kennedy, lecturer in anthropology.

Tickets are just $10 for students and $20 for faculty, staff and community members. Purchase tickets at wichita.edu/lgbtq50.

Presentations and Talks

Biological sciences seminar continues with Dr. Anna Zinovyeva Sept. 21

The Department of Biological Sciences’ fall 2026 seminar series continues Monday, Sept. 21 with Dr. Anna Zinovyeva of Kansas State University. She will give a public lecture, “BControl of microRNA Gene Regulatory Activity: From Molecular Mechanisms to Disease,” from 4 to 5 p.m. in 231 Hubbard Hall.

Seminars are open to the public and undergraduates are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit wichita.edu/biology.

Lecture series in the mathematical sciences presents Dr. Vijay Matheswaran

Join mathematics and statistics for a public lecture by Dr. Vijay Matheswaran, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. The lecture, titled “Vortex shedding from bluff bodies: theory and experiment” will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 in 372 Jabara Hall. Refreshments will be available at 2:30 p.m. in 371 Jabara Hall

News

Submit artwork for seventh annual First Gen All Media Art Exhibit

First-gen Shockers are invited to submit artwork to an all-media art exhibition. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 2.

Art will be exhibited Nov. 2-13 in the Cadman Art Gallery in the Rhatigan Student Center, with a reception from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov 5 at the gallery.

Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third places and honorable mentions.

For questions or concerns, reach out to Marco Hernandez at marco.hernandezguillen@wichita.edu.

Learn more and submit your artwork

UPD offers advice for how to find lost items on campus

The Wichita State University Police Department maintains the university's lost and found program and works to reunite lost items with their owners.

Campus Safety

Office of Environmental Health and Safety shares off-campus fire safety reminders

Campus Fire Safety Month is a reminder that fire safety doesn't end at the campus boundary. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety encourages students living in residence halls, apartments, houses or Greek housing to take simple steps to protect themselves and their roommates.

Volunteer Opportunities and Surveys

Volunteers Needed for Expanding Your Horizons STEM Workshop for Middle School Students, Saturday, October 10, 2026 at WSU; Volunteer Roles include: assisting with STEM workshops, student check-in, photography, raffle prize donations; More information at: www.wichita.edu/eyh or moriah.beck@wichita.edu; pictures of crystals and dinosaur bones

Volunteers needed for Expanding Your Horizons STEM Day

Join in inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals and innovators at Expanding Your Horizons STEM Day at Wichita State on Oct. 10. The event is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help make this exciting event a success for middle school students from across the region. Opportunities are available both before the event and on the day of the event.

Pumpkin Run volunteers needed

Campus Recreation is seeking volunteers to help with the Pumpkin Run on Oct. 17. Volunteer shifts are scheduled starting at 7:30 a.m. Volunteers will assist with event operations and help create a positive experience for participants.

Whether you’re helping behind the scenes or crossing the finish line, there’s a place for you at the Pumpkin Run.

If you’d rather run in the Pumpkin Run, you can still register.