Author: Tia Hill

Your vote will determine who will serve on the Shocktoberfest Court and ultimately be crowned Shocker Royalty. The twenty candidates were nominated by students, faculty and staff based on their campus leadership, academic excellence and their dedication to Shocker Pride.

The ballot for Shocktoberfest Court will remain open through 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Court members will make appearances at various Shocktoberfest events, including in the parade on Saturday, Oct. 5, and the official crowning of Shocker Royalty will be held at Shocker Madness later that day.

Shocktoberfest, Wichita State’s annual celebration of spirit and pride, is Sept. 30 through Oct. 5. The Shocktoberfest Committee has an outstanding lineup of experiences for individuals and student groups and hope you will be part of this longstanding tradition. New this year is the Shocktoberfest Court and Royalty. The Shocktoberfest Court will consist of 12 students, two from each academic college, who demonstrate leadership and exude Shocker Pride. Court members will be interviewed by a panel of Wichita State faculty and staff and two students will selected to hold the title of Shocker Royalty.

The Shocktoberfest Committee encourages you to nominate students who:

• Positively represent Wichita State University
• Play an active role on-campus in an organization, group and/or position of leadership
• Promote belonging and Shocker Pride
• And demonstrate academic excellence

Nominations will close at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.

The fourth annual NXT LVL Garage Party from 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 17 at the parking garage features music from DJ Carbon, acrobats from Flow Foundry ICT, food from Kung Fu Tea, Elatino Dogos y Hamburguesas, Churros, activities like a rock wall, large format Mario Kart and much more. NXT LVL T-shirts will be given away while supplies last. Admission to the NXT LVL Garage Party is exclusive to Wichita State students and no bags or outside food will be permitted. Clear Bags accepted.

NXT LVL Garage Party is coordinated by Student Engagement & Belonging. For questions, call 316-978-3022 or email seb@wichita.edu. For more events like this, visit wichita.edu/seb.

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.

Make plans to attend the inaugural Shockers Got Talent at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11 in the CAC Theater. Taking the stage are 13 student acts to compete for most talented Shocker. Attendees can experience a variety of performances including singers, pianists, dance groups, rapping and a full band. The judges will select first, second and third place with acts receiving scholarships in the amount of $1000, $800 and $500 respectively.

2024 Shockers Got Talent acts:

• Alex Pollnow singing “Google Translate” by Leanna Firestone
• Don Boyd singing “Above All” by Michael W. Smith
• Kishan Gurung singing “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
• Kuña Paraguay dancing to “Viajando Voy” by Tierra Adentro
• KVERSITY dancing to “Talk Saxy” by Riize
• Mona Martinez singing “Hopelessly Devoted to You” by Olivia Newton-John
• Noah Carter singing “The Best is Yet To Come” by Michael Buble
• Paula performing on piano “I Giorni” by Ludovico Eineaudi
• Rowan Singer singing “Angy” by Psycho Enby
• Sena singing “Jason’s Song” by Ariana Grande
• Skylar Isenegger performing on piano “Snow Angel” by Renee Rapp
• STML performing a Shockers Got Talent freestyle rap
• TALL GLASS OF ROOT BEER performing “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath

Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is at the door. Admission is available at no additional charge to students with Shocker ID, $5 for faculty/staff and children 12 and under, and $8 for general public. Cash, credit, debit and Apple Pay are accepted.

Shockers Got Talent is coordinated by the Traditions Committee of the Student Activities Council. For more information on this event email sac@wichita.edu or call Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership at 316-978-3022.

Join Mina Estrada, program director of dance, as she guides participants through an experience in the galleries that incorporates movement and select works of art at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 20 in the Polk/Wilson Gallery at the Ulrich Museum of Art.

Learn a movement phrase that embodies an element of each artwork — texture, line, space or narrative — and leave with a small dance that represents the kinesthetic and aesthetic experience the group has shared. The event is open to everyone.

Shockers After Dark features silent headphone disco from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9 on the second floor of the Rhatigan Student Center.

Two DJs will mix music as you switch between songs using provided headphones. The dance party will have additional activities like an arcade, bingo, karaoke, bowling and billiards. And take a break at the nugget and fry bar.

Prize Drawings will be held throughout the evening and Shockers can win an iPad, Beats Headphones and VR Headset.

Shockers After Dark is coordinated by Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership (SEAL) with the support from Student Affairs.

Arrive early to the Shocker men’s basketball game against UTSA at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 to learn all the popular cheers and chants featured at Shocker games. Shock Block student leaders, cheer, dance and the WSU pep band will teach students the Alma Mater, Fight Song and other popular Shocker cheers. Pizza and Shocker shirts will be provided while supplies last. Arrive by 5 p.m. to Charles Koch Arena and enter through the ticket office. WSU students can receive a ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID.

Cheers & Chants 101 is coordinated by the Student Activities Council, University Athletics and WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement. For questions about this event, call Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership at 316-978-3022 or email sac@wichita.edu.

Arrive early to the Shocker women’s basketball game against UAB at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25 to learn all the popular cheers and chants featured at Shocker games. Shock Block student leaders, cheer, dance and the WSU pep band will teach students the Alma Mater, Fight Song and other popular Shocker cheers. Pizza and Shocker shirts will be provided while supplies last. Arrive by 4:30 p.m. to Charles Koch Koch Arena and enter through the ticket office. WSU students can receive a ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID.

If you are not able to make it to the game, join again at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 Shocker men’s basketball against UTSA.

Cheers & Chants 101 is coordinated by the Student Activities Council, University Athletics and WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement. For questions about this event, call Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership at 316-978-3022 or email sac@wichita.edu.

Are you an online learner or not able to make it to The Toast? Tune in online at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 to watch The Toast: A Graduation Celebration featuring remarks from President Rick Muma, Teri Hall, vice president of Student Affairs, and Stacie Williamson, vice president of alumni engagement.

Congratulations to the upcoming graduates and enjoy celebrating with family, near and far.