Author: Caelin Bragg

The table below is to assist instructors with certain dates regarding CES. These dates are for the fall 2026 semester.

• The first column includes the various start/end (part-of-term) dates for fall semester courses.
• The second column includes dates meant for instructors. This is the timeframe when instructors will receive emails about the CES process and procedures that they should complete. Instructors will receive additional emails during and after the student CES access dates.
• The last column includes the dates that CES will be available for the students to complete course evaluations.

The full CES administration schedule is always accessible online.

The Basketball Tournament (TBT) has returned to Charles Koch Arena, and the AfterShocks will play its third game against The Enchantment, the University of New Mexico’s alumni team, after winning game one and losing game two, at 8 p.m. today, July 24.

The AfterShocks, who took home the championship and $1 million prize last year, are looking for a repeat to win this year’s $2 million prize. The team must win this game to continue on in the tournament for another chance at the prize.

Shocker Nation can help cheer on the AfterShocks in Charles Koch Arena by purchasing tickets at goshockers.evenue.net/events/TBT.

The Basketball Tournament (TBT) has returned to Charles Koch Arena, and the AfterShocks will play its second game against The Enchantment, the University of New Mexico’s alumni team, at 8 p.m. today, July 23 after a dominating 98-77 win.

The AfterShocks, who took home the championship and $1 million prize last year, are looking for a repeat to win this year’s $2 million prize.

A third game is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, July 24 as the tiebreaker of the first two games, if necessary.

Shocker Nation can help cheer on the AfterShocks in Charles Koch Arena by purchasing tickets at goshockers.evenue.net/events/TBT.

Sydney McKinney, Shocker softball’s most decorated athlete in school history, has officially been named an assistant coach for the program, as announced by head coach Kristi Bredbenner July 22.

A three-time All-American and two-time American Conference Player of the Year, McKinney returns to the dugout on a full-time basis after spending the past season as a graduate assistant on staff. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 Athletes Unlimited Collegiate Softball Draft will oversee the defense, while also serving as the recruiting coordinator.

The 2026 Fall Address will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Doors will open at 2 p.m.

Join President Rick Muma and guest speakers Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost; Ashlie Jack, vice provost for Academic Affairs; Victoria Koop, Faculty Senate president and associate professor of educational leadership; and Gabriel Fonseca, Staff Senate president and executive director of Student Engagement & Belonging; alongside students working in the new Hub for Advanced Manufacturing and Research, Samuel Reader and Stephan Moore II; as they outline key focus areas for the coming year.

Following the address, refreshments will be available at 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom. Refer to the faculty/staff parking map for nearby lots.

Join your colleagues in celebrating Ellen Abbey’s nearly 47 years of service to Wichita State at a retirement celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room. The celebration is a come-and-go event, and light refreshments will be served, including cake and snacks. Brief remarks will be given starting at 3:15 p.m.

Abbey, director of Auxiliary Services, was instrumental in solidifying Shocker Printing and Promo Solutions as hallmark support services and partners for the entire campus community. Abbey served as president of the Classified Staff Senate during the 2003-04 term, and she was recently recognized at the 2025 Service Recognition celebration for 45 years of service to the university. She was recognized as a Bender of Twigs in 2005.

If you are unable to attend the celebration but still want to wish Abbey a happy retirement, you can drop off cards to her at the Post Office on campus in Morrison Hall.

Stop by the Food Truck Plaza on campus to enjoy cuisines from local food truck vendors.

Wednesday:

• Desi Fusion: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Thursday:

• Desi Fusion: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Schedule is subject to change. Visit the Food Truck Plaza website for the most up-to-date information.

The National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems announced July 20 a landmark strategic partnership designed to position Kansas as the nation’s leading hub for Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, uncrewed aircraft system testing, advanced aerial mobility and autonomous flight development.

“Kelly Hills offers access to nearly 49,000 square miles of airspace, a robust detect‑and‑avoid architecture, and a growing roster of commercial and government users,” said John Tomblin, WSU executive vice president for Research and Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR executive director. “Combined with NIAR’s engineering depth and industry relationships, we are creating a national asset that accelerates innovation and commercialization.”

JetZero will open an engineering office in the John Bardo Center on Wichita State’s Innovation Campus near the National Institute for Aviation Research. The new satellite engineering office will focus on advanced materials expertise, digital engineering and certification testing capabilities in direct support of JetZero’s Z4 program.

The Wichita office deepens JetZero’s presence in the U.S. aerospace industrial base, complementing the company’s headquarters and advanced manufacturing and final assembly campus under construction in Greensboro, North Carolina and its Design Center in Long Beach, California. 

Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and Orizon Aerostructures announced July 20 a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating aerospace and defense manufacturing through integrated engineering, research and production capabilities. 

The collaboration combines Orizon’s award-winning advanced manufacturing capabilities with NIAR’s world-class expertise in engineering, research, testing, certification and digital transformation. Together, the organizations will support customers in accelerating product development, industrialization, production ramp-up and supply chain readiness.