Author: Caelin Bragg

Explore the wide range of events hosted by nearly 300 on-campus student organizations. The ShockerSync calendar is your go-to resource for finding activities that match your interests: wichita.edu/shockersync.

Headlined by a top-10 finish by junior Kate Tilma, the Shocker women’s golf team finished eighth at the 2025 American Athletic Conference Women’s Golf Championship at Southern Hills Plantation Club.

In round two, Kate Tilma put together a field-best 67 score, jumping up 20 spots on the scoreboard into fourth place. Her second round was the best individual round score of any competitor in the entire tournament. The 67 score ties the second-best 18-hole score by any Shocker all-time in any tournament, only surpassed by Taryn Torgerson’s 64 score at the 2018 AAC Championship.

Tilma is one of only two Shockers to finish in the top ten at the AAC Championship, surpassed only by Torgerson’s win in 2018. The Shockers’ team finish of eighth was their second-highest finish competing in the AAC.

As of today, there has been no reported measles cases in Sedgwick County, per county health officials who are closely monitoring the situation. Unvaccinated residents are the most at risk when traveling to areas with known outbreaks or when traveling internationally. While preparing for summer travel, both domestically and internationally, and returning to families at the end of the semester, Student Health advises you to review your personal vaccination history and refer to the Sedgwick County document for measles (MMR) vaccine recommendations.

Visit the Sedgwick County Health Department Measles site for additional information regarding measles data, symptoms and treatment, prevention and up-to-date local measles vaccination clinics.

Student Health Services can administer MMR vaccines and provide up-to-date information on its health advisories page. Call 316-978-4792 for more information regarding insurance coverage and costs of the measles vaccination, as well as discuss if you should receive an MMR booster. 

College life can be overwhelming between family, friends, classes and studying that you may feel you’re missing out. Beat the FOMO and check out all the student organization events on campus through the ShockerSync calendar: wichita.edu/shockersync.

Following the recent signing of the state budget by Gov. Laura Kelly, Wichita State is moving forward on several priorities impacted by this year’s legislative session.

• The state appropriated a 2.5%, or $1.7 million, pool to help Wichita State University address market-based compensation. These funds will be distributed based on market-based compensation priorities in alignment with ongoing efforts to support and retain employees.
• Wichita State will also receive approximately $3.3 million from the state’s Campus Restoration Fund. This funding, which is part of a $30 million investment shared across all Kansas Board of Regents institutions, will support critical deferred maintenance projects on campus.
• Although the governor vetoed our request to fund a feasibility and programmatic study for a proposed school of dentistry as part of Phase 2 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, Wichita State will proceed with the study independently. The university remains committed to exploring how a dental school can help meet the critical oral health needs of Kansans, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Additional details will be shared as plans progress.

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the Kansas legislature relevant to Wichita State at 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 18 virtually via Microsoft Teams.

To find a link to the meeting, reach out to Olivia Kerschen, executive assistant to the president, at olivia.kerschen@wichita.edu.

The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students. Legislative updates are held every other Friday.

April 12 was the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Race to Jam competition in which eight MLT/MLS programs signed up to compete, two teams from WSU MLS signed up to represent the college. Race to Jam is a national competition for laboratory science students to show off their knowledge in a bracket-style trivia game. The competition tests students by asking questions for each discipline on three levels of difficulty.

Both teams went into the semifinals, but it was the second team that will be in the finals June 8-12 in Sacramento, California.

The School of Education Spring Colloquium keynote speaker, Dr. Sun Young Lee, will be presenting on “The Question of Equity in the Science of Reading Reforms” from 5 to 6 p.m. May 5 in 110B Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium.

Dr. Lee is an assistant professor in the School of Education. Her research focuses on the politics of educational knowledge in teacher education, literacy education and Asian American education. Using historical, comparative and qualitative methods, she critically examines the paradoxes of well-intended education policies and reforms.

College is the perfect time to create long-lasting memories and friendships. Whether you’re into sports, arts, community service or something super niche, the ShockerSync calendar has events that cater to all interests: wichita.edu/shockersync.

Suspenders4Hope, a program developed at Wichita State University, is highlighting different departments and individuals on campus who are advocates for mental health in hopes that their stories will inspire others to continue supporting one another in the community.

The CARE Team and Student Outreach and Support (SOS) are being recognized for their proactive support for the campus community. Their work ensures students, staff and faculty alike all have the tools necessary to work and learn at their full potential. Hear from Katie Davidson, director of SOS, on how the teams are supporting mental health.