Author: Caelin Bragg

Kansas home values will continue to appreciate in the coming year, according to the 2024 Kansas Housing Markets Forecast series published by the Wichita State University Center for Real Estate.

“The inventory of homes available for sale is very limited,” said Dr. Stan Longhofer, director of the WSU Center for Real Estate. “As a result, the market still favors sellers despite the softening of demand due to higher mortgage rates.” 

Longhofer will present the forecast at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Kansas Association of Realtors Annual Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan. He will be available for interviews after his presentation at about 11:30 a.m.

Wichita State University’s efforts to transform the educational experience for students and redefine the role of a university to foster statewide economic growth have yielded remarkable results: the highest enrollment in its 128-year history.  

Combined enrollment by headcount across all Wichita State University locations for fall 2023 is 23,203, according to the annual data released today by the Kansas Board of Regents.   

For the Wichita State campus, the numbers represent an increase of 3.7% in fall student headcount from 16,921 in 2022 to 17,548 in 2023. That’s the largest number of students ever choosing to enroll at Wichita State.  

At WSU Tech, student headcount increased 12.6% from 5,021 last year to 5,655 this year — also the highest headcount ever for WSU Tech. 

Shockers should schedule an appointment with their academic advisors to plan their schedule of courses for the spring 2024 semester.

The spring 2024 course schedule will be available starting Wednesday, Oct. 4. Students can discuss what courses they should take with their academic advisor and be ready to register for their classes when spring 2024 registration begins the week of Nov. 13.

President Rick Muma spoke at the annual ICT Summit, “Downtown: A Vision for Our City’s Core,” Sept. 21. Three sets of panelists discussed the history of downtown Wichita, the developments currently underway and the future of downtown.

President Muma spoke about the upcoming Wichita Biomedical Campus in downtown Wichita, which will house the College of Health Professions and WSU Tech’s Health Professions program, and the vision of creating a health care corridor to strengthen learning, collaboration and research for the Wichita community.

Shockers can enjoy a special deal on a meal from Jersey Mike’s at Braeburn Square. Bring your Shocker ID with you and receive any regular size sub, chip and drink for $12.95.

The offer is only available at the Braeburn Square location at 4521 E. 21st Street North.

Jersey Mike’s at Braeburn Square is offering a deal during happy hour for Shockers with their Shocker ID through the end of October.

Stop by Jersey Mike’s from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays until Oct. 30 for $2 off any regular or giant sub by presenting your Shocker ID at checkout.

The offer is only available at the Braeburn Square location at 4521 E. 21st Street North.

Wichitan Leslie Rudd established the Rudd Foundation in 1994 and in 2018 the Rudd Scholars Program began honoring the Midwestern values that strengthen character and lead to a lifetime of success in business, community, and family.

Bayle Sandy, senior economics and political science major, was a recipient of the 2020 Rudd Scholarship.

Shocker Nation can now enjoy a new dining option on campus with Two Hands Corn Dogs now open at Braeburn Square on the Innovation Campus.

Its menu includes items such as corn dogs, elotes, fries and tots with Korean-style twists, as well as a selection of slush and soda. Opening day hours for Friday, Sept. 22 are from noon to 7 p.m., with the normal business hours being from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

And to celebrate the opening, diners can enjoy a corn dog at no additional charge during a special event from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 and on Sept. 24.

John and Gail Wadsworth have given a lead gift of $1.5 million to Wichita State University and Shocker Athletics, earmarked for the Softball Team Operations Facility at Wilkins Stadium. The building is a part of the $9.65 million Phase 1 of the stadium renovation plan, which will begin development in the spring of 2024.

“Gail and I feel so fortunate to be able to support the Shocker Softball program at Wichita State and elevate their facilities to match the caliber of the program,” said John Wadsworth. “Student athletes work incredibly hard to succeed in all aspects of their collegiate experience, and supporting projects that will benefit their development is something we encourage everyone to consider.”

John and Gail are both 1979 graduates of Wichita State University with degrees in mechanical engineering and elementary education, respectively.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) awarded $150,000 to Wichita State University to assist in providing resources and support for small businesses and start-ups focused on STEM and research and development.

The SBA’s 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage Two funded 35 accelerator partnerships to foster a thriving national innovation ecosystem that advances equitable investment in innovative startups and high growth small businesses.