Author: Caelin Bragg

Wichita State University is committed to preserving and supporting freedom of thought, speech and expression on our campus.

Visit the WSU Freedom of Expression web page for more information.

You can also view the Kansas Board of Regents’ Statement on Free Expression here.

Shockers can attend on-campus Wichita State fine arts and athletics events at no additional charge with a Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

Support your fellow classmates and faculty while exploring the creative pursuits WSU has to offer and display your Shocker pride at home athletic games.

The Wichita State University campus will remain open on Tuesday, Jan. 21, but due to expected bitterly cold temperatures tomorrow, classes will be held remotely.

Faculty or staff who are unable to safely travel to work or get around on campus should immediately contact their supervisor or department chair to develop an alternative plan that accommodates specific needs and minimizes disruption to operations. 

We appreciate everyone’s flexibility as the Wichita area experiences inclement weather.

Join the Student Government Association (SGA) Student Senate for a meeting at 6:30 p.m. today in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail room. The meeting will be recorded and available on the SGA YouTube by end of day Thursday.

The Wichita State SGA is the governing entity for the student experience at the university. SGA is charged with promoting and stimulating student participation in the university’s activities and providing an official channel of communication between the students, faculty, staff and administration.

Seeing an opportunity to support partnerships with the Wichita community, Wichita State University has established the new Office of Community Partnerships.

Under the new office, the Community Engagement Institute (CEI) and Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC), alongside other WSU affiliates such as the Small Business Development Center, will seamlessly support collaborations between the university and community partners.

The creation of the office was a joint effort led by Dr. Scott Wituk, CEI executive director, and Misty Bruckner, PPMC director.

Ben Stein, economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author, will speak at the 2025 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Seat reservations are required, and the event is free and open to the public.

Stein, a Yale Law School valedictorian, has worked as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, authored more than 30 books on finance and law, and has become a key figure in exposing the junk bond scandal. Widely recognized for his iconic role in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and for hosting “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” Stein continues to speak on economics and politics.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011), Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama, and Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

Ben Stein, economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author, will speak at the 2025 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Seat reservations are required, and the event is free and open to the public.

Stein, a Yale Law School valedictorian, has worked as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, authored more than 30 books on finance and law, and has become a key figure in exposing the junk bond scandal. Widely recognized for his iconic role in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and for hosting “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” Stein continues to speak on economics and politics.

Stay tuned for more information on an exclusive Q&A for students at 2 p.m. March 11.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011), Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama, and Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

Join the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing for the ninth annual Strategic Communications marketing and communications seminar for faculty and staff from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 30. And if your team is looking to order promo items for your office, visit the Vendor Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The opening session, breakout sessions and Vendor Fair will all be held on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. Gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing and communication efforts. Attendees may choose to attend two of five sessions.

Dear Wichita State family:

It is an extraordinary honor to hold appointment as your new senior executive vice president and provost! I believe Wichita State University’s evolving model of higher education is the future, and I find it so inspiring to be here with you to drive responsive innovation that puts our students and their success at the center of building a stronger and more vibrant Wichita and beyond.

Wichita State’s dynamic enterprise — including our students, faculty, staff, our Innovation Campus, the National Institute for Aviation Research, WSU Tech and the upcoming Wichita Biomedical Campus — reflects a deep commitment to being future-forward and driving a university model of the future. I could not be more excited or prouder to be a part of this great university and cannot wait to meet each and every one of you!

In my career, I have been deeply committed to advancing academic and inclusive excellence; fostering the success of students, faculty and staff; expanding the research enterprise; and strengthening existing public-private partnerships while forging new ones to support the university’s mission and the communities it serves.

My background and passions are so uniquely aligned with Wichita State that, although I have only been on the job for a few weeks, it already feels like home. I want to thank President Muma for entrusting me to serve in this incredible role, and I also want to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of my predecessor, Dr. Shirley Lefever, whose visionary leadership has left a lasting legacy for Shocker Nation. I am deeply honored to able to build upon the strong foundation she established.

In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to learning more about our students, faculty and staff, our campus and the community of Wichita. I am eager to hear your ideas and begin our work together. To those whom I have met, thank you for welcoming me to Shocker Nation. I am thrilled to join such a forward-thinking and dedicated community, and I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together.

Warm regards,
Dr. Monica Lounsbery

President Rick Muma and WuShock surprised the Child Development Center Jan. 17 for this month’s Rick Rewards. President Muma wished to recognize the important work the staff and teaching assistants do for the community, both for the university and for the city, as well as recognize the important applied learning opportunities they offer to Shockers.

Rick Rewards is awarded each month by President Muma to show his appreciation for the efforts of the campus community.