Author: Caelin Bragg

Peter Zoller, associate professor emeritus and former associate vice president in Academic Affairs, passed away June 7.

Zoller joined Wichita State in 1973, teaching in the Department of English and later becoming chair of the department. He went on to serve as president of the Faculty Senate in 1988 and was recognized as a Bender of Twigs in 1999.

Memorials have been established with the Lord’s Diner, Guadalupe Clinic and the University of San Francisco.

Dear faculty and staff:

I hope you are enjoying the summer, whether you are off work for a few months or have something fun planned.

As we continue working on our fiscal year 2027 budget, I want to share an update regarding this year’s compensation-allocation approach and the steps we are taking to support our employees.

Given the limited funding available, we have made the decision to prioritize two key areas within our Market-Based Compensation program:

• Ensuring equity within pay ranges by bringing all eligible* staff to at least the minimum of their respective compensation ranges and faculty to the minimum floor for their respective rank.
• Providing a one-time bonus to recognize the continued dedication and contributions of our faculty and staff.

We have already implemented the first priority as part of the annual budget roll process. Adjustments were made to bring eligible employees to the minimum of their pay ranges, and leaders have been provided with communication to support those conversations.

The second priority, the one-time bonus, will occur later this year. Here are the details:

• Employees who are active on payroll as of Oct. 1, 2026, will be eligible for the one-time bonus.
• Eligible* employees will receive a one-time bonus of $500 on their Nov. 20 paycheck.

I recognize that compensation is an important part of how we value and support our staff and faculty. While this year’s funding constraints required us to make difficult decisions, our focus remains on advancing equitable pay practices and recognizing your contributions in meaningful ways. Because the one-time bonus will not be added to your base salary, we will be able to capture those same funds next fiscal year to combine with any additional funding we may receive from the state next year.

Thank you for all you do each day to support our students, our mission and one another. Your work continues to move Wichita State forward.

Sincerely,
Wichita State President Rick Muma

*Employees in the following status or division of the university are not included in the market-based compensation program: temporary positions, lecturers or visiting professors, student employees, athletic coaches and employees in the Division of Industry and Defense Programs.

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

Wednesday:

• OurFolk Coffee: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Carne Asada Jalisco: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• 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.

Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 202), CRN: 30386, offered online starting June 29, dives into how households and businesses make decisions, how competition shapes prices, and how issues like regulation, globalization and environmental policy affect everyday choices. A smart pick for anyone who wants to understand the forces behind what we buy, sell and value.

Avant-Garde Art, Film, Rock Music and Subcultures (FA 321), CRN: 30494, offered online starting June 29, explores the bold art and film movements that shaped late‑20th‑century music, visual culture and subcultures — from punk and glam to goth, hacker and rave. Includes attendance at exhibitions, film screenings and lectures.

Located right in front of the Rhatigan Student Center and Shocker Success Center is the Community Garden, open to the community to harvest a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Check out what’s currently growing for the week of June 8, 2026. Make sure to wash what you pick thoroughly before enjoying:

• Onions – Ready for picking now in the northernmost beds. To pick, pull on the stems sticking up until the onion releases from the ground. Be sure to keep the stems as those are green onions and can be used to garnish your dishes.
• Potatoes – Ready to be harvested at the end of June and will be replaced with sweet potatoes
• Garlic – The stems should turn brown when they are ready to pick, which will be late June/early July
• Squash – Not ready to be picked
• Tomatoes – Not ready to be picked

The Community Garden is a project of the Student Government Association, the President’s Office and Student Engagement & Belonging.

Shocker women’s tennis head coach Jacob Eddins was announced as the 2026 ITA/Dunlop Central Region Coach of the Year June 9.

Eddins was named head coach in September 2025 and quickly elevated the program to the national stage, producing one of the best overall years in program history in his first season at the helm.

The Shockers reached as high as No. 24 in the ITA rankings during the spring 2026 season and earned an at-large bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The team ended the season ranked No. 35 and was rated No. 3 in the ITA Mid-Major top 25 rankings as well as No. 2 in the ITA Central Region.

Shocker baseball senior third baseman Jayson Jones was named to the ABCA/Rawlings Central All-Region Second Team June 9.

Jones is the first Shocker to earn a spot on the All-Region team since Caden Favors in 2024 and the first position player to do so since Payton Tolle in 2023.

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

Tuesday:

• Desi Fusion: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Wednesday:

• OurFolk Coffee: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Carne Asada Jalisco: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• 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.

Wichita State is pleased to introduce Jason Ladner, director of industry engagement in health innovation, to the university. In this role, Ladner supports the development and advancement of initiatives connected to the Wichita Biomedical Campus, helping strengthen WSU’s impact at the intersection of education, research and community health.

Ladner brings a strong focus on supply chain challenges within healthcare systems. His work centers on identifying gaps and uncovering opportunities that can drive innovation, improve efficiencies and better position WSU to contribute meaningful solutions in a rapidly evolving industry.

As part of his role, Ladner engages with healthcare organizations and systems to better understand their needs while exploring how WSU’s capabilities — from applied learning to interdisciplinary collaboration — can support real-world outcomes. He also works to build partnerships that foster health solutions and innovation.

Ladner reports to Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost, and plays a key role in advancing strategic priorities tied to community impact.