Author: Caelin Bragg

Tyler Lefebvre enjoys Wichita’s diverse dining scene and the activities and clubs offered at Wichita State University. Tyler has been involved with the Wichita State’s varsity esports program as a team member and helping organize and manage the team.

Tyler is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Nicolas Olmedo studied economics in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and will start work at Textron Aviation in January in the sales development program.

Nicolas is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

To help faculty and staff plan their time off and work schedules throughout the year, Wichita State shares the winter closedown period schedule that has been approved for this year.

The closedown will commence at the end of the day on Dec. 18, 2023, and WSU will reopen the morning of Jan. 2, 2024. The closedown is 10 days, two of which are paid holidays and four are paid days so you will not be required to use accrued leave for those six days. Classes will not be in session during this period.

Employees who would normally be scheduled to work the days may use accumulated vacation leave or their 2023 discretionary day* during the winter closedown. Non-exempt employees can also use accumulated compensatory time off during the winter closedown.

If your role requires you to work during the winter closedown it must be approved in advance by your immediate supervisor. For those that are required to work during the winter closedown, we appreciate your dedication and service to the university.

Schedule of winter closedown:

• Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023
• Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023
• Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023
• Friday, Dec. 22, 2023
• Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 (Paid Holiday)
• Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Monday Jan. 1, 2024 (Paid Holiday)

An employee must be in pay status the entire workday before and the entire workday after state holidays to receive holiday pay. The official state holidays are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Please refer to these frequently asked questions for more information on your leave days and what to do if you work during the winter closedown.

*The discretionary day for 2023 must be used on or before Dec. 23, 2023.

Mariann Kurosu worked as a graduate research assistant for the Center for Real Estate while working towards her master’s in economics and quantitative analysis, which she will graduate with this December. She encourages her classmates to embrace the opportunity to learn and build their critical thinking skills and network by getting to know their peers.

Mariann is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Maame Adwoa Ankrah was interested in going to Wichita State for its affordability and for the atmosphere of the city of Wichita. While it was first a challenge to adjust to a new culture, she was able to succeed with the support of her peers and mentors and will graduate with her master’s degree in Spanish with no regrets.

Maame is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

More than 1,400 students are eligible to participate in Wichita State University’s 126th fall commencement ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 in Charles Koch Arena.

All graduates will walk across the stage and be individually recognized. Doctoral candidates will be hooded at the ceremony.

Speaking to the graduates this year are Gene and Yolanda Camarena. Gene Camarena is the president and CEO of La Raza Pizza Inc., and Yolanda Camarena has been an advocate for social justice and equity in education. They are also the founders of the Shocker Adelante Scholars scholarship program, which they started in 2020.

The Wichita Eagle has announced the winners of its annual Best of Wichita competition, and Wichita State was voted top three in multiple categories, including a gold placement as the best college/university in Wichita.

Below is a list of all of Wichita State’s placements:

• Wichita State University was voted gold for best college/university.
• The WSU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic was voted silver for best audiologist/hearing center.
• The WSU Child Development Center was voted silver for best childcare.

And one of Wichita State’s Innovation Campus partners, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, was voted gold for best tacos in Wichita.

We thank Shocker Nation for their participation in the voting process.

Ryan Littlejohn worked his way through Wichita State University with instructors who helped him with the balancing act of academics and a busy life.

Ryan is one of more than 1,300 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Courtney Lockhart enjoys escaping to nearby Lake Afton Park to fish and relax. He works for the Student Outreach and Support/CARE Team in Student Affairs at Wichita State University.

Courtney is one of more than 1,300 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Amanda Morales found it difficult to balance her studies while being a mother and wife and working full-time, but through the support of those around her, she was able to persist and will now graduate this fall with her bachelor’s degree in education.

Amanda is one of more than 1,300 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.