Author: Caelin Bragg

Welcomefest is the official welcome campaign for new and returning Shockers and features events, activities and services designed to help everyone have a successful transition to life at Wichita State. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include Clash of the Colleges, Involvement Fair and much more.

Hosted by various student groups and campus departments, most events are free and give all students a chance to get acquainted with each other, learn their way around campus and find ways to connect with the community. View the schedule of events at wichita.edu/welcomefest.

The Wichita Eagle has released its 2025 Best of Wichita nominations, and Wichita State has been nominated in several categories. The community can vote once a day for their choices in each category through the voting period until 5 p.m. Friday Sept. 5.

• Eat & drink – All-Around Restaurant: Freddy’s
• Eat & drink – Bar/Tavern: Social Tap Drinkery
• Eat & drink – Beer Selection: Social Tap Drinkery
• Eat & drink – Lunch Spot: Wichita State Food Truck Plaza
• Eat & drink – Sports Bar: Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes
• Eat & drink – Tacos: Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
• Education – Childcare: WSU Child Development Center
• Education – College/University: Wichita State University
• Health & beauty – Audiologist/Hearing Center: Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
• Health & beauty – Speech Therapy: Wichita State University (Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic)
• Things to do – Art Gallery: WSU Shift Space, Ulrich Museum of Art, Clayton Staples Gallery
• Things to do – Bowling: Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes
• Things to do – Hotel: Hyatt Place at Wichita State University
• Things to do – Live Theatre: Wilner Auditorium
• Things to do – Museum: Ulrich Museum of Art, Lowell Holmes Museum of Anthropology

It is important for students to make connections with their peers, faculty, staff and resources on campus. Encourage students to arrive early to their classes, in-person or remotely, to get to know other students and their instructors. For tips on what to say to professors, students can check out the Student Success website. Students should also attend Welcomefest events to meet their peers and get connected to campus resources.

Awareness of early deadlines is important for this and future semesters:

A new semester which brings excitement but also urgency in relation to early deadlines that can contribute to student success. Encourage students to visit the academic calendar to find deadlines related to schedule changes, payment arrangements and refunds. If students are planning on applying for scholarships to cover costs next year, they should visit the scholarship website to access opportunities. Some scholarship deadlines may have already passed, so let students know now is the time to submit the required information.

The Academe newsletter has returned, and faculty and staff can now submit items for consideration for the first edition in September.

Academe will be published four times a year and will highlight faculty and staff accomplishments. When submitting your item, you will select one of five different categories:

• Research and Publications: Highlights faculty and staff who have recently published research or articles to journals or other reputable publications.
• Presentations: Highlights faculty and staff who have given presentations or seminars off campus, such as at other universities or at conferences.
• Special Projects: Highlights faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond on a project for the university or the community.
• Accolades: Highlights faculty and staff who have been recognized or awarded by a reputable organization.
• In the News: Highlights faculty and staff who have provided their expertise to stories in the news, such as newspapers, magazines, web news, TV stations and/or radio stations.

After selecting your category, please fill out the relevant information for your submission. If you are submitting on behalf of someone else, please indicate that in the comments section.

Submissions for the September edition will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 5. Submission deadlines for future editions of Academe will be shared in WSU Today, so be on the lookout.

If you have questions regarding submissions to Academe, reach out to Caelin Bragg, newsletter editor, at caelin.bragg@wichita.edu or 316-978-3013.

Make sure you know where to find WSU’s numerous resources available to you to ensure your time spent in academe is fruitful and supported:

• Shocker Success Center – Visit the Shocker Success Center right next to the RSC to find a hub for most of the resources you’ll need as a Shocker, including the Shocker Learning Center, or as a place to relax and study between classes.
• Dining – Wichita State has many dining options for you to choose from, including Shocker Dining Hall in Shocker Hall; the RSC food court; and Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes. And over on the Innovation Campus, stop by the NetApp Café or Cargill Café, and plan an outing to Braeburn Square for tacos, subs and more.
• Wellness – Student Health Services serves all students and treats your medical needs. Visit studenthealth.wichita.edu to learn more and schedule an appointment. Counseling and Psychological Services offers mental health resources to all Shockers through its Counseling Services and HOPE Services.

Take a break from your syllabi reviews and class introductions by checking out the dozens of events hosted on campus over the next few weeks as part of Welcomefest. Below are just a few of the highlights:

• Welcome tables – Visit the RSC from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 18/19 to learn about all the resources available to you and to have your questions answered.
• Esports Hub open house – Head over to the Heskett Center Esports Hub from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20 to explore the space and connect with likeminded Shockers.
• RSC Day Shocker Night – From sun up to sun down, the Rhatigan Student Center has special events all day Thursday, Aug. 21. Check out the full list of events: wichita.edu/RSCDayShockerNight
• Clash of the Colleges – Join the 11th annual Clash of the Colleges and compete in a variety of competitions between academic colleges to determine who rules the school for the year. RSVP: wichita.edu/clash
• Career Connection Root Beer Kegger – Enjoy hot dogs and ice-cold root beer while networking with more than 50 employers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27.
• S’mores and Oars – Shocker Rowing has an evening full of fun on the Arkansas River from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 at the Shocker Rowing Boathouse at 150 N. McLean Blvd.
• Shocker volleyball – Wichita State’s Shocker volleyball team swept its conference last season, making it to the NCAA Tournament. Check out their first game of the semester at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29 in Charles Koch Arena.

Find more events at wichita.edu/welcomefest.

Welcome home, Shockers!

Whether you’re kicking off your first semester or your final lap, we’re glad you’re here. Wichita State just isn’t the same without you.

There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and we all bring different backgrounds and perspectives to this campus. That diversity is part of what makes Shocker Nation so vibrant.

Watch President Muma’s full welcome back

Thank you for reading the first Shocker Blast of the fall 2025 semester. This special edition features everything you need to start your semester off on the right foot.

There’s a lot of information in Shocker Blast that’s useful to you as a student, like your special Shocker perks, hidden gems on campus, events with your peers, important deadlines and more, so be on the lookout every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

And keep an eye out for Wuber today and tomorrow to get a ride around campus. If you catch one, be sure to snap a photo and tag or DM us on Instagram and we will share your photos: @wichitastateu.

Welcomefest is the official welcome campaign for new and returning Shockers and features events, activities and services designed to help everyone have a successful transition to life at Wichita State. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include Clash of the Colleges, Involvement Fair and much more.

Hosted by various student groups and campus departments, most events are free and give all students a chance to get acquainted with each other, learn their way around campus and find ways to connect with the community. View the schedule of events at wichita.edu/welcomefest.

President Rick Muma with other university leadership held the 2025 Fall Address Aug. 13 in Miller Concert Hall at Duerksen Fine Arts Center.

Speakers discussed what’s coming up for the university and the campus community’s efforts that have led to tremendous progress on the university’s priorities:

• Helping families through access and affordability
• Supporting Kansas businesses with a talent pipeline that meets employer needs
• Increasing economic prosperity with higher education that benefits the Kansas economy

If you were unable to catch it live, you can find the livestream archive on Wichita State’s YouTube channel.