Author: Caelin Bragg

As we head into the fall semester, you will notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State’s 330 acres and beyond.

McKnight Art Center

Construction is complete for ventilation upgrades in the printmaking classroom and studios on the second floor of McKnight North.

RSC bowling remodel

Construction is completed in the basement of the Rhatigan Student Center for the project to create offices, locker room and conference room for the women’s bowling team.

Shocker Studios expansion

Construction is complete for the expansion of Shocker Studios located at WSU South on Harry Street. The project created four new classrooms and additional office space for the growing School of Digital Arts program.

Wilkins Stadium

Construction is complete on the indoor softball practice facility adjacent to Wilkins Stadium. Inside the building is a netted softball infield that is divisible into batting and pitching practice areas. Exterior work continues on the north side of the new building where the outdoor batting cages will be relocated in preparation for construction of the softball team and operations building to the south of the new building.

University Stadium Phase 1A/1B

Construction is underway for Phase 1B of the University Stadium (formerly Cessna Stadium). This phase of construction consists of widening the field to hold a regulation-sized artificial turf soccer field and installing a nine-lane track and internal stadium sidewalks that will connect the east and west sides of the facility inside of the fence. Construction is anticipated to continue through the fall semester.

Brennan I, II and III demolitions

Demolition of the three buildings is underway. TRIO/Upward Bound staff have relocated to their new home in Grace Wilkie Hall/Grace Wilkie Annex. The demolition project is anticipated to be complete by October.

Ablah Library

Repairs are underway on the basement level to replace flooring damaged by the flooding in the spring. Look for announcements from the library on the status of the project.

Grace Wilkie Hall/Grace Wilkie Annex roof replacement

A roof replacement project is scheduled for fall 2025. Fencing will be installed around the perimeter of the building as work progresses.

Henrion Hall HVAC improvements Phase 3 and 4

Construction will begin this fall in Henrion Hall for a project to provide air conditioning to the remainder of the building following recent projects in the sculpture and ceramics classroom areas as well as relocating and expanding the wood shop. The project will be phased to allow the building to remain occupied but will affect building entrances throughout the year. Construction is anticipated to be completed in time for the fall 2026 semester.

NIAR Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Research

Construction on the NIAR HAMR building continues to progress. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. The 170,000-square-foot building is partly funded by an EDA grant and will house advanced manufacturing research labs and associated offices. The building is located on Innovation Boulevard between the Partnership Building 1 and The Suites. The first floor is primarily labs with offices on the second floor.

Partnership Building 3B

P3B, located between Partnership Building 3 and The Smart Factory @Wichita, is under construction. It will house the Forensic Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Students, have you been to student hours yet? If your answer is no, take the opportunity this week to visit at least one of your professors in their office during their student hours. Only a handful of students each semester use this opportunity to get to know their professors outside of the classroom. You might even gain an advisor, mentor or get the answer to your questions from your text.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to study, need help with research or just finding a new book to read, students have access to thousands of materials in Ablah Library. Does the library not have what you need? You can also borrow from libraries across the country, all for free, using Interlibrary Loans. You can also reserve private study spaces for you or your group. Get started by visiting wichita.edu/library.

Do you know a STEM student who loves conducting research? They may be eligible to receive an award of up to $7,500 for an entire academic year. Interested students can join an informative workshop on the Barry Goldwater Scholarship application process from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 in 265 Rhatigan Student Center, Lucas Room for an opportunity to learn how to craft a compelling application and get their questions answered. Students can RSVP by emailing: undergraduateresearch@wichita.edu.

This event is sponsored by the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub, the Graduate School, Cohen Honors College and the McNair Scholars Program.

Ready for an exciting campus adventure? The Shocker Quest is a treasure hunt designed to get you outside, exploring campus and learning about its vibrant history and art. The grand prize is collection of local gems, including a WSU mug and multiple passes to some of the best attractions in and around Wichita, including the Sedgwick County Zoo, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Wichita Art Museum, Kansas Cosmosphere, Exploration Place and Botanica.

Submit your solve to wsudpt@gmail.com by Friday, Aug. 29.

The University Police Department wants to remind students about the appropriate channels for reaching emergency services while they’re on campus.

If you are on campus with a phone:

Calling UPD directly at 316-978-3450 is ideal for getting immediate assistance. Calling 911 will connect you with Sedgwick County and could result in longer wait times for responders.

If you are on campus without access to a phone:

Use one of the many emergency telephones across campus, which are identifiable by the blue light located atop them. These phones connect straight to UPD, and even if you are unable to talk to the dispatcher, an officer will be sent to the location. You can view the locations of all emergency phones on campus through the campus map (wichita.edu/map) under “Campus Safety.”

Other resources:

• Dial 988 or text 741-741 to be connected to the suicide and crisis lifeline.
• Submit a CARE Team report for potentially concerning, but non-emergency, behaviors.
• Counseling and Psychological Services provides mental health treatment to students. Learn more about Counseling Services.

The Wichita State Police Department encourages all students, faculty, staff and visitors to remain safe while driving and walking across campus.

WSUPD offers the following safety tips to both drivers and pedestrians:

For drivers:

• Follow all traffic laws, including driving at or under speed limits and coming to a full stop at stop signs.
• Stop for all pedestrians and offer proper clearance for them to cross the road.
• Be vigilant when approaching intersections. Even if you have a green light, pedestrians may still be crossing.
• Be prepared for pedestrians to cross the road if you see them approaching a crosswalk. They may not give you adequate signals they will cross before doing so.
• Make sure to use your blinkers when making turns, and check that you don’t accidently have your blinker on when you don’t intend to turn.
• When making turns, make sure to check for pedestrians in front of you as well as where you are turning into.
• If you see a yellow light, slow down and proceed with caution when it is safe to do so. Pedestrians may start crossing as you pass through.
• Be extra vigilant when visibility is low, such as at night or in heavy rain, snow or fog.
• Consider using the Wichita State Transit buses when traffic is high or visibility is low, or when you have to drive a considerable distance across campus.

For pedestrians:

• Follow all traffic laws and traffic signals that tell you when and when not to cross.
• Always use marked crosswalks. Many drivers are not expecting pedestrians crossing elsewhere.
• Check for cars coming from both directions before you begin to cross the road.
• Remain vigilant for cars when crossing the road. Pedestrians have the right of way on roads, but drivers may not see you crossing in time to slow down.
• Make sure drivers coming from both directions have clear sight of you before you cross the road.
• When using a crosswalk, make it clear that you are about to cross before doing so to give drivers enough time to see you, slow down and let you through.
• If a driver has their car blinker on, make sure they are slowing down and completing the turn before crossing the road. They may have a malfunction or left it on by mistake and may not be turning.
• Be extra vigilant when visibility is low, such as at night or in heavy rain, snow or fog.
• Consider using the Wichita State Transit buses when traffic is high or visibility is low, or when you have to walk a considerable distance across campus.

If you have students who need help with their financial aid, through Friday, Aug. 29 advising at the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will be walk-in only, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday in 203 Jardine Hall. No appointments necessary — students can just stop by. Students can also visit for financial aid questions at OneStop in the Shocker Success Center for quick support and answers.

• Don’t forget to let students know they can check their Financial Aid Dashboard in their myWSU to stay on top of their aid status and requirements
• There’s still time for them to complete their 2025-26 FAFSA
• Do your students need help after hours? They can call the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at 316-978-3430

Now, more than ever, it is important to make connections with your fellow classmates, instructors and helpful WSU staff. Try arriving a little early to class to get to know other students and your instructors. Don’t know what to say to your instructor? Check out wsu.news/SuccessTip1 from Student Success for tips on meeting with your professors.

Wichita State’s muscle-bound mascot WuShock has his own lookalike on campus. Unveiled in 2020, the bronze WuShock sculpture stands eight feet tall in front of the Steve Clark YMCA and Student Wellness Center.

Paying homage to the history of WuShock — who’s been WSU’s mascot since 1948 ­— the sculpture features a vintage style of the mascot.

The sculpture was donated to the university by Steve Clark, whose namesake is also the YMCA on campus. The next time you’re visiting the Student Wellness Center or spending time at the Steve Clark YMCA, take a selfie with Wu and tag or DM Wichita State: @wichitastateu.