Author: Caelin Bragg

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the legislature relevant to Wichita State. The next meeting for the legislative session is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, March 6 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room. The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students.

As Wichita anticipates potential severe storms this weekend, be sure that you are prepared and remain aware of current weather forecasts as you make your way to and around campus.

• Sign up to receive ShockerAlerts straight to your phone, which will send you tornado warnings in the area through the National Weather Service, and check the current status of campus at wichita.edu/alert.
• If there are changes to normal campus operations, they will be communicated via WSU email, WSU social media, the Campus Alert Page and ShockerAlerts.
• Review the list of tornado shelters on campus in case of a weather emergency.
• Keep your devices charged and check your email regularly for updates. Consider installing a weather app of your choosing to keep an eye on local forecasts.

In Kansas, thunderstorms are common in the spring and fall months, while at the same time the actual severity of storm events, and their location, are difficult to predict by even the best meteorologist. Storms can occur within very short notice and often last for a short duration of time.

During these events, it is important for everyone to stay up to date with weather notifications and evaluate their own situation, prioritize personal safety and make responsible choices about whether it is safe to come to campus.

In case you did not receive an alert during this week’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week tornado drill, you can sign up to receive alerts straight to your phone by going to wichita.edu/alert and signing up for ShockerAlerts.

The alerts will notify you in the event of an emergency situation on or around campus or if there is a change in operations on campus.

Jonathan Cross and Stephen Cross Jr., investment adviser representatives with Voya Financial, will be available for in-person meetings at Wichita State Monday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 10. Faculty and staff can get one-on-one advising and review their Voya Financial accounts as part of their KBOR retirement plan, or new employees can receive assistance in enrolling in their KBOR plan.

If you are interested in meeting with Jonathan or Stephen, you can schedule a time to meet and select the “Wichita State University / One-On-One Financial Counseling” while selecting your location. Time slots are limited, so reserve a time soon. For questions, you can call 316-788-0788.

Wichita State student Lauren Hughes has been nominated for the 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for undergraduates pursuing research careers in science, engineering, mathematics and computer science.

Hughes is majoring in biological sciences with minors in chemistry and American Sign Language.

Enter to win either a red parking spot for an entire semester or a $250 GreenPhire VISA gift card, among other prizes, by completing the confidential National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey sent to your Wichita State email address by WSU’s HOPE Services department.

For questions about the survey, contact Cora Olson, assistant director of HOPE Services, at 316-978-4792 or cora.olson@wichita.edu.

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.

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, 25th U.S. national security advisor, will speak at the 2026 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Free general admission tickets are available now.

McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for 34 years before retiring as a lieutenant general in June 2018. His military awards include the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Purple Heart.

McMaster has authored three New York Times bestselling books. “Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Lies that Led to Vietnam” and “Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World” examine the most critical foreign policy and national security challenges that the United States has faced. His latest book, “At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House,” recollects his time serving under President Trump’s first administration.

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, former anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, 25th U.S. national security advisor, will speak at the 2026 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Free general admission tickets are available now.

Additionally, an exclusive student event with McMaster will be held earlier in the day at 3:30 p.m. April 8 in 261 Rhatigan Student Center, Olive Room. RSVP to meet McMaster.

McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for 34 years before retiring as a lieutenant general in June 2018. His military awards include the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Purple Heart.

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, former anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

Shocker men’s basketball is playing with the No. 2 seed in the American Conference on the line against Florida Atlantic at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, and students can cheer them on at no additional charge by going to goshockers.com/studenttickets, thanks to the Student Government Association.

A win against FAU will give the Shockers a bye to the semifinals of the American Conference Championship, putting the team just two wins away from a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Additionally, students can attend the pregame Shocker Pride Community Wide Tailgate from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. south of Charles Koch Arena. Enjoy a beer garden (ID required), free tailgate food, music, lawn games and more while supplies last.