Author: Caelin Bragg

The Graduate School will be closed from 11:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16 for a staff event. Items to be dropped off can be left in the locked drop box next to the office’s front door.

Opportunities, connections and love — Dimitri Seneviratne found it all at Wichita State. While majoring in product design and manufacturing engineering, Dimitri found many opportunities to expand his horizons outside of the classroom at places like GoCreate, National Institute for Aviation Research and the Marcus Welcome Center.

Jaymes Squires worked hard to juggle a full-time job and a growing family while pursuing his academic ambitions. His perseverance paid off, and Jaymes will graduate from Wichita State with a bachelor’s degree in general studies in December. 

For Diego Vargas-Ruiz, college life was trying to find a balance between academe, friends and personal health, but instead of trying to fight it, he took the challenge as an opportunity to optimize his responsibilities until he found his rhythm.

Following time at another university, Lilith Samples realized her hometown of Wichita was where she belonged and is now the first in her family to graduate from college. While at Wichita State University, she was able to work at the Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology in Neff Hall and hopes to continue in the profession after graduating.

Carter initially chose Wichita State University for its locality, being able to receive in-state tuition, but he also found a community in the campus and place to call home in the anthropology department in Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. They are now graduating with their master’s in anthropology with a plan to enter a doctoral program in archaeology in the future.

Wichita State senior Steven Soetjoadi was attracted to WSU because of the digital acting degree from the School of Digital Arts. Beyond his studies, he’s found a community at Shocker Studios that embraces inclusivity and ensures his needs are met with compassion and creativity.

President Rick Muma and First Gentleman Rick Case want to wish everyone in Shocker Nation happy holidays!

Aynsley Paterson stepped out of her comfort zone, overcoming her introverted nature to build friendships and make the most of the Shocker experience.

Jose Miranda is a first-generation student who chose Wichita State for its exercise science program and to remain close to home. He is also a loyal Shocker basketball fan, so staying close to Charles Koch Arena mattered.