Author: Caelin Bragg

Do you know students who are passionate about campus life, advocacy or leadership?

Encourage them to apply for Leadership for Free Expression, a two-day program hosted by the Kansas Leadership Center. This unique opportunity equips students with tools to engage in respectful, impactful conversations and demonstrations around the issues they care about most.

The program:

• Is ideal for student government reps, RAs, club leaders, athletes and campus advocates
• Builds skills in civil discourse, risk-aware advocacy and productive engagement with campus authorities
• Connects students across Kansas for powerful peer learning

Let’s help students lead with purpose and confidence.

Spots are limited, so share this opportunity today. The registration deadline is Oct. 24.

Annually, WSU remembers the 1970 football team, administrators and supporters who tragically died in the Oct. 2, 1970, plane crash in Colorado. Their names are immortalized at the Memorial ’70 sculpture located on campus at 18th and Hillside.

Additionally, the Survivors Monument was dedicated in 2020 to the eight players who survived the plane crash and the other 35 individuals from the football team that landed safely on separate plane. The Randy Jackson Survivor Tree, planted in 2010 near Memorial ‘70, was donated in Jackson’s memory after he passed away from pancreatic cancer. The survivor tree sapling was derived from the 100-year-old Survivor Tree of the Oklahoma City bombing.

The table below is to assist instructors with certain dates regarding CES. The dates shown are for the fall 2025 semester.

• The first column includes the various start/end (part-of-term) dates for fall semester courses.
• The second column includes dates meant for instructors. This is the timeframe when instructors will receive emails about the CES process and procedures that they should complete. Instructors will receive additional emails during and after the student CES access dates.
• The last column includes the dates that CES will be available for the students to complete course evaluations.

If your course is in bold, then your fall 2025 CES evaluation process will start soon. Review the start/end dates in each column so you know when your access to the CES system will start and end.

Wichita State University and the Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) are celebrating record-breaking enrollment this fall, continuing a decade of extraordinary growth. Over the past 10 years, WSU has grown 27.3% and WSU Tech 101.5%. That momentum is reflected in this fall’s historic headcount of 25,147 students — the highest in university history.

According to data from the Kansas Board of Regents, Wichita State’s main campus enrollment increased 4.3%, from 17,700 in 2024 to 18,458 in 2025. That’s the largest number of students ever choosing to enroll at Wichita State, marking five consecutive years of enrollment growth at Wichita State. Additionally, student credit hour production is at an all-time high at 170,521, an increase of 2.3% increase from 2024.

WSU Tech also reported its highest headcount and credit hours in the history of the college with 6,689 students, a 9.5% increase, and 60,211 credit hours, a 9.2% increase. This marks the first semester WSU Tech has surpassed both 6,500 students and 60,000 credit hours.

“This surge in enrollment reflects what we’ve known all along: When you prioritize access, affordability and student success, students will choose Wichita State,” said Dr. Rick Muma, Wichita State president. “In my 30 years at Wichita State, I’ve seen steady progress, and the past decade has brought remarkable growth thanks to our focus on innovation, partnerships and creating opportunities that matter for students and for Kansas.”

The Shocker Store is selling a new T-shirt in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For each one sold, $1 will be donated to Victory in the Valley, who provides support to cancer patients, survivors and their families in the area. The tee is available at both the Rhatigan Student Center and Braeburn Square stores and online.

Plus, you can participate in an Instagram giveaway for a $25 Shocker Store gift card for Breast Cancer Month, and for each entry to the giveaway, the Shocker Store will donate $1 to Victory in the Valley. How to enter:

• Step one: Take a photo of yourself either in the RSC pink photobooth or wearing the breast cancer tee
• Step two: Post it to Instagram and tag @the_shocker_store

One entry per person. Contest runs through Oct. 31, and three winners will be drawn and notified Nov. 3.

The offer is good while supplies last. No discounts accepted on this merchandise.

Wichita Repertory Theater and WSU Opera Theater join forces to present Peter Shaffer’s “Amadeus,” a thrilling drama about genius, envy and the transformative power of music for two weeks only, Oct. 10-19 at Oliver Place, 2512 N. Oliver St. Specific times and dates are below:

• 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10/11 and 17/18
• 2 p.m. Oct. 12 and 19

Narrated by court composer Antonio Salieri — the self-described “patron saint of mediocrities” — the play pits his ambition against the brilliance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, raising timeless questions about artistry, faith and the cost of greatness. Seating is reserved. For the best selection, purchase tickets on ICT Rep’s website.

Join the next physics seminar from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 in 127 Jabara Hall. The seminar features James Dellinger, Environmental Test Lab director, who will present a talk geared towards undergraduates in physics, engineering and related STEM fields to showcase the exciting and impactful work and opportunities at the Environmental Test Lab.

The seminar series brings several speakers to WSU each semester and is funded by the Eddy and April Lucas Fund, Wichita.

Wu’s Birthday Bash returns this Shocktoberfest from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the Rhatigan Student Center east atrium. Stop by the celebratory event for cupcakes, pizza, birthday goodies and giveaways. Lucky folks who are around between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. may even get their photo taken with the birthday guest.

Shocktoberfest continues through Saturday, Oct. 4 and closes out with a performance by Lupe Fiasco at Shocker Madness. View the entire schedule of events at wichita.edu/shocktoberfest.

All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in Open Enrollment. Log in to the Member Administration Portal to make your elections.

Virtual and in-person presentations will be offered:

• Oct. 3: Virtual presentation at 9 a.m.
• Oct. 7: In person presentation at 3 p.m. in 301 Rhatigan Student Center, Gridley Room

This is a very busy time, so the Total Rewards team is not available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding Open Enrollment. Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. For additional information, visit the Open Enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

The entrance to campus on Memorial Drive at Hillside Street will be closed from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 for Memorial ’70. Refer to the campus map to find another route to campus that morning.