Author: Caelin Bragg

Wichita State knocked off the #1, #2 and #3-ranked teams in the country Feb. 16 to win the 2025 Mid-Winter Invitational at Hijinx Family Entertainment Center.

The tournament win is Wichita State’s second of the spring after claiming the Columbia 300 Saints Invite Feb. 2.

Wichita State has released the list of all 1,242 Shockers who graduated in fall 2024.

Overall, graduates completed a total of 1,378 degrees — 908 undergraduate degrees and certificates and 470 graduate degrees and certificates — with 153 honored as cum laude, 223 honored as magna cum laude and 47 honored as summa cum laude.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) recently awarded a Wichita State University faculty member $150,000 to further develop a smartphone application that allows visually impaired people to read materials rich in visual content.  

Dr. Darren DeFrain, professor of English and director of Wichita State’s Writing Program, has spent five years developing the Vizling app, which merges the visual and text components of graphic novels, comic books and other image-heavy literature.  

With comic books or graphic novels, stories aren’t always told in a linear format. There are visual clues as to where the readers’ eyes should go next. With Vizling, users can drag their fingers across a device and visualize which way the story is set up. They can also touch different areas of the screen to find out what’s on the screen. 

Summer and fall course schedules are now available online. WSU encourages you to meet with your advisor and decide the classes you plan to take now so you’re ready when registration begins April 7; the sooner you enroll, the more likely you are to get the classes you want.

Never thought about taking a summer class before? ​Summer classes are a great way to either catch up on credits, lighten your fall and spring course loads, or graduate sooner. They are flexible — courses are available in two-, four- or eight-week schedules with online, hybrid and in-person formats — and can be supported by financial aid.

The previously scheduled Barton Speaker Series event at Wichita State featuring Ben Stein has been canceled. Stein informed the university last week of his need to cancel due to personal circumstances.

Stein, an economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author, was set to headline the speaker series and visit campus for other events March 11.

Tickets to the event were free.

“We wish Ben well and hope there may be an opportunity to collaborate in the future,” President Rick Muma said.

Stay tuned later this year to wichita.edu/bartonseries for news of the 2026 Barton series speaker.

Dr. Moriah Beck’s journey as a scientist is rooted in the belief that research is a powerful driver of innovation and personal transformation. For Beck, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Wichita State University, research is far more than an academic pursuit — it’s a way to connect with a global scientific community and spark change.

“Undergraduate research is really why I’m here as a professor,” Beck said.

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) assessments are now in progress. Freshmen and seniors who have been selected to participate can find a link to take the survey on Blackboard.

The NSSE provides Wichita State with important student feedback about campus activities and helps give Shockers the best experience possible. By taking the survey, you will also be entered into a drawing for Shocker Dollar gift cards.

Want to know if you’re eligible to take the survey? Learn more about the NSSE on WSU’s website.

Shocker women’s basketball hosts Rice starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 in Charles Koch Arena in the annual Champions for Literacy game. The partnership with United Way of the Plains will help every child in the Shocker Neighborhood learn to read.

WSU students can claim their student ticket for no additional cost, thanks to the Student Government Association, at any one of eight ticket pick-up locations.

Heading to Charles Koch Arena for a Shocker men’s basketball game? Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has you covered with free shuttle services to and from all men’s home basketball games. Park conveniently and for free at Braeburn Square and let Fuzzy’s do the driving.

The next game is Sunday, Feb. 16 against Memphis, so come early, grab a dinner and enjoy a round of drinks with friends before hopping on the shuttle to kick off game day.

The College of Engineering at Wichita State University is hosting a public 5k run/walk that is open to students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members. The 5k will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 on the WSU campus. Registration proceeds from the 5k will go toward the College of Engineering Needs-Based Scholarship Fund.

“The Needs-Based Scholarship Fund provides financial support to students in need,” said Dr. Jacob Mendez, the assistant dean for student success within the college. “Last year, we were able to raise several thousand dollars to help such students, so we would like to raise even more this year.”