Category: Events and Recreation

Visit the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes during Spring Break for some fun with friends and family. From March 17-21, enjoy a half hour bonus for all advance lane reservations, plus grab $1 off combo meals.

Lane reservations accepted up to five days in advance. Call 316-978-3479 to reserve. For more information, visit wichita.edu/ssgl.

Celebrate the participants of the youth photo competition, “Telling Your Stories,” with a special reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at the Ulrich Museum and a screening of “I Needed Paris” at 4:15 p.m. in 210 McKnight Art Center.

The documentary, produced and directed by Michael Cheers, follows students from the Gordon Parks Academy as they journey to Paris. The film explores their artistic growth as they walk in Gordon Parks’ footsteps — photographing fashion, portraits and the vibrant Parisian streets using twin-lens reflex cameras like Parks’ own.

Suggested donations will be accepted at the door and will benefit student projects at Gordon Parks Academy. The event is limited to 80 participants.

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the Kansas legislature relevant to Wichita State at 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 14 virtually via Microsoft Teams.

To find a link to the meeting, reach out to Lisa Pappas, executive assistant to the senior vice president for Administration, Finance and Operations, at lisa.pappas@wichita.edu.

The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students. Legislative updates are held every other Friday.

The campus community is invited to join the Barton School of Business for a special book launch event celebrating Gerald H. Graham, Ph.D., and his latest work, “High-Performance Leadership Practices.” The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 in Woolsey Hall’s Fidelity Bank Ballroom.

Dr. Graham’s book distills five decades of leadership expertise into actionable strategies designed to inspire excellence and achieve extraordinary results. Recognized for his extensive contributions to leadership development, Dr. Graham’s insights provide high-performing leaders with tools to adapt and succeed in dynamic environments. Upon completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Graham joined the faculty at WSU in 1967. He is currently the R.P. Clinton Distinguished Professor of Management at Wichita State and has received the Kansas Board of Regents’ “Excellence in Teaching Award”

A renowned writer, Dr. Graham has authored four textbooks, titled, “Management: The Individual, The Organization, The Process,” “Business: The Process of Enterprise,” “Understanding Human Relations” and “The World of Business.” His textbooks are used in over 235 schools nationwide.

The event will feature remarks by Dr. Graham at 6:15 p.m., followed by a book signing at 7 p.m. Light refreshments and snacks will be served.

This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, email jenn.lopez@wichita.edu.

SHPEtinas will be hosting a Masquerade Baile at 7 p.m. March 28 at the Marcus Welcome Center. The event is an opportunity for students to come together for an evening of music, dancing and socializing in an elegant setting. The baile will feature free food, a 360-degree photo booth and a mocktail bar, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere for attendees.

Guests are encouraged to dress in semi-formal attire, and masks will be provided to enhance the masquerade theme .El Sembradillo Collective will provide music, ensuring a dynamic and festive experience. SHPEtinas aims to bring students together through culturally enriching and engaging events like this one. The Masquerade Baile is open to all who want to celebrate in a welcoming and inclusive environment. For more details, attendees can reach out to SHPEtinas or follow its social media for updates.

Join the Bangladesh Student Association at 7 p.m. Friday, March 14 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room, in celebrating the Holy Month of Ramadan as it shares the unique cultural heritage and flavors of Bengali Muslims. Unlike any other part of the Muslim world, their traditions bring a special touch to the sacred time, filled with rich customs and delicious foods.

Come be a part of this meaningful gathering and immerse yourself in the warmth of community, spirituality and cultural exchange. Celebrate Ramadan together with the Shocker Nation.

Students with their Shocker IDs can get free access to the Gridiron sketch comedy show at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 at Roxy’s Downtown, 412 E. Douglas Ave.

The show consists of multiple satirical acts that look at current events. The theme this year is “Wickedly Funny,” which is a spinoff of the new movie “Wicked.”

Annually, the Gridiron show is created by local journalists. They write the scripts and perform on stage to raise funds for journalism scholarships distributed by the Society of Professional Journalists, Kansas Pro Chapter. 

For more information, visit the Gridiron website or contact info@wichitagridiron.com.

Students looking to practice for the 2025 Kansas MAA Collegiate Mathematics Competition March 29 can attend practices at 5 p.m. every Tuesday in 371 Jabara Hall. For questions, reach out to Dr. Robert Fraser at robert.fraser@wichita.edu.

The 2025 Kansas MAA Collegiate Mathematics Competition is in conjunction with the 2025 MAA Kansas Section Meeting at Emporia State University.

The Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) is proud to host the 2025 Consortium of University Public Service Organizations (CUPSO) National Conference April 23-25. The premier gathering will bring together university-based public service organizations from across the country to exchange ideas, share research and strengthen the foundation of public service.

This year’s conference theme, “Strong Foundations for Public Service,” will focus on key challenges and opportunities in the areas of operational excellence, innovative strategies and community impact. The event will feature national thought leaders, interactive workshops and networking opportunities designed to advance the work of CUPSO members in serving communities.

“We are honored to host this year’s CUPSO conference in Wichita,” said Misty Bruckner, director of PPMC. “As a hub of innovation and public service, our city is the perfect backdrop for these critical discussions that will shape the future of our communities.”

Key conference highlights include:

• Directors’ and staff roundtables on public service challenges and opportunities
• Plenary sessions featuring national leaders in public service and policy
• Breakout discussions on best practices in community impact and university engagement
• Poster showcase of innovative public service research
• Networking and cultural experiences in the heart of Wichita

The conference will also provide an opportunity to showcase Wichita’s commitment to public service, research and civic innovation, reinforcing the city’s role as a leader in university-driven community engagement.

Join Shockers Vote for a Deliberate Dialogue Dinner from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 31 in 266 Rhatigan Student Center, Pike Room.

The evening will be filled with good food, community dialogue, advocacy and individual strengths conversations. Shockers Vote hopes for this event to inspire participants and provide them with deeper connections to the WSU community.

Register for your spot on ShockerSync. Email csb.grad@wichita.edu with any questions you may have.