An illustration of 5 dogs holding a bone shaped sign that says PAWS & Relax a Stress Management program. Finals are Ruff. Snuggle therapy dogs instead! When: May 6 (Wed). From: 10 AM to 12 PM. Where: Ablah Library (1st Floor). Cost: FREE. Logos for Wichita State Student Success and WSU Libraries.

Success Teams and University Libraries invite you to PAWS & Relax with therapy dogs

Student Success and University Libraries invite you to the return of therapy dogs from Love on a Leash at PAWS & Relax from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 6 in Ablah Library. This drop-in event can trade your study guides for some puppy love.

Spending time with these friendly visitors is a proven way to lower stress and boost your mood before exams. Whether you have five minutes or 120, help celebrate two years of PAWS & Relax at WSU and find the calm you need to conquer your finals with confidence.

Promotional graphic for Wichita State’s Shocker Swag Swap. The design features a mustard yellow background with a large colorful graffiti-style “Swag” across the top, with “Shocker” above it and “Swap” below it. On the left, a yellow starburst says, “Trade in your old shocker merch for new merch!” On the right, the event details read: “Monday, May 4th, 3:00–6:00 pm, Rhatigan Student Center, 319.” Small text along the bottom says a donation is required to participate and that donations can be brought to the Office of Student Success in SSC 218 for credits anytime before the event.

Refresh your Shocker gear at the Shocker Swag Swap

Got old Shocker gear collecting dust? Bring it to the Shocker Swag Swap and trade it for merch you’ll actually want to wear.

Hosted by the Office of Student Success: First-Year Programs, the Shocker Swag Swap will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 4 in 319 Rhatigan Student Center, McKay Room. Students, faculty, staff and community members can donate unwanted Wichita State apparel and accessories, earn Swag Bucks and use them to shop the swap for different Shocker gear.

From T-shirts and sweatshirts to hats and more, this is a fun and sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe and show off your Shocker pride. Donations can also be dropped off early at the Office of Student Success in 218 Shocker Success Center to earn credits before the event.

A donation is required to participate in the swap, but anyone is welcome to donate without taking anything in return.

The Miro mural being unveiled after installation in 1978.

First ‘adopted’ artwork to be unveiled at the Ulrich

Join the unveiling of the first covered work in the Art Matters Adopt-a-Sculpture campaign. Participants will gather at 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 29 at the Ulrich Museum of Art in honor of donor Peri Widener, who has adopted Joan Miró’s “Personnages Oiseaux,” the artist’s largest U.S. work and only glass mosaic, famously located on the facade of the Ulrich.

Since the Art Matters Adopt-a-Sculpture campaign kicked off in late February, 32 of the available 57 selected works from the Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection have been “adopted” by generous donors to secure both the immediate vibrancy and long-term sustainability of the Ulrich.

Those who wish to support the exhibitions and educational programs now and in the future can learn more about the campaign and which works are still available.

Meet the winners of the Library Research Award

Meet the winners of the Library Research Award at a celebration event at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 in the Digital Scholar Commons of Ablah Library.

One undergraduate and one graduate student have written an essay showing exemplary scholarship and creativity through effective research strategies and demonstrated use of resources, including collections, services, equipment, staff or facilities.

Refreshments provided. Learn more about this annual financial opportunity on the Library Research Award guide.

Red bowling balls on a top rack with blue bowling balls on the lower rack

Join an evening of bowling, billiards, pizza and fun

Join the Fairmount College Student Advisory Council and the Office of Student Success for some “Fun Before Finals!” from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes in the lower level of the Rhatigan Student Center and enjoy free pizza, bowling, billiards, drinks and more.

Museum Exhibition class invites you to the opening of ‘Service Beyond Barriers: Bravery and Sacrifice in the Face of Adversity’

Students from the Museum Exhibition class, under the direction of Holmes Museum of Anthropology director and instructor, Rachelle Meinecke, have created a special exhibit this semester. The exhibit is a collaboration between the Kansas African American Museum, the Mid-America All Indian Museum and the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum.

It explores the powerful and often overlooked stories of minority men and women who have served in the military. The exhibit will be temporarily displayed in the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum’s second floor Special Exhibits Gallery, 204 S. Main St.

Be one of the first to view this special exhibit and support the students’ hard work, during its reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 24. The reception is free and open to the public. Light refreshments and drinks will be available.

President's Distinguished Service Awards Friday, May 8, 2026 in Fidelity Bank Ballroom, 141 Woolsey Hall

Honorees for President’s Distinguished Service Awards to be recognized May 8

The President’s Distinguished Service Awards will recognize faculty and staff for exemplary, dedicated and caring service to the Wichita State community on Friday, May 8.

The reception to meet and greet the honorees is at 9 a.m. The recognition ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom.

Honorees were selected by their peers from the university’s Staff Senate and Faculty Senate.

The 2026 President’s Distinguished Award honorees are:

Faculty Senate:

  • Robin Henry, Department of History, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Alexander Ziegler, Department of Marketing, W. Frank Barton School of Business

University Staff Senate:

  • Mandy Harmon, Undergraduate Admissions, Strategic Enrollment Management
  • Scott Jensen, Housing and Residence Life, Student Affairs
  • Jacob Mendez, Dean’s Office, College of Engineering
  • Naquela Pack, Wichita State Connect, PreK-12 Engagement

University Staff Senate – Wayne Carlisle Award:

  • Debra Franklin, Strategic Initiatives, Industry and Defense Programs
Promotional keynote flyer with a black background and gold accents. On the left, large text reads “URCAF + GRASP 2026 Keynote Speaker” and the talk title in quotes: “From Exploration to Focus: Making Sense of Your Career Journey.” Below, smaller text reads “April 24, 1:15 PM” and “Woolsey Hall Auditorium.” On the right is a vertical, rounded-rectangle portrait of a professionally dressed adult wearing a blue suit jacket, white shirt, and gold tie, photographed against a neutral studio backdrop. A yellow label overlapping the portrait contains the text “Carl Bowden, MBA,” with smaller text underneath reading “Consultant, Allen, Gibbs & Houlik.” Subtle geometric gold line designs appear in the upper right corner.

Join this year’s URCAF+GRASP Conference for keynote speaker Carl Bowden

At this year’s joint URCAF+GRASP Conference is keynote speaker Carl Bowden, MBA, who will be speaking from 1:15 to 2 p.m. Friday, April 24 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium. Carl is a consultant at Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, one of the largest Certified Public Accountant (CPA) advisory firms in Kansas, and will discuss uncertainty and career building. Carl Bowden was recently featured on President Rick Muma’s “Forward Together” podcast.

His presentation, “From Exploration to Focus: Making Sense of Your Career Journey,” explores how career paths rarely unfold exactly as planned — and why that’s a good thing. Drawing from his experiences across diverse roles, global travel and graduate school at the Barton School of Business, Carl reflects on how experimentation, observation and meaningful relationships can bring clarity over time.

The URCAF+GRASP oral presentations will begin at 8 a.m. and poster presentations will begin at 11 a.m.

Through his journey into consulting at AGH, Carl illustrates how treating experiences like data points can reveal patterns, refine purpose and guide better decisions. This talk challenges graduate students to embrace uncertainty, stay curious and take intentional steps toward building a career that is both impactful and authentic.

For any questions, email undergraduateresearch@wichita.edu or gs3@wichita.edu.

WSU AAUP chapter update on building power at Wichita State

All faculty and teaching staff are invited to an American Association of University Professors (AAUP) chapter meeting on building faculty and teaching staff power and for other updates on campus issues. The meeting will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, April 24 in 209 Hubbard Hall.

Bring a friend or two for updates on events around the campus and state. For questions or a password to the Zoom remote link, contact AAUP chapter secretary George Dehner via email at george.dehner@wichita.edu.

Shocker New Venture Competition at the Barton School of Business, Wichita State University

Shocker New Venture Competition invites community to experience Wichita’s next wave of innovation

The Center for Entrepreneurship invites students, faculty, business leaders and community members to attend the 2026 Shocker New Venture Competition (SNVC) — a high-energy showcase of emerging startups and student innovation.

Taking place on Friday, May 1 in Woolsey Hall, this annual competition highlights the most promising new ventures from students across Kansas as they compete for funding to bring their ideas to life.