Category: Events and Recreation

The Japanese Culture Association, with sponsorship from the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literature, will be holding its annual Japan Festival beginning 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 24 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room.

The event will begin at 12:30 p.m. with martial arts performances, and booths will open at 1 p.m. and run until 3:30 p.m. Visitors can learn about a variety of Japanese traditional arts including ikebana, calligraphy, ink painting and origami. Games and a bazaar will also be available, and visitors can purchase traditional Japanese foods as well.

Join Path to Purpose, an interactive session designed to help undecided students explore potential majors and next steps, from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 21 in 266 Rhatigan Student Center, Pike Room.

Participants can explore three engaging station areas focused on community, coursework and career. Gain insight into how your interests, values and strengths connect to different academic paths. This program is a great opportunity to ask questions, reflect on your goals and learn about resources that can support your decision-making process.

Whether you are feeling unsure about your major or just want to explore your options, this session will provide helpful guidance and a supportive space to start figuring out what comes next.

Shocker rowing will host the annual Plains Regional Regatta from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at this year’s launch site, South Riverside Park (531 N. Nims Ave.).

Collegiate teams from across the plains region will compete including CSU, KSU, KU, UNL, OSU, WSU, WashU and St. Thomas, providing athletes the chance to race on the water close to home.

Races will be held along the river between Murdock Bridge and 11th Street. Support Shocker rowing, bring a chair and enjoy watching the action from the riverfront.

Kick off summer the right way at our End of the Year Block Party from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23 at the north patio of the Rhatigan Student Center. Enjoy Just-A-Sip dirty soda and pretzel bites while you hang out with music, games and crafts. Be one of the first 100 students to score a free pair of sunglasses while supplies last.

End of the Year Block Party is hosted by Student Engagement & Belonging. For more information about this event or other SE&B programs, call 316-978-3022 or email SEB@wichita.edu.

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the legislature relevant to Wichita State. The last meeting for the legislative session is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 17 in 101 Morrison Hall. The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students.

Wichita State is proud to host the American Conference Academic Consortium’s 2026 Academic Symposium April 16-18. The consortium funds grants for research in the area of student-athlete well-being and brings together student-athletes, scholars and athletics staff from member institutions to learn about important research implications.

The symposium features interactive research presentations, student-athlete panels and a keynote by coach, educator and community builder Marshall Cho.

Space limitations preclude open attendance by the full campus community, but Friday’s and Saturday’s sessions will be livestreamed YouTube:

• Friday, April 17 livestream
• Saturday, April 18 livestream

The College of Engineering invites all to save the date for its annual Engineering Open House from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 8 in the John Bardo Center.

Between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., senior engineering and computing students will present prototype solutions throughout the building. From the end of student presentations until 7 p.m., there will be refreshments served, as well as an awards ceremony in the building lobby.

Wichita State’s Suspenders4Hope is a sponsor of the 2026 NAMIWalks, an annual event designed to raise funds and awareness for NAMI’s programs and services and reduce stigma related to mental health.

This year’s walk will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at the Sunflower Shelter at Sedgwick County Park.

You can support this effort by going to the NAMIWalks website, going to the Sedgwick County event link and either donating or registering to join the WSU Suspenders4Hope team.

Registration is free, but all walkers need to register. Fundraising is encouraged but not required as you can show your support by your presence alone. Any walker who raises or donates $100 or more will receive a NAMIWalks T-shirt. To register or learn more about the event, go to namiwalks.org/wichita.

As the 68th session of the Student Government Association comes to a close, SGA wants to thank the student body for allowing us to serve you this academic school year. Join us from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, April 20 at the Rhatigan Student Center’s east courtyard to relax over your lunch break. There will also be Noble House, Flying Stove, Just-a-Sip, Co ChaCha Matcha and more.

Join the medical laboratory sciences program for its second annual MLS 5K at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 17 at Sedgwick County Park. Grab a friend or your pet and head out to enjoy some sunshine. Whether you want to walk or run, all are welcome!