Category: Events and Recreation

During the August Brown Bag Lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 in 138 Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Brent Mai, dean, University Libraries, will share his extensive knowledge of Volga Germans. He serves as director of the Volga German Institute, and his father’s family is Volga German. The Volga Germans settled along the Volga River in southeastern European Russia during the 18th century, and many immigrated to Kansas beginning in 1874. He will speak on aspects of Volga German history and culture.

The Wichita State University Retiree Association Brown Bag Lunch Series features monthly presentations on topics of interest and gives you a chance to connect with current and former colleagues. All WSU employees and WSU retirees are welcome to attend. No registration is necessary. View the WSURA calendar for information about additional events.

The Barton School of Business will continue its 100th anniversary celebration with a full day of activities, experiences and community connections Wednesday, Aug. 26. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, advisory board members, donors, supporters, partners and members of the WSU and Wichita community are invited to celebrate a century of business education and innovation.

The celebration features wellness activities, food, interactive experiences, a community run and opportunities to explore the school’s history throughout the day. The Centennial Bash is open to the public, with activities offered at no cost.

Activities begin at 8 a.m. with Morning Wellness on the Woolsey Hall lawn, featuring outdoor yoga, mindfulness activities and complimentary breakfast offerings. Guests are welcome to attend a single activity or spend the entire day on campus. While many activities do not require registration, RSVPs are encouraged for Morning Wellness and the Community 5K/Fun Run and Walk to assist with planning.

To learn more about centennial event sponsorships, contact Corey Saleh, senior director of development for the Barton School of Business and interim AVP at the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement, at corey.saleh@wichita.edu.

Join librarians and FYS instructors for a lively discussion about “The Shape of Ideas: An Illustrated Exploration of Creativity” by Grant Snider during the WSU Common Read for the 2026-27 school year.

Explore themes from the book and ideas for classroom engagement. Discussion will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 6 in the Digital Scholar Commons in Ablah Library. Light refreshments served. Open to the entire WSU community. Registration is optional. All registered attendees will receive an email reminder.

Wichita State University’s Spero program will welcome its newest participants and reconnect members of its growing community during the 2026 Spero Kickoff from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 at Woolsey Hall.

The event will bring together current Spero students, alumni, employer partners, advisory board members, facilitators, guest speakers and supporters for an afternoon of connection and celebration. A buffet lunch will be provided.

Guests can RSVP. The registration form will request attendance confirmation, dietary restrictions or food allergies, and the guest’s name, company and title. For additional information, contact the Spero team at Spero@wichita.edu.

The APPE Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl is a collaborative experience for undergraduate students from all majors who want to develop insight into complex ethical issues, communicate clearly and concisely, and build teamwork skills.

Participants meet weekly to discuss the case set. Teams who compete are judged on the depth and clarity of their thought in a non-adversarial setting. Students are welcome to attend the meetings to discuss cases even if they don’t want to compete. The first meeting is at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18 in 017 Fiske Hall, Katherine Bradfield Student Lounge. This event is ideal for students who want to understand and connect with peers.

Faculty, staff and graduate students who have experience or interest in coaching are invited to participate, too. Contact Susan Castro at susan.castro@wichita.edu for more information.

There are still a couple team slots for the action-packed event at the third annual WSU Faculty/Staff Olympics, starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 30 at Ablah Library. There will be snacks and prizes.

Activities include badminton, darts, javelin and soccer.

Sign up your team of four, or sign up as an individual and you will be added to a team. Only 20 teams can be accommodated, so sign up sooner rather than later. The deadline to register your team is by 5 p.m. July 24.

All WSU employees, including student employees, are welcome to participate.

Reach out to Jamie Ford-Keiter at jamie.ford-keiter@wichita.edu or Kelsey Unruh at kelsey.unruh@wichita.edu for any questions.

Join your colleagues in celebrating Ellen Abbey’s nearly 47 years of service to Wichita State at a retirement celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room. The celebration is a come-and-go event, and light refreshments will be served, including cake and snacks. Brief remarks will be given starting at 3:15 p.m.

Abbey, director of Auxiliary Services, was instrumental in solidifying Shocker Printing and Promo Solutions as hallmark support services and partners for the entire campus community. Abbey served as president of the Classified Staff Senate during the 2003-04 term, and she was recently recognized at the 2025 Service Recognition celebration for 45 years of service to the university. She was recognized as a Bender of Twigs in 2005.

If you are unable to attend the celebration but still want to wish Abbey a happy retirement, you can drop off cards to her at the Post Office on campus in Morrison Hall.

Faculty and staff are invited to join a weekly mindful meditation group hosted by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Human Resources and Staff Senate. Through guided meditation, mindful breathing and moments of quiet reflection, participants can reduce stress, improve focus and cultivate a greater sense of balance and well-being. No prior experience is necessary, just a willingness to slow down and be present.

The group will meet at the Rhatigan Student Center patio from 10:30 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday, June 2-July 28. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mat or blanket.

For more information, email Ben Flowers at benjamin.flowers@wichita.edu.

WSU is hosting the fourth annual U.S. Delfin (Inter-Institutional Program for Strengthening of Research and Graduate Studies in the Pacific) Conference from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, July 23 on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center.

Join in welcoming and supporting undergraduate students from Latin American countries as they present the culmination of their seven-week summer research projects at either Bellevue University (Nebraska), the University of Texas at El Paso or Wichita State University. This summer, WSU faculty mentored 16 students from Mexico and Colombia.

• 10:15-11:15 a.m.: Poster presentations, 305/306 RSC, Beggs Ballroom
• 1-2:30 p.m.: Oral presentations session, 305/306 RSC, Beggs Ballroom
• 2:45-4:15 p.m.: Virtual oral presentations, 313 RSC, Prairie Room and 319 RSC, McKay Room

Everyone is invited to join professionals, students and community leaders for the Public Policy and Management Center’s 2026 Women in Public Service conference “Engaging & Empowering Others” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Rhatigan Student Center.

The conference features an opening keynote by Dr. Katie Ervin, along with engaging sessions on leadership, resilience, financial empowerment, servant leadership, coaching and community impact. Registration is $85 for members and $130 for non-members and includes a light breakfast and lunch. Register by Monday, July 27.

Whether you’re a student, public servant, nonprofit professional or aspiring leader, this conference offers practical tools, meaningful connections and inspiration to help you grow as a leader.