Category: Events and Recreation

Join Wichita State for Suspenders4Hope Day, a community-wide effort to promote mental wellness, prevent suicide and remind everyone that support is always available:

• Stop by the welcome tables from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 20-21 in the Rhatigan Student Center to connect with the Student Wellness Center, grab a free T-shirt and write a note of encouragement for a Hope Kit recipient.
• Attend the free Mental Wellness & Preventing Suicide Training from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 in 264 RSC, Spencer Room. Learn practical tools to support yourself and others. Registration is required (faculty and staff can sign up through myTraining on myWSU).
• End the day at the Blackout Mental Health Stigma Basketball Game as Shocker men’s basketball takes on East Carolina at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21 in Charles Koch Arena. Wear black and receive a free Suspenders4Hope bracelet for the first 3,000 attendees.

Start the semester off warm and cozy by enjoying hot cocoa with the colleges. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 and Wednesday, Jan. 21, the academic colleges at WSU will serve Shockers hot cocoa to ring in the new semester.

Each college will serve hot cocoa in their respective buildings:

• College of Applied Studies: Hubbard Hall
• Barton School of Business: Woolsey Hall
• College of Engineering: John Bardo Center
• Fairmount College/Cohen Honors College: Lindquist Hall
• College of Fine Arts: Duerksen Fine Arts Center in the Miller Concert Hall
• College of Health Professions: Ahlberg Hall
• Graduate School: Jardine Hall

For questions, contact the Division of Student Affairs at 316-978-3021.

Meet the Student Government Association and kick off the spring semester with the SGA Welcome Bash from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 at the east atrium of the Rhatigan Student Center. This indoor welcome event features free pizza and sodas, a photo booth and the opportunity to meet SGA executive officers, senators and justices while learning more about SGA initiatives, upcoming events and ways to get involved on campus.

Whether you’re new to Wichita State or looking to learn more about student leadership, this event offers a fun, welcoming and high-visibility way to start the semester and connect with your student representatives.

Join the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing for the ninth annual Strategic Communications marketing and communications seminar for faculty and staff from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 29. And if your team is looking to order promo items for your office, visit the Vendor Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The opening session, breakout sessions and Vendor Fair will all be held on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. Gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing and communication efforts. Attendees may choose to attend two of five sessions.

Want to present at the 2026 Kansas Gender & Sexuality Conference? The priority deadline for submitting your brief/abstract proposal, consisting of a 200-300 word abstract summarizing your scholarly work, is Feb. 4. Everyone is welcome to submit a presentation.

The purpose of the annual free interdisciplinary conference is to showcase the gender- and sexuality-related work (research, workshop/training, creative works) conducted by students, faculty, staff and community partners from Kansas communities and universities, and to provide opportunities to network across departments and campus/community silos.

In addition to traditional paper sessions and workshops, this year, there’s the opportunity to organize panel discussions too.

To learn more or submit your proposal abstract, go to: wichita.edu/genderconference.

All WSU faculty and staff are invited to attend the Corbin Connect Building Bridges workshop series: Spanish language, culture and creating welcoming spaces in an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Dates:

• Feb. 6: Session one
• Feb. 13: Session two
• Feb. 20: Session three
• Feb. 27: Session four

Time: 1-2:30 p.m.

Location: 265 Rhatigan Student Center, Lucas Room

Participants will:

• Engage in interactive experiences to gain a foundational understanding of Spanish language and culture
• Sample foods from Latin America
• Earn a professional development certificate upon completing all four sessions (the certificate does not bear academic credit and does not qualify for inclusion on an academic transcript)

The series is presented by Credit Union of America, College of Applied Studies, WSU Corbin Connect, Office of Hispanic Serving Initiatives, and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures in Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Warm up with cozy drinks and tasty snacks to celebrate a fresh start to the semester and the new year at Winter Welcome 2026 on Thursday, Jan. 22.

Challenge your friends to a round of bumper cars, show off your skills at curling or snap an unforgettable photo inside the giant inflatable snow globe. Don’t miss this chance to laugh, play and make memories with colleagues and friends.

The ninth annual Strategic Communications marketing and communications seminar for faculty and staff will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center.

Attendees may choose to attend up to two sessions. Gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing and communication efforts. Stay tuned for more information on the sessions and how to RSVP in January.

Campus Recreation is excited to invite you and your furry friends to Puppy Paddle from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Heskett Center. This is your pup’s last chance to swim before the holiday break — and a perfect way to share a fun, active morning together.

They are also welcoming the Wichita Animal Action League (WAAL), who will be on-site with adorable, adoptable pups searching for their forever homes. Come meet them and help spread the word. This event is completely free, but participants are encouraged to donate to support WAAL’s vital mission in the community.

After more than 14 years of dedicated service, Jeanne Patton will be retiring on Dec. 5.

Jeanne began her journey with Wichita State in July 2011 as an administrative assistant in the Provost Office, where her attention to detail and commitment quickly earned her a promotion to budget analyst. In 2018, she transitioned to Information Technology Systems, taking on the role of director of ITS business and finance operations. Her leadership and financial insight have played a vital role in strengthening ITS operations and advancing key initiatives.

Jeanne is widely admired for her kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness. She never hesitates to assist anyone who reaches out to her, consistently sharing her deep knowledge of the university’s business processes with new business managers and helping them feel supported and confident in their roles. Her willingness to mentor, collaborate and uplift others has made her a cherished coworker and friend.

Jeanne’s contributions have left a lasting impact, and colleagues throughout Wichita State will deeply miss her.

Join a come-and-go celebration and farewell event for Jeanne from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room. Share your memories, express your appreciation and wish Jeanne well in her next chapter.