Category: Featured Stories

Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) has been granted a patent for a newly developed composite inspection robot.

The machine, dubbed VISION, is an autonomous and semi-autonomous cell for inspecting composite parts, and verifying and facilitating part repairs. VISION, the main industrial robot carrying out the inspections, automatically attaches to a set of interchangeable inspection and repair end effectors to carry out its processes.

For other features, the cell can be equipped with fixtures for supporting rotorcraft and rotating blades, and over time, a software applicant can use past inspection data to train the machine to recognize damage to composite parts based on inspection images.

Wichita State’s commitment to fostering innovation is transforming high-potential student research into real-world impact. A compelling example is Shocker Composites, a startup founded by Vamsidhar (Vamsi) Patlolla, a former Ph.D. student at Wichita State. The company is pioneering recycling of composites and manufacturing parts with 100% sustainable materials that are lasting longer in the field thanks to innovation born in the lab and powered by university support.

Suspenders4Hope, a program developed at Wichita State University, is highlighting different departments and individuals on campus who are advocates for mental health in hopes that their stories will inspire others to continue supporting one another in the community.

The Shocker Store is being recognized as a mental health advocate for its support of the Suspenders4Hope program by offering the Suspenders4Hope T-shirts for sale, with proceeds directly benefiting HOPE Services, and by serving as a hub for resources for Shockers on campus.

More than 2,400 Shockers were eligible for graduation in spring 2025. As they graduate from Wichita State University, they will share the story of Shocker Nation through their work.

Learn more about some of the graduates and their time at Wichita State and what they are looking forward to in their futures.

A second-floor study room in Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall is where Ridge Estes goes when he is serious about concentration. Working there eliminates the distractions of studying at home.

“Put yourself in a spot where you’re forced to lock in and use that time wisely,” he said. “My favorite study spot is one of the private rooms in Woolsey Hall. In a good three or four hour session, I can knock out quite a bit.”

Estes, from Bucklin, used his study time and his athletic time wisely during his Wichita State career. He majored in exercise science with minors in health science and entrepreneurship and graduated earlier this month with a 3.473 grade-point average.

High schoolers don’t often get to see what real science is being done every day by researchers. Worst case scenario is that they are dealing with abstract numbers that don’t have any real-world parallels.

But with the help of Dr. Thomas Luhring, assistant professor of biological sciences at Wichita State, students will not only get to work with active data acquired by a real scientist, but the data will also have implications in their neighborhoods.

The opportunity comes through Galactic Polymath — a platform developed by Dr. Matt Wilkins in 2021 to help bridge the gap between scientists with classrooms — and Luhring’s NSF CAREER grant. The platform is now home to a module, free for all teachers to use in their curriculum, on data literacy, which allows students to explore and analyze real datasets to practice their skills.

Dr. Michael Birzer built his first career in law enforcement, rising through the ranks of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department while quietly discovering a deeper passion for research and education. That unexpected interest helped him launch a second career shaped by a relentless drive to understand and improve the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

“I realized I loved college, and when I started getting involved in research, everything just clicked,” said Birzer, a professor in Wichita State’s Cohen Honors College and the School of Criminal Justice.

That realization led him to pursue a doctoral degree in Oklahoma while working full-time in law enforcement, commuting several times a week to complete his studies. Eventually, Birzer made the leap into higher education, joining Wichita State in 2004.

As we head into the summer season, you’ll notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State’s 330 acres and beyond.

Corbin Education Center

The phased move back into Corbin Education Center has begun.

Esports, College of Applied Studies Advising, faculty and staff are back in the building.

Classrooms will remain closed throughout the summer and the building is anticipated to be fully occupied in the fall. The building has been under repair following a chilled water line break in the basement mechanical room in 2024.

University Stadium Phase 1A/1B

Construction is wrapping up on Phase 1A on the east side of University Stadium (formerly Cessna Stadium) in time for Wichita State to host the 2025 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championship May 30-31.

This first phase of construction includes bleacher seating, a pavilion building with ticketing, restrooms and concessions as well as a plaza and parking lot between the stadium and Devlin Hall.

Phase 1B will begin in June and will consist of widening the field to hold a regulation-sized artificial turf soccer field and installing a nine-lane track.

Wilkins Stadium

Construction is almost complete on the indoor softball practice facility adjacent to Wilkins Stadium. Inside the building is a netted softball infield that is divisible into batting and pitching practice areas.

McKnight Art Center

Construction is underway for ventilation upgrades on the second floor of McKnight North. Work is scheduled to finish by the fall of 2025.

Brennan I, II and III demolitions

Demolition of the three buildings is planned for summer 2025. TRIO/Upward Bound staff are in the process of moving to their new home in Grace Wilkie Hall/Grace Wilkie Annex.

Parking lot/sidewalk/Parking Garage maintenance

Maintenance and repairs are planned for multiple parking lots/sidewalks throughout campus over the summer as well as scheduled maintenance for the parking garage south of the RSC. Specific closure dates will be posted in WSU Today.

Ablah Library

Repairs are underway on the basement level to replace flooring damaged by the flooding in the spring. Look for announcements from the library on the status of the project.

Grace Wilkie Hall/Grace Wilkie Annex roof replacement

A roof replacement project is scheduled for the summer of 2025. Fencing will be installed around the perimeter of the building as work progresses.

RSC bowling remodel

Construction is underway in the basement of the RSC to create offices and a team room for the women’s bowling team. The project is anticipated to be complete by the end of the summer.

Shocker Studios expansion

Construction is underway for an expansion for Shocker Studios located at WSU South on Harry Street. The project will create four new classrooms and additional office space for the growing SODA program. The project will be complete in time for fall classes.

NIAR Hub for Advanced Manufacturing and Research

Construction on the NIAR HAMR building continues to progress. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2025.

The 170,000-square-foot building is partly funded by an EDA grant and will house advanced manufacturing research labs and associated offices.

The building is located on Innovation Boulevard between the Partnership Building 1 and The Suites. The first floor is primarily labs with offices on the second floor.

Partnership Building 3B

P3B, located between Partnership Building 3 and The Smart Factory by Deloitte @Wichita, is under construction. It will house the Forensic Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

One coach is synonymous with building Wichita State University baseball into a power. This spring, his name is given proper places of honor in the stadium he helped turn from dream into one of the sport’s showplaces.

Earlier this month, “Gene Stephenson Park” was added to Eck Stadium, home of Tyler Field, at a ceremony and unveiling. On Friday, May 16, his jersey No. 10 will be recognized on the stadium’s Wall of Honor in left field before the 6 p.m. game vs. Memphis.

“Build it, he did,” WSU athletic director Kevin Saal said at the unveiling ceremony for the sign on the Eck Stadium facade. “He built a lot of something. He built decades of something from nothing.”

Creating two hours of a dramatic production on stage at Wichita State’s Wilner Auditorium can take long hours and weeks of work.

WSU students charged with that behind-the-scenes labor now earn more money for their time and expertise, thanks to State of Kansas Applied Learning Funds. Twenty-three students are paid to work in more types of career-focused jobs, such as social media, costumes, fund-raising, lighting and scenes in the School of Performing Arts — all while still earning their degree.

The paid applied learning allows the School of Performing Arts to boost its student workforce and increase their pay. Paid positions in this field, said Cheyla Clawson, director, School of Performing Arts said, are usually at a low pay rate and are hard to find outside the university.