Category: News

Welcomefest takes place during the first four weeks of the fall and spring semesters and features dozens of activities. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include Winter Welcome, the Involvement Fair and much more.

Hosted by various student groups and campus departments, most events are free and give all students a chance to get acquainted with each other, learn their way around campus and find ways to connect with the community.

Submit your events to be featured as part of the Welcomefest schedule. The deadline to register your event is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17. Visit wichita.edu/Welcomefest for more information.

WSU faculty, staff, students and programs who serve elementary or middle and high school students are invited to help Wichita State Connect make the first Shocker Community Night: Move, Play, Connect a success on Feb. 20, 2026 at the Heskett Center.

Encourage the youth you serve, along with their families and guardians, to attend the free, fun evening of movement, recreation and connection for elementary or middle and high school students.

Campus unites are also encouraged to

• Table or share resources
• Host a fun activity (the Heskett Center team can help brainstorm ideas)
• Volunteer to support set-up, registration or on-site engagement

The event is intended to become an annual tradition, and your participation will help build a strong foundation for years to come.

Wichita State Connects thanks everyone for helping create a welcoming, energetic space for the youth and families connected to WSU.

If you have questions, reach out to Naquela Pack, director of K-12 connections and special projects, at naquela.pack@wichita.edu or John Lee, director of Campus Recreation, at john.lee@wichita.edu.

The Barton School of Business has announced the appointment of Nikki Beyrle as its new Hospitality Executive-in-Residence and chair of the Hospitality Advisory Board – marking a bold new chapter in redefining hospitality education in Kansas and beyond. Beyrle will lead the program’s transformation into a nationally and globally recognized model of excellence. A group of prominent industry executives joining the Advisory Board will be announced soon.

In her new role, Beyrle will provide visionary leadership, mentorship and industry expertise to drive enrollment growth, elevate student experience and forge powerful partnerships across the global hospitality landscape. She will play a transformative role in strengthening the hospitality industry’s talent pipeline by preparing the next generation of exceptional leaders. Under her guidance, the Barton School will cultivate career-ready professionals equipped with the skills, mindset and innovative spirit needed to redefine the future of hospitality worldwide.

If you are an adult learner graduating this December, stop by Adult Learning in 302 Shocker Success Center to pick up your graduation cord.

Pickup details:

• 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3
• 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4-Friday, Dec. 5

Notes:

• Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP) students will receive their cords at the pinning ceremony.
• Online program students can request to have their cords shipped by completing the online request form.

It’s time to begin the process for submission of funding requests through the Student Government Association for the Educational Opportunity Fund and Student Services Fee for FY 2027. Through the student services fee, these programs provide financial support to facilitate students’ academic pursuits (Educational Opportunity Fund) or the funding of programs/activities delivered directly to students (Student Services).

If you’ve submitted requests in the past, the budget/review officer should have received an email from the Budget Office to kick-off the submission process. If you have not submitted requests in the past but are considering submitting a new request, contact Michael Zepeda, Jason Post or Lyndsay Pletcher in the Budget Office at 316-978-3030 for additional information.

Requests are due no later than Feb. 6, 2026.

Order a WuShock bowling ball as a holiday gift and support the student athletes of the men’s bowling program. They are available in eight, 10, 12, 14, 15 and 16 pound options through the Shocker Store online or in-person at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes. All proceeds go towards the Shocker Men’s Bowling Scholarship Fund.

Undergraduate student researchers from all disciplines are encouraged to submit their application for the annual Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol poster symposium. Participants must:

• Be undergraduates during the 2025-26 academic year
• Have completed research under the guidance of a faculty mentor at a Kansas four-year public institution
• Follow the appropriate methodology of their academic discipline
• Have research of sufficient quality to be presented at a professional academic meeting
• Produce a professional academic poster
• Rehearse their presentations prior to the Capitol event

Applications are due at midnight Jan. 26, 2026.

Wichita State University’s College of Fine Arts is partnering with Movement Musick to offer programing at the Somewhere Works music facility in downtown Wichita. Wichita State University and Somewhere Works will collaborate to open opportunities for innovation, applied learning, new classes and community engagement.

“This pilot partnership allows for enhanced creative collisions,” said Justin Rorabaugh, director of WSU’s School of Digital Arts, as well as WSU’s Shocker Studios. “This opens the door to the sound design world. The collaboration between music and the digital arts can bring sound design to Wichita in a way that’s never happened before.”

Once again, it is time for Old Saint Nick to make his holiday deliveries. For those who are anxiously awaiting his arrival, you can arrange for Santa to send a letter reminding them to be patient and that he’s planning to visit on Christmas Eve.

Visit the WSU Post Office in Morrison Hall to make sure Santa gets the right letters to the right kids. If there’s a child who needs something a little different than what’s listed on the Post Office webpage, call 316-978-3550 or stop by during office hours from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for more information about other letters children can get from Santa.

Santa’s letters will be available at the WSU Post Office for two weeks beginning Monday, Dec. 1 through Friday, Dec. 12. Each letter has a fee of $2, cash or check only for North Pole postage.

Are you beginning your hunt for the perfect holiday gift? Check out the top gifts under $25 from the Shocker Store.