Map of areas affected by Neff Hall construction fencing. Geology Building’s accessible route is through the elevator at Ground Level. Pedestrians looking to exit the quad to the south may cut through the Geology Building and exit from the elevator at ground level. Additionally, Neff Hall’s accessible route is out through the building’s north entrance. Lastly, Ablah Library’s south emergency exit will have a temporary accessible route.

Crews will adjust construction fence Thursday, Aug. 20 for utility work associated with the demolition of Neff Hall. The associated map shows where walk paths will be impeded between the Engineering Building, Geology Building, Neff Hall, Ablah Library and Shocker Success Center.

Geology Building’s accessible route is through the elevator at ground level. Pedestrians looking to exit the quad to the south may cut through the Geology Building and exit from the elevator at ground level.

Additionally, Neff Hall’s accessible route is out through the building’s north entrance.

Lastly, Ablah Library’s south emergency exit will have a temporary emergency exit that is not handicap accessible.

For any questions, contact Facilities Planning at 316‑978‑3444.

The Heskett Center pool will be temporarily closed for approximately four weeks to allow for general maintenance and a comprehensive assessment of potential repair needs.

Two photos in the collage. The top photo shows all students in the program, along with administration, faculty, and staff. The bottom photo is of our mentors. They are all wearing Shocker Promise Academy logo shirts.

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships proudly hosted its fifth year of Shocker Promise Academy from Aug. 3-7, welcoming 69 first‑year scholars and 16 mentors – the largest cohort to date.

Throughout the week, scholars explored essential campus resources, built connections, strengthened financial literacy skills and completed a course with Dr. Bobby Berry, which focused on the core habits and mindsets that support college success.

The office extends a heartfelt appreciation to all departments who contributed to this year’s academy. A special thanks to Resource 2 Success, whose support included providing laptops and hot spots, which helped set its scholars up for a strong start.

When asked about her experience at the end of the week, student Natalia Malcolm said, “I had a great time, I learned a lot of things and it’s such a good opportunity to meet a lot of people.” This program is also an opportunity for previous Shocker Promise Scholars to become mentors for the new class coming in. Luvley Williams said, “I recommend being a mentor because you’re able to be a part of something bigger than yourself, be challenged, and grow alongside your peers.”

As the semester begins, scholars will continue engaging with their mentors, their cohort and the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship throughout their first year to ensure they have consistent support and connection as they navigate college life.

Harry Louis Najim

A Wichita attorney’s lifelong commitment to education, service and community will live on through a new generation of Wichita State University students. Harvey Najim, a 1964 Wichita State graduate and nationally recognized business leader and philanthropist, has established two scholarships in memory of his brother, Harry Louis Najim. At the heart of the gift is the Harry Najim Business Scholarship, which will provide significant support to a Kansas student pursuing a degree through Wichita State’s Barton School of Business.

The Harry Najim Business Scholarship will provide $40,000 to an incoming Kansas freshman enrolled full time in the Barton School. Selection will consider academic achievement, community service and financial need. Recipients also must participate in the annual Allen, Gibbs & Houlik L.C. Scholarship Competition.

Prospective students interested in scholarship opportunities at the Barton School can learn more about academic programs, student resources and the admissions process at wichita.edu/barton. The application deadline for the 2026 AGH Scholarship competition is Nov. 8, 2026, and more information is available at wichita.edu/agh.

Harry Louis Najim

A Wichita attorney’s lifelong commitment to education, service and community will live on through a new generation of Wichita State University students. Harvey Najim, a 1964 Wichita State graduate and nationally recognized business leader and philanthropist, has established two scholarships in memory of his brother, Harry Louis Najim. At the heart of the gift is the Harry Najim Business Scholarship, which will provide significant support to a Kansas student pursuing a degree through Wichita State’s Barton School of Business.

“My brother believed deeply in education and in the responsibility each of us has to make a difference in the lives of others,” Harvey Najim said. “This scholarship will carry Harry’s name forward by helping a talented Kansas student pursue their ambitions, build a meaningful career and create opportunities for others.”

The Harry Najim Business Scholarship will provide $40,000 to an incoming Kansas freshman enrolled full time in the Barton School. Selection will consider academic achievement, community service and financial need. Recipients also must participate in the annual Allen, Gibbs & Houlik L.C. Scholarship Competition.

A still from the documentary showing various documents, books, tapes and photos.

The 26-story building formerly known as the Holiday Inn in downtown Wichita intrigued Derek Landwehr during visits to the Wichita RiverFest as a youngster.

His mother provided brief details about what was the tallest building in Kansas until 1987 and is now known as 250 Douglas Place as part of the Garvey Center.

“I pointed to that building, because it’s a striking building,” he said. “’Are there any stories around there? My mom said, ‘There was a shooting there once.’ That was all I could get.’”

Decades later, Landwehr learned much more about that Aug. 11, 1976, sniper attack as he worked as director of photography for the documentary “Long Echo.” The film will debut at 7 p.m. Aug. 11 on KPTS to mark the 50th anniversary.

Cara Gerhardt

Wichita State graduate student Cara Gerhardt has been named as the inaugural recipient of the Janice M. Riordan Endowed Doctoral Nursing Fellowship by the Ascension Via Christi-Wichita State University School of Nursing and WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement.  

This prestigious award was established to honor the legacy of Dr. Janice M. Riordan, a distinguished educator, researcher and advocate whose contributions transformed the field of breastfeeding and human lactation.  

Barton School Welcomes Bill Poston as Entrepreneur-in-Residence During Centennial Year

The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has named Bill Poston, entrepreneur, business advisor, investor, educator and philanthropist, as Entrepreneur-in-Residence as part of its centennial celebration. His appointment reflects the Barton School’s commitment to connecting students with accomplished business leaders whose careers demonstrate entrepreneurship, principled leadership and innovation.

Throughout his residency, Poston will engage with students, faculty, alumni and business leaders through classroom discussions, mentoring opportunities, executive meetings and public events focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, organizational culture and business growth.

Screenshots of the old myWSU look and the new myWSU on a Shocker yellow background and yellow wheat kernels with an arrow pointing from one to the other

Faculty, staff and students now have access to the updated myWSU portal. The modernized portal gives users the power to customize their Home tabs, offering faster access to everyday tools, information and services.

You can access the new portal by going to the current myWSU portal and finding the “Try the new myWSU” widget. It will then give you a brief tutorial of the new system and how to navigate and customize your Home tab.

Can’t find what you’re looking for in the new portal? Use the brand-new search functionality to find your most-used tools and bookmark them to your Home tab. If you are unable to find a previous functionality or have other feedback, you can submit it in the “Welcome to myWSU” card in the new myWSU by clicking “Provide feedback on the new myWSU.”

myWSU will switch over to the new system in October during Fall Break, with the old portal still available to use until the spring semester, giving faculty, staff and students ample time to familiarize themselves with the new portal and offer feedback.

"The Academic Minute" and photos of each guest on a yellow background with white wheat kernels and WSU's logo

Five Wichita State faculty and staff members will be featured in a weeklong takeover of “The Academic Minute,” a nationally syndicated public radio program that highlights research and scholarship from universities across the country. 

The series will air Aug. 3-7 and showcase WSU experts whose work spans public health, artificial intelligence in education, advanced manufacturing for space exploration and particle physics. 

Wichita State’s “The Academic Minute” takeover schedule

  • Monday, Aug. 3: Dr. Nikki Keene Woods, professor and chair of public health sciences in the College of Health Professions
  • Tuesday, Aug. 4: Dr. Heidi VanRavenhorst-Bell, associate professor of public health sciences in CHP
  • Wednesday, Aug. 5: Dr. JaeHwan Byun, associate professor in the College of Education
  • Thursday, Aug. 6: Dr. Waruna Seneviratne, director and senior research scientist, National Institute for Aviation Research’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems
  • Friday, Aug. 7: Dr. Nickolas Solomey, professor of physics in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences