Bela Kiralyfalvi Headshot

The 50th anniversary of the Bela Kiralyfalvi National Student Playwriting Competition celebrates with the 2024 winner “The Angel of Death.” The competition began as the Wichita State University National Playwriting Contest in 1974 by Bela Kiralyfalvi. Before his retirement in 2003, Bela was a theatre professor and a director of the School of Performing Arts. In 2022, the School of Performing Arts renamed the competition to the Bela Kiralyfalvi National Student Playwriting Competition in his honor.

In 2024, Bela passed away at the age of 87. He will be missed but his passion for theatre and enthusiasm for teaching will live on through past students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and family.

“Teaching has always been exciting and interesting,” Bela Kiralyfalvi said following his retirement. “I’ve enjoyed learning and understanding things better through the process. I joke with students when they are getting ready to graduate after four or five years. They’ll say, ‘Oh I am going to be so glad to get out of here.’ I tell them, ‘You know, I’ve spent 45 years in college, and I still haven’t left.’ And it’s true you never cease to be a student. If you cease to be a student, you will not be a good teacher.”

The Office of Online and Adult Learning is hosting its sixth annual Adult Learner of the Year (ALOTY) awards ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m. April 3 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

Every year, the ALOTY awards recognize an outstanding adult student at Wichita State, a WSU partner and a community partner who support these adult learners on their journey towards a degree. To qualify for the ALOTY award, a student must be 24 years or older, have a 2.5 GPA and demonstrate leadership, Shocker Pride and perseverance towards obtaining a degree.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, March 7. To nominate someone, learn more about the ALOTYs and Online Learner of the Year (OLOTY) award, and see some of the past recipients, visit the ALOTY website. For any questions, call 316-978-8315 or email Pamela O’Neal at pamela.oneal@wichita.edu

Student Health Services is excited to announce its new myShockerhealth Newsletter. The monthly newsletter will highlight a variety of topics in health education and promotion of wellness.

Articles such as the difference between stomach flu and influenza and seasonal affective disorder are examples of what to expect. Opportunities to learn more about healthy services and events on-campus and in the community will provide something for everyone.

Students compete in the Shocker MINDSTORMS Challenge

The College of Engineering is hosting its 25th annual Shocker MINDSTORMS Challenge, a robotics competition for area students in third through eighth grade or ages eight through 14 years old. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 1. The competition portion will be in the Heskett Center, while the awards ceremonies will be in 208 Hubbard Hall.

“This exciting competition provides young students with a unique opportunity to apply mathematical, scientific, programming and engineering skills in a real-world setting,” said Dr. Perleker Tamtam, event coordinator. “The competition also promotes essential values such as teamwork, dedication and sportsmanship.”

The pediatric physical therapy team at Wichita State pose in front of the Wichita State sign.

Faculty members on the pediatric team in Wichita State’s Department of Physical Therapy have been awarded a prestigious grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation’s 2024 Priority Impact Quality of Life grants program. The $35,000 grant will provide access to assistive technology to help students in public schools with physical disabilities.  

The grant will provide the following: 

  • Assistive technology equipment  
  • Training and resources for physical therapists and school clinicians  
  • Funding for the development of training modules on how to use the equipment  
  • Resources to develop a website to guide therapists on how to obtain and efficiently utilize assistive technologies 

The Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at Wichita State will undergo national accreditation renewal by the Commission on Dental Accreditation May 20.

Part of the accreditation renewal requires the program to solicit third-party comments to communities of interest and the public including faculty, students, program administrators, dental-related organizations, patients and consumers. There is a deadline of 60 days prior to the site visit for receipt of third-party comments to the commission’s office.

Both signed and unsigned comments will be accepted, and names and signatures will be removed from comments before forwarding to the program. Comments must pertain only to the standards for the particular program or policies and procedures used in the commission’s accreditation process. A copy of the appropriate accreditation standard and the commission’s policy on third-party comments may be obtained by contacting the Commission by calling 312-440-4653 or by email. Individuals who are interested in submitting third party comments may contact the Commission office for submission guidance.

The deadline for receipt of comments is Friday, March 21.

Barton School alumni mentorship program participants in a grid

The Barton School of Business is excited to announce the launch of its new Mentor Pilot Program, which pairs students with distinguished alumni from the Barton School Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board. This initiative aims to foster valuable connections, stimulate personal and professional growth, build a strong sense of community and provide essential guidance to help shape the next generation of leaders.

“As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve come to realize how vital relationship-building is and how having someone in your corner can truly impact your mindset,” said Erin Cummings, president of the Barton School Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, serial entrepreneur, author and angel investor. “This program not only allows us to give back, but also gives us the opportunity to help shape the Barton School’s future by sharing our experiences and insights.”

The program will run through the spring 2025 semester, with mentors and mentees meeting monthly. Mentors will provide support in navigating academic and career challenges, offer feedback and accountability for the student’s goals and share valuable advice for both personal and professional development.

Are you passionate about archaeology and eager to delve into the rich history of indigenous North America? The Department of Anthropology is thrilled to announce the Wichita State University Archaeological Field School, taking place at the site of Etzanoa (Arkansas City, Kansas) June 2-27.

During this four-week immersive experience, students will have the unique opportunity to excavate at Etzanoa, an Ancestral Wichita archaeological site. Students enrolled in the archaeological field school at Etzanoa will learn essential archaeology skills, including excavation, artifact identification and curation. In addition to the traditional suite of archaeological skills, students also have the opportunity to enroll in an optional one credit-hour workshop in digital archaeology, which provides training in cutting-edge geospatial recording techniques utilizing GIS, 3D imaging and aerial photography.

Key details:

  • Dates: June 2-27
  • Location: Arkansas City, Kansas
  • Credits: four to five credit hours, offered at both undergraduate and graduate level
  • Review of applications begins Friday, Feb. 28

Organizers are committed to making the experience accessible to all aspiring archaeologists. All excavation equipment is provided. Students will reside at Cowley Community College in single-student rooms with private, attached bathroom. Tuition at Wichita State is one of the most affordable and students can receive in-state tuition along the I-35 corridor. Scholarships may be available; more details will be forthcoming. Only 20 students will be accepted.

To learn more about the field school, visit the field school website or contact Dr. Crystal Dozier at crystal.dozier@wichita.edu. Applications will be reviewed after Feb. 28.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Wichita State University Archaeological Field School and embarking on this enriching adventure together!

Faculty, it’s time to submit summer 2025 textbook information to the Shocker Store.

  • The book order due date for summer courses is March 15.
  • The latest Access Now requests will be accepted is April 30.

Verba Collect will send out customized emails to faculty and department coordinators with a unique link that logs you into a walk-through process without any need for username or password. Book orders will also be accepted via email (lisa.fitzsimmons@wichita.edu), in person (RSC Shocker Store) or campus mail (box 55).

Those planning on using open resource materials can indicate that on their order as well and to flag the course as such so the information can be made available to students. For any questions or concerns, contact the Shocker Store at shockerstore.books@wichita.edu or 316-978-7032.

Students in the middle of filming in front of the Wichita State mural in the RSC.

The Wichita State episode of “The College Tour,” an Amazon Prime original series, is now live on WSU’s website. You can watch the full hour-long episode or explore the 20 individual segments at wichita.edu/thecollegetour.

This episode offers a unique opportunity to experience campus through the eyes of Wichita State students, highlighting WSU’s student-centered, innovation-driven mindset. Share it with prospective students, families, alumni and anyone interested in life at WSU to give them a glimpse of what it means to be part of Shocker Nation.

The episode will premiere on Amazon Prime starting May 27.