Category: News

If you missed your chance to grab your WuShock glass from this year’s Holiday Party or need an extra for display or someone else, the Office of the President has extras available to pick up. Stop by the Office of the President on the second floor of Morrison Hall during normal business hours to pick one up while supplies last.

More than 1,200 students are eligible to participate in Wichita State University’s 128th fall commencement ceremonies Sunday, Dec. 14 in Charles Koch Arena. Degrees will be conferred at the following ceremonies:

• 2 p.m.: All graduate degree programs
• 5 p.m.: All undergraduate degree programs

Graduates will walk across the stage and be individually recognized. Doctoral candidates will be hooded at the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Guest speaker: Joyce DiDonato 

Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, a 1992 Shocker graduate, will be the virtual guest speaker during the 5 p.m. undergraduate ceremony, where she will also receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.  

The Toast:

The Toast is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. Dec. 12 in Beggs Ballroom on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Learn more about The Toast.

Significant changes to federal student aid eligibility and Direct Loan programs will take effect beginning July 1, 2026. The Wichita State Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is closely monitoring these updates and will continue to provide guidance as more information becomes available.

Stay up to date regarding the changes.

Key highlights:

• Parent PLUS Loans (new borrowers): Annual cap $20,000; lifetime cap $65,000
• Graduate PLUS Loans: No longer available to new borrowers starting July 2026
• Direct Loans: Prorated for less than full‑time enrollment
• Pell Grant eligibility:
  • Students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) over or equal to twice the maximum Pell Grant amount will no longer qualify.
  • Pell Grants will be reduced if scholarships or grants fully cover Cost of Attendance (COA).
• Professional students (At WSU, only students enrolled in clinical psychology Ph.D. program are considered professional level): Annual limit $50,000; lifetime max $200,000
• Legacy borrowers: Current Parent PLUS and Graduate PLUS borrowers may continue for up to three academic years or until program completion

Please note: All information is contingent and subject to change. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will update this resource as federal guidance becomes available. For full details, visit One Big Beautiful Bill Act Updates | Federal Student Aid

Looking to fill up the stocking of your favorite Shocker? Check out some stocking stuffer ideas from the Shocker Store online or in store.

Check out the new issue of the myShockerhealth newsletter. Monthly, the Student Health newsletter provides relevant health information and wellness tips for WSU students and staff. Opportunities to engage in healthy activities, events and volunteer service are also highlighted.

• Study tips
• Itchy skin prevention
• Dry eye causes
• Sinus infections and no antibiotics
• Volunteering opportunities
• Employee corner:
  • Graduation help
  • Candlelight concert
  • GoShockers athletics

You can find all previous issues on the Student Health website.

Two important deadlines for the 2026-27 catalogs are quickly approaching. If you or your committee is an approver in the CAT and CIM workflows, plan ahead so that any catalog and curriculum updates can meet the following deadlines:

• Dec. 19 – All catalog (CAT) pages need to be reviewed and approved
• Feb. 15, 2026 – All course and program (CIM) proposals need to reach the end of workflow to appear in the 2026-27 catalog

Note that any program edits that do not meet the catalog deadline will have their effective term moved to fall 2027 so that the published catalog can remain as accurate as possible.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the catalog editor, Ginny Vincent, at ginny.vincent@wichita.edu.

Wichita State’s cricket team capped a milestone year by winning both the 35-over and T20 titles in the Two-State Cricket League — a rare back-to-back sweep in the league’s decades-long history. 

“This year has been historic for us,” said Sai Karthik Garnepudi, president and captain of the WSU Cricket Club and a Ph.D. candidate in electrical and computer engineering. “In more than 20 years of this league, only a few teams have ever achieved this.” 

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 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.