Category: News

While Wichita State is on winter break Dec. 19, 2025-Jan. 5, 2026, Braeburn Square will continue operations.

Enjoy dining, shopping and other services at our numerous partners:

• Shocker Store
• Meritrust Credit Union
• Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
• Social Tap Drinkery
• Starbucks
• Sungrano Pizza
• Wheatly’s Burgers
• Jersey Mike’s
• Two Hands

Individual businesses may have holiday hours that differ from normal operations. Consult each business’ individual websites and social media channels for more information, and be sure to follow the Braeburn Square Facebook account for updates and special offers.

The University Staff Senate invites the Wichita State community to submit nominations for outstanding university staff for the 2026 President’s Distinguished Service and the Staff Senate Excellence Awards. These awards recognize the dedication and excellence of Wichita State staff who have provided exemplary, dedicated and caring service to the WSU community that is beyond the expectations of the duties and responsibilities of their position. Nominations can be submitted by anyone from within the Wichita State community.

To nominate a deserving staff member, visit the nomination webpage to learn more.

Nomination materials must be received by 5 p.m. Jan. 23, 2026. Send your nomination electronically to Gabriel Fonseca at gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu

The Graduate School recognizes the following students, nominated by faculty, for their achievements.

Dora Wallace Hodgson Graduate Outstanding Student Award (master’s and doctoral) recipients:

• Adrian Arustei (aerospace engineering, doctoral award)
• Thomas Babcock (communication, master’s award)
• Touseef Hasan (electrical engineering and computer science, doctoral award)
• Md Zawad Hossain (electrical and computer science, doctoral award)
• Varsha Jakkula (exercise science, master’s award)
• Seyedsahameddin Razavi (biomedical engineering, doctoral award)
• Kaitlyn Reis (anthropology, master’s award)
• Saurabh Singh (industrial engineering, doctoral award)

Delano Maggard Jr Research Scholarship awardee:

• Elizabeth Eckrote (English)

Tilford Scholarship recipients:

• Jami Ecklund (anthropology)
• Ana Jara Valenzuela (Spanish)

The Graduate School recognizes the following students, nominated by faculty, for their achievements: Adrian Arustei, Thomas Babcock, Touseef Hasan, Md Zawad Hossain, Varsha Jakkula, Seyedsahameddin Razavi, Kaitlyn Reis, Saurabh Singh, Elizabeth Eckrote, Jami Ecklund, Ana Jara Valenzuela.

The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has launched IMPACT — Innovative Mentored Projects for Applied Career Training, a program that provides students with paid, career-relevant project experiences while supporting meaningful work across the Wichita community and beyond.

As part of Wichita State’s strategic plan, every degree-seeking student at WSU is guaranteed an applied learning or research experience before graduation. That commitment has established WSU as a national model for career preparation and collaboration.

To accelerate this work, the Barton School received Applied Learning Fund support from Wichita State University to underwrite student wages this academic year. These university funds — allocated to WSU through state appropriations — are designed to expand experiential learning opportunities campus-wide.

Provide a holiday gift for a local child or adult through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, hosted by the Shocker Store. The program will be a hybrid this year, with the angel selection process being online but the gifts being returned in store.

Once you sponsor an angel, purchase the suggested gift(s) listed for that individual and bring it back to the Shocker Store (either RSC or Braeburn Square location) by Dec. 2. Gifts should be unwrapped, new and clearly labeled with your angel’s name and angel number.

Wichita State University’s Physical Education program made a strong impression at the 2025 Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (KAHPERD) Convention.

Senior Ian Stevens was named Future Professional of the Year, WSU students won first place in the College Bowl competition and Team K-12 presented an engaging session on “Cross-Curriculars for Elementary K-5.”

Led by Olivia Butler, program chair, 22 students attended the event, supported by funds from their annual Cornhole Tournament and Ablah Library sponsorship, gaining valuable professional experience and proudly representing the College of Applied Studies.

The winners of Wichita State’s annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, held Nov. 7, have been announced. The event showcased innovative research by graduate students, who were tasked with presenting their complex work in just three minutes to a general audience.

• First place: Setareh Darvishi, a doctoral student in industrial engineering, earned the top award with the presentation, “Dynamic Crew Configuration Recommendations for Emergency Medical Services” Advised by Dr. Laila Cure, Setareh will represent WSU at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools’ 3MT competition in the spring.
• First runner-up: Anusha Krishna Murthy, a doctoral student in the electrical engineering and computer science program, achieved first runner-up recognition with the presentation, “When Cells Remember: The Quantum Twists Inside Your Brain.” Anusha was co-advised by Dr. John Watkins and Dr. Elizabeth Behrman.
• Second runner-up: Laura Santander Diaz, a master’s student in biological sciences, received second runner-up honors for the presentation, “Abundance of Microbial Genes Relevant to N₂O Metabolism in Agricultural Soils Under Different Nitrogen Fertilization Regimes.” Dr. Mark Schneegurt is Laura’s advisor.

This year’s 3MT competition brought together students, faculty, staff and judges to celebrate the creativity, research and communication skills of WSU’s graduate students. Congratulations to all participants for making the event a success.

After more than 14 years of dedicated service, Jeanne Patton will be retiring on Dec. 5.

Jeanne began her journey with Wichita State in July 2011 as an administrative assistant in the Provost Office, where her attention to detail and commitment quickly earned her a promotion to budget analyst. In 2018, she transitioned to Information Technology Systems, taking on the role of director of ITS business and finance operations. Her leadership and financial insight have played a vital role in strengthening ITS operations and advancing key initiatives.

Jeanne is widely admired for her kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness. She never hesitates to assist anyone who reaches out to her, consistently sharing her deep knowledge of the university’s business processes with new business managers and helping them feel supported and confident in their roles. Her willingness to mentor, collaborate and uplift others has made her a cherished coworker and friend.

Jeanne’s contributions have left a lasting impact, and colleagues throughout Wichita State will deeply miss her.

Save the date for a come-and-go celebration and farewell event for Jeanne from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room. Share your memories, express your appreciation and wish Jeanne well in her next chapter.

Wichita State University observes Veterans Day as a paid holiday, but since the university remains open and classes are in session, time and leave reporting may vary. Benefit-eligible exempt and non-exempt employees follow different guidelines, and not everyone observes the holiday on the designated day.

Dr. Mathew Muether, professor and graduate coordinator for physics, has been selected as associate vice provost for faculty affairs.

Muether has been with Wichita State since 2014, first as an assistant professor, then an associate professor in 2019. He was also president of the Faculty Senate last year.

“I’m honored to serve as Wichita State’s first associate vice provost for faculty affairs and help launch this new office, which will bring dedicated focus to the needs and success of our faculty,” Muether said. “We have exceptionally talented faculty, and I’m excited to help unlock their full potential.”

In his new role as associate vice provost for faculty affairs, Muether will provide strategic leadership and oversight for faculty appointments including scope of work as well as faculty-related policies, programs and initiatives at Wichita State. The role supports the advancement, retention and excellence of faculty through collaborative governance, equitable workload and compensation practices, and robust evaluation and recognition systems.

“Dr. Muether cares deeply about creating an environment where faculty feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work,” said Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost. “His leadership will strengthen our ability to attract and retain outstanding faculty — which directly benefits our students.”

Muether will begin his new role on Jan. 3, 2026.