Category: News

Do you know a student who would make a great leader and role model for their peers? Nominations are now open for the 2027 transition mentor team. Transition mentors play a vital role in supporting new Shockers during their first year at Wichita State.

Faculty, staff and community partners are invited to submit nominations now through Sept. 30 by 11:59 p.m. Nominated students will receive an invitation to apply in October.

Submit your nomination at wichita.edu/TM. Email Kaelyn Hannah at kaelyn.hannah@wichita.edu for any questions or concerns.

First-gen Shockers are invited to submit artwork to an all-media art exhibition. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 2.

Art will be exhibited Nov. 2-13 in the Cadman Art Gallery in the Rhatigan Student Center, with a reception from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov 5 at the gallery.

Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third places and honorable mentions.

For questions or concerns, reach out to Marco Hernandez at marco.hernandezguillen@wichita.edu.

Graduate students who plan to complete all degree requirements this semester must file an application for degree and pay the $25 filing fee. This needs to be done no later than Monday, Sept. 14. Submit your application for degree even if you have a plan of study pending to be approved or have not submitted a plan of study.

To submit your application for degree, log into the myWSU portal and click on the myClasses tab. On the right hand side, you will find a section called “Graduation Links,” with the appropriate links to proceed. The $25 fee must be paid using a credit or debit card.

For questions, email the Graduate School at wsugradschool@wichita.edu.

Beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, Wichita State Fire Safety and Pinnacle Fire and Automation will begin conducting the required annual inspections and testing of fire alarm systems throughout campus.

Testing of all campus buildings is expected to take up to two weeks to complete.

They will make every effort to conduct testing in a way that minimizes disruption to classes and normal campus activities. However, because testing schedules may change, there will be no scheduled day or time for individual building inspections, and there will be no advance notice.

During testing, you may hear fire alarm notification appliances activate, including audible alarms and visual strobes. When a fire alarm sounds, occupants should follow their building’s established fire alarm evacuation procedures and evacuate the building as required.

Wichita State Fire Safety and Pinnacle Fire and Automation appreciate your cooperation and patience as they complete this required annual testing to help ensure the fire alarm systems across campus are operating properly.

Direct questions or concerns about the inspection and testing process to Scott Murray at scott.murray@wichita.edu.

Wichita State University will begin a search for its next University Police Department chief following the announcement that Chief Guy Schroeder will retire at the end of the fall semester in December. 

Information about the search process and opportunities for campus input will be shared in the coming weeks through WSU Today. Eason Bryer, executive director of Facilities Services, will serve as search chair.

Schroeder has served Wichita State for over 10 years and as Wichita State police chief since 2022. Leading up to being named police chief, Schroeder served as interim chief in late 2021. Before that, he was a captain in the UPD. 

As police chief, he has served as a close collaborator with Student Health Services and the CARE Team to help students in crisis and has been a member of the HOPE Services Advisory Board. 

“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Chief Schroeder for keeping our campus community safe and helping our students feel supported,” said David Miller, senior vice president for administration, finance and operations. “He has been a stalwart supporter of WSU and exemplifies the values we all share. His contributions to our campus will be sorely missed, and we wish him well on his well-earned retirement.” 

Schroeder’s commitment to protecting the community has extended beyond WSU’s campus. Prior to his time at WSU, Schroeder worked in the Wichita Police Department as a lieutenant for over 30 years. 

Nominations for the College of Fine Arts Centennial Hall of Fame are now being accepted. CFA uses the broadened definition of alumni to include not only WSU graduates but also those who have made significant contributions to the community and the arts, regardless of their formal affiliation with the college. CFA believes that this expanded focus allows it to honor a diverse range of individuals who have impacted the disciplines and inspired future generations.

Nomination details

• Eligibility: Individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts and the College of Fine Arts community
• Deadline for nominations: Sept. 30

Learn more about the college’s definition of alumni that CFA will follow for Hall of Fame nominations as well as see previous recipients on the College of Fine Arts website.

Submissions are open for the next edition of Academe. Any submissions after Monday, Sept. 14 will be saved for a future edition of the Academe newsletter.

If you are submitting on behalf of someone else, please indicate that in the comments section of your submission. Academe highlights faculty and staff accomplishments.

If you have questions regarding submissions to Academe, reach out to Caelin Bragg, publications editor, at caelin.bragg@wichita.edu or 316-978-3013.

Work on the website design refresh project has progressed through the summer months and the Web Team is ready to begin the countdown to launch. See the schedule for rollout and implementation.

September is Suicide Awareness Month. Wear your Suspender4Hope® shirts on Fridays to support mental health awareness and join in normalizing the practice of prioritizing mental health care without guilt or shame.

WSU employees and students can get their free shirt by completing a Suspender4Hope WSUWeSupportU Mental Wellness and Preventing Suicide training either in-person or online.

Free, online mental health and wellness screenings are available to all at wichita.edu/freescreen.

Appointments are required for any testing conducted in the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing. Schedule at least 24 hours in advance.

Valid, physical identification is required. Photos of an ID on a mobile device will not be accepted.

Hoodies and jackets are not permitted in the exam room, sweaters or crewnecks without hoods or pockets may be permitted.