Category: News

The Shocker Store is selling a new T-shirt in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For each one sold, $1 will be donated to Victory in the Valley, who provides support to cancer patients, survivors and their families in the area. The tee is available at both the Rhatigan Student Center and Braeburn Square stores and online. The offer is good while supplies last. No discounts accepted on this merchandise.

Graduating students, if you are a member of and would like to order a stole for either the Japanese Culture Association or University Innovation Fellows, pre-orders must be completed by Oct. 15 at shockerstore.com. They will arrive the first week of December in time for commencement. These stoles are only available by pre-order, they will not be carried in store later. For questions, call 316-978-7021 or email shockerstore@wichita.edu.

The Barton School of Business proudly welcomes Lynda Jackson, an England-based communications expert, as its fall 2025 J. Robert Young Executive-in-Residence. Jackson is a distinguished communications specialist and strategist, organizational psychologist, global speechwriter and public speaking coach. She brings a wealth of global experience to her clients and has advised presidents, prime ministers and Fortune 500 executives.

“I love working with others and helping people of all ages gain confidence as communicators and leaders,” said Jackson. “I am honored and excited to work with Barton School students, faculty, staff, and the local community as the newest Executive-in-Residence.”

In this role, Jackson will engage students through mentoring and networking sessions, while also collaborating with the Barton School’s leadership team and faculty throughout the semester. Her residency will culminate in a public keynote address as part of the James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series during the fall 2025 semester titled: “Leading with Impact: The Power of Communication to Connect, Inspire, and Transform.” This dynamic presentation will explore the power of effective communication in leadership — highlighting strategies for driving change, inspiring teams and leading with purpose. The keynote will take place at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 29 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium. RSVP to the keynote.

As part of the Kansas Board of Regents’ Apply Free Days, prospective students who are Kansas residents can submit an application for free to Wichita State now through Wednesday, Oct. 8.

The application is for degree-bound, undergraduate admission. Fill out your application now, or submit a previously started application, to have your application fee waived until Oct. 8.

Learn more about Apply Free Days from the Kansas Board of Regents. The fee waiver is for Kansas residents only.

As part of the Kansas Board of Regents’ Apply Free Days, prospective students who are Kansas residents can submit an application for free to Wichita State next week starting Monday Oct. 6 through Oct. 8.

The application is for degree-bound, undergraduate admission. Applications can be started at any time and saved for completion later, so you can start your application now and wait to submit until the Apply Free Days to have your application fee waived.

Learn more about Apply Free Days from the Kansas Board of Regents. The fee waiver is for Kansas residents only.

The Barton School of Business today launches “Barton Foresight: AI Outlook,” a new publication exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping business, education and society. As the first in a series of Barton Foresight initiatives, “AI Outlook” underscores the school’s commitment to equipping its community — and the wider region — with tools to anticipate change and act on it.

In 2022, the Barton School introduced the Bloom Plan, a living framework designed to accelerate enrollment growth, improve retention, raise the school’s profile and expand its impact across research, fundraising and workforce development. With the Bloom Plan in place, the school established Barton Foresight to extend this momentum by helping organizations anticipate future trends and prepare practical responses. Barton Foresight also works inwardly, supporting Barton’s faculty, staff and students in developing the capacity to navigate and shape emerging market shifts.

Students are requested to provide updated information to WSU anytime there is a change to contact information. This includes mailing address, phone number and emergency contact. It is especially important that you provide and update an emergency contact.

The person you list will only be contacted in the event of a health or safety emergency in which you are personally involved. If you live on campus, this will also be the person contacted should you be reported as missing. You may list a parent, family member, spouse or other trusted individual as your emergency contact. You will find the link to your profile page on the myWSU Home tab, under Student Tools then myContact Info. A separate link there also provides an opportunity to update self-reported military affiliation.

Please take a few minutes right now and ensure WSU has your updated information and an emergency contact.

The Office of Academic Affairs has announced new emeriti members. Help congratulate the following emeriti:

• John E. Dreifort, professor emeritus of history
• Linnea F. GlenMaye, associate vice president for Academic Affairs and associate professor emerita of social work
• Gawad Nagati, associate professor emeritus of aerospace engineering
• Anthony J. Vizzini, professor emeritus of aerospace engineering

Emeritus status is an honorary designation conferred upon retirees in recognition of their contributions and accomplishments over their years of service to the university. Visit the Emeriti Faculty page for a complete listing of emeritus and emerita faculty.

Brianna Stephens returned to Wichita State this fall, boosted by the encouragement of her family and the Shocker Comeback Program. 

“Once my family realized I was a class short of graduating, they pushed me to go back and be the one to start a new tradition,” she said. “I will be the first person in my family to finish college.” 

Stephens, from Wichita, plans to finish her accounting degree and graduate in December. She first attended WSU in 2022 while working full time. The Shocker Comeback Program is designed to help students finish their degree program with personal support, financial aid, the Shocker Comeback Scholarship, success conversations and more. 

President Rick Muma and First Gentleman Rick Case will join Debra Fraser, KMUW general manager. on air for KMUW’s pledge drive from 7 to 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 where they are matching donations dollar for dollar. Tune in at 89.1 or at kmuw.org.