Category: News

Teaching Tomorrow’s first issue of 2026 is out now. Classes are underway and campus is humming with students again. This issue provides some resources and links you may find yourself visiting as the semester begins.

One of the goals with this issue is that it provides support and tools for you to use as another busy semester begins. If you would like to get Teaching Tomorrow sent right to your email inbox, email oir@wichita.edu to get added to the mailing list.

Behind every student success story is someone who believed in them. Skylar Eikhoff-Fleeman, a student of the Elliott School of Communication, and her professor, Kevin Hager, share a mentorship that goes beyond the classroom. Whether they are producing media at Shocker Athletics events together, chatting during office hours or learning in the classroom, Skylar’s time with Kevin is marked by support, guidance and genuine care.

This video was produced by students in the fall 2025 Corporate & Commercial Video Production course.

As you come back to campus for the spring semester, you will notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State University’s 330 acres and beyond.

Wilkins Stadium

Construction is complete on the indoor softball practice facility adjacent to Wilkins Stadium. Inside the building is a netted softball infield that is divisible into batting and pitching practice areas.

Construction of the softball team and operations building to the south of the new indoor facility is anticipated to start in early March. Construction staging will be in the north section of parking lot 15. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2027.

University Stadium Phase 1A/1B

The renovation of Wichita State’s Cessna Stadium into University Stadium (formerly Cessna Stadium) took a big step forward Jan. 8 when the WSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to invest $38 million into Phase 2 of the project.

Phase 2 will begin after the KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships May 29-30 with demolition of the west grandstand in June. Construction of the new west stadium will be phased to ensure that seating is available for the 2027 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships. Construction is scheduled to be complete before the 2028 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships.

Construction continues for Phase 1B. This phase of construction consists of widening the field to hold a regulation-sized artificial turf soccer field and installing a nine-lane track and internal stadium sidewalks that will connect the east and west sides of the facility inside of the fence.

Improvements to the throwing area south of Charles Koch Arena are also underway. A storage building is under construction. Additions also include a longer javelin runway and warmup lanes. Shot put competition will move to this area from inside the stadium.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in April ahead of the KSHSAA State Track and Field Meet on May 29-30.

Ablah Library

Construction is underway on the second floor of the library for a project to relocate the Lowell D. Holmes Anthropology Museum from the current location in Neff Hall. The project is anticipated to be completed in early summer 2026.

The museum relocation is the first step to vacate the building in preparation for demolition of Neff Hall. The anthropology department will relocate to the Geology Building in early 2027 following a renovation in the Geology Building anticipated to begin in summer 2026.

Brennan I, II and III demolitions

Demolition of the three buildings is complete. TRIO/Upward Bound staff have relocated to their new home in Grace Wilkie Hall/Grace Wilkie Annex.

Henrion Hall HVAC Improvements Phase 3 and 4

Construction is underway in Henrion Hall for a project to provide air conditioning to the remainder of the building following recent projects in the sculpture and ceramics classroom areas as well as relocating and expanding the wood shop.

The project will be phased to allow the building to remain occupied but will affect building entrances throughout the year. Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.

Morrison Hall

Construction is underway in Morrison Hall on a project to replace the elevator and update the finishes/ceiling/lighting on the first floor of the building. The first floor and elevator are anticipated to be open to the public in February 2026.

NIAR Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Research

Construction on the NIAR HAMR building continues to progress. Construction is expected to be complete by the early 2026.

The 170,000-square-foot building is partly funded by an EDA grant and will house advanced manufacturing research labs and associated offices.

The building is located on Innovation Boulevard between the Partnership Building 1 and The Suites. The first floor is primarily labs with offices on the second floor.

Partnership Building 3B

Partnership Building 3B is under construction. It will house the Forensic Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The building is expected to be complete early in spring 2026.

BeoShock admins will be deactivating and removing users who are not listed in active directory and/or have not been active in the BeoShock systems for over a year. All stored research data for deactivated users will be removed after six months from the deactivation date.

Department heads and chairs, if you are aware of research data that was conducted using the HPC BeoShock environment by individuals no longer in your department and need the research data to be saved, submit an HPC support ticket to discuss moving those materials to another secure storage location outside the HPC BeoShock systems. For additional information about BeoShock and HPC, visit the HPC User Support and User Guides webpages.

If you have questions or concerns, contact Terrance Figy, director of HPC, at terrance.figy@wichita.edu.

The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes has partnered with Flipside Pinball, placing modern-day pinball machines to provide the perfect break in your day. Players can create an account to have their achievements recorded and work to earn a position on the leaderboard.

The current lineup includes Mustang, Iron Maiden, Thunderball and Venom, and Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is offering free play Jan. 20-24, so come and try them out. After that, the games operate on cash only, priced at 75 cents for one game or three games for $2.

This winter, the Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker is hosting a coat drive. From Tuesday, Jan. 20 to Friday, Feb. 6, donate winter coats, jackets, sweaters, gloves and scarves to help Shockers stay warm this winter season.

Drop your donations off in bins located around campus – drop off locations include:

• 219 Rhatigan Student Center, Student Government Association office
• Shocker Hall lobby
• Shocker Success Center

For questions, visit the Student Government Association in 219 RSC or email sga.locker@wichita.edu.

Are you using open/alternative textbooks or materials in your course?

Open-source textbooks have been found to increase both engagement and satisfaction for students, while lowering their financial burden. At WSU, you can have your course designated as either OAT-Z (zero cost) or OAT-L (low cost of $50 or less) under the Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative, which gives your course visibility to students in the schedule as an OAT course.

Open-source course materials include:

• Open-access textbook
• Library resources
• Open educational materials
• Multimedia resources
• Faculty-authored materials

For more information on OAT courses and materials, visit the Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative website, where you can also access the OAT course designation request forms.

The deadline to submit OAT designation request forms for fall 2026 is Feb. 15.

Join WSU Spark Society any time throughout the year. Your $12 annual dues (July through June) not only help Spark fund events like bingo (scheduled next on Feb. 18) but also supplements the Spark Scholarship Fund. Join to make cross-campus connections and stay for the friendship and good times. Membership includes the opportunity to attend Spark events and activities organized by these interest groups:

• Book Club
• Friends & Food
• Lunch Bunch
• New Members
• Theatre

Go to the WSU Spark Society membership page for eligibility conditions and the membership form. Interest groups may be selected on the form.

Save the date for Open Streets ICT April 19 for the free community-building event as almost two miles of 17th Street (from Oliver and Volutsia) is closed off. Connect with fellow community members, local vendors, organizations and resources while enjoying a fun, active day outdoors.

Additionally, vendor and volunteer registration is now open. This is an opportunity for small businesses, local organizations and WSU departments/groups to engage with the community while being part of the fun. All WSU departments, groups, RSOs can register for free, just put “on route” at registration.

If you have ideas, questions, would like to contribute to the day or sponsor, reach out to Naquela Pack at naquela.pack@wichita.edu.

All spring 2026 parking ePermits are now on sale both online and in person at Parking Services. Purchases made at Parking Services are cash or check only. There is an ATM in the lobby. If you have questions, contact Parking Services at 316-978-5526 or wsuparking@wichita.edu.