Category: Shocktoberfest

To get in the Shocker spirit, the community can now purchase shirts to show off the upcoming 2025 Shocktoberfest, starting Sept. 29. Choose from a T-shirt, long-sleeve tee, sweatshirt or hoodie that features the Amber Waves of Grain design.

Orders are open through Tuesday, Sept. 9. You can also choose to give back to the WSU community through donations of $5, $10, or $15 which will go to supporting Shocktoberfest and campus initiatives.

Want to know what’s in store for Shocktoberfest 2025? Join the second Shocktoberfest all-university meeting at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4 in 266 Rhatigan Student Center, Pike Room.

The committee will present the planned events, review this year’s schedule and share ways your organization can participate in this year’s festivities.

Shocktoberfest, Wichita State’s annual celebration of spirit and pride, is Sept. 29-Oct. 4. Returning this year is Shocker Royalty and you can nominate students to serve on the Shocktoberfest Court.

Nominate a student:

The Shocktoberfest Court will consist of 12 students, two from each academic college, who serve as role models for the entire university community. Court members will be required to submit a video, and two students will selected to hold the title of Shocker Royalty.

The Shocktoberfest Committee encourages you to nominate students who

• Positively represent Wichita State University
• Play an active role on-campus in an organization, group, and/or position of leadership
• Promote belonging and Shocker Pride
• Demonstrate academic excellence

Nominations will close at midnight Friday, Sept. 5.

Candidate requirements:

• Currently enrolled, full-time, degree-seeking students
• Sophomore class standing with 30 or more credits earned as of August 2025
• 2.75 GPA or higher
• Good academic and conduct standing with Wichita State

Process for nominees:

• All nominees who meet the requirements of the Shocktoberfest Court will be asked to submit an application.
• All eligible applicants will be included in a ballot based on their academic college. Members of their college will vote to select the top two candidates who will serve on the Shocktoberfest Court.
• Up to 12 members will be selected to serve on the Shocktoberfest Court. Two from each academic college.
• Shocktoberfest Court representatives are required to submit a “get to know me” video.
• Court members will attend and participate in Shocktoberfest events.
• At Shocker Madness, two students will be crowned and given the title of Shocker Royalty.

Want to know what’s in store for Shocktoberfest 2025? Join the first Shocktoberfest All-University meeting at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom.

The committee will present the planned events, review this year’s schedule and share ways your organization can participate in this year’s festivities.

Thousands of students, alumni, families and community members filled campus with excitement and Shocker Pride during last week’s Shocktoberfest, which welcomed new traditions like the bonfire and Entrepreneur Market, as well as continued traditions like the parade and Shocker Madness.

Shocker royalty: Two students were named as Shocker royalty from a court of 12 candidates: Riley McMillan — junior biological sciences with a pre-dental track from Concordia, Kansas — said “I am forever grateful for my choice to be a part of Shocker Nation, and will cherish my time here for the rest of my life.” And Matthew Phan — a senior in mechanical engineering from Wichita — said “Community service is incredibly important for me, and I have done my best to advocate for students and people within the local community through volunteering and outreach events.”

Spirit awards: Teams competed throughout the week for points and a chance at $1,000. Our spirit competition winners:

• First place: WSU Cheer
• Second place: Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Third place: Sigma Phi Epsilon

Among the many events were individual and group competitions.

Individual and department award recipients

• Banner competition: WSU Cheer
• Departmental door decorating competition: Office of Instructional Resources
• Pickleball tournament: men’s tennis coaches
• RSO Attendance Competition: Life of Christ student organization

Parade winners

• Wu’s Winner – Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Most Creative – Ulrich Museum of Art
• People’s Choice – WSU Tennis Teams

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Shocktoberfest a success. We can’t wait to do it again next year.

The inaugural Entrepreneur Market will highlight the many diverse small businesses in our community run by alumni, students and friends. Browse market stalls from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 5 in Woolsey Hall to explore unique creations while supporting local businesses.

The Shocktoberfest Parade, which begins at 4 p.m. Oct. 5, is the highlight of the weeklong celebration. Participants will enjoy entertainment from the Shocker Sound Machine marching band, dance teams and decorated cars and floats from student groups and community members.

For the best parade experience, grab a spot along Innovation Boulevard, Mike Oatman Drive or Perimeter Road. These locations offer great views and are easily accessible.

Visit the Braeburn Square Shocker Store during Family Weekend Oct. 4 and 5 and save 30-70% on select Shocker gear during the Family Weekend Clearance Sale.

Store hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days, and the sale is open to the public.

Get a first look at this year’s men’s and women’s basketball teams at this year’s Shocker Madness, starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 in Charles Koch Arena. And during the event, catch the crowning of this year’s Shocker Royalty.

Watch a parade full of Shocker spirit during the annual Shocktoberfest Parade at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Grab a spot along Innovation Boulevard, Mike Oatman Drive or Perimeter Road and enjoy a show featuring Shocker Sound Machine, the dance teams and decorated cars and floats from student organizations and the community.