Category: University Life

Needing a quiet place to study, write your paper or practice a presentation? WSU has numerous spots around campus for you to utilize:

Ablah Library is the perfect spot for preparing for finals. Writing a research paper for a class? Ask one of the librarians for help finding material. Need to practice a presentation? The library has private study rooms you can rent for free.

Woolsey Hall is one of WSU’s newest buildings, and it’s furnished with state-of-the-art study rooms designed for comfort, whether you’re studying alone or with a small group. And you have easy access to the Cargill Café on the first floor.

The Shocker Success Center is your one-stop shop for all things Shocker resources. You have access to the Shocker Learning Center if you’re in need of tutoring, and Ablah Library and the RSC are just a short walk away if you need research help or food.

Did you know that Pizza Hut was started by two Wichita State students here in Wichita? You can look back at the history of the pizza chain by visiting the Pizza Hut Museum, located on the Innovation Campus near the Marcus Welcome Center.

The museum stands not only as a monument to the chain that Dan and Frank Carney started, but as a symbol of the innovation from students at Wichita State.

What seems to be a random set of three columns on the southwest corner of campus actually hold a unique piece of Wichita State lore. The columns were originally part of the Carnegie/Morrison Library, which were part of the 1964 fire that hit the campus.

As the building, where the Ulrich Museum of Art is today, was being razed, Wichita State alumna Kathlien Edmiston staged a protest by sitting on one of the columns to prevent them from being bulldozed and led the campaign to preserve them. Thanks to her efforts, students today can see a bit of Wichita State history every time they come to campus.

Explore the wide range of events hosted by nearly 300 on-campus student organizations. The ShockerSync calendar is your go-to resource for finding activities that match your interests: wichita.edu/shockersync.

The Ulrich Museum of Art is a landmark of Wichita State’s campus and is home to roughly 7,000 unique modern and contemporary artworks.

Adorned with “Bird People” by Joan Miro, it stands as one of the most recognizable sights on the campus and is surrounded by even more gems of WSU, including Millie the Millipede and the LOVE Sculpture, both of which are icons of the campus.

Two pods designed by WSU alum Brady Hatter are on campus, serving as unique hangout spots for you and your friends:

• The Love Lock Pod, near Woolsey Hall, invites people to bring padlocks and notes to celebrate relationships and friendships.
• The Shocker Pod, between The Flats and The Suites, features acrylic panels in WSU colors that bathe the occupants in colored light.

Visiting muralist GLeo painted the stunning “Adelante Juntos – Forward Together” mural at the Duerksen Fine Arts Center Amphitheater. The mural was painted in conjunction with an exhibition at the Ulrich Museum of Art in May 2024.

The mural celebrates the past, present and future of Latinx culture at Wichita State, and whether you are at the amphitheater for an event or want to take in the intricate detail of the mural, it’s the perfect trip to make between your classes.

Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes in the lower level of the Rhatigan Student Center is the perfect place for you to hang out and dine between your classes. And students with their Shocker IDs get discounted rates at both the bowling alley and at the billiards tables, so grab a bite to eat and play a few games with your classmates.

Send the week off right by wearing your black and yellow gear every Friday for Shocker Pride Fridays. Whether you’re on campus, relaxing at home, hopping on a virtual meeting or out in the community, stay connected to Shocker Nation in style. Now’s the perfect chance to grab gear as campus gets ready for basketball season, so stop by the Shocker Store in the RSC, Charles Koch Arena or at Braeburn Square and find what speaks to you.

The Grafly Gardens are a set of sculptures made by Charles Grafly, arranged together in a tucked away spot surrounded by nature in the southwest corner of campus. It’s not only a place to admire master craftsmanship, but it’s somewhere to take a break from the hustle of college life.

The sculptures were gifted by Dorothy Grafly Drummond and Charles H. Drummond and are part of the extensive Ulrich Museum of Art Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection, pieces of which you can spot all over campus.