Category: Foundation and Alumni Engagement

Founders’ Day is one of the most powerful opportunities of the year to lift up programs and students across Wichita State. With your help, the university can continue to build momentum that benefits every corner of campus.

Last year, there were more than 500 new donors who participated thanks to campus-wide amplification and your area could benefit from this result. Becoming an ambassador is an easy way to help. WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement will provide graphics, templates and messages for you to share.

All WSU reimbursements from Foundation funds to RU funds must be submitted no later than noon June 18 in order to be processed within the current fiscal year. When submitting your reimbursement request, confirm that all required documentation is included. Requests that are incomplete or missing documentation may cause delay.

For more information regarding Foundation finances, WSU Foundation Finance Service portal.

A quick reminder that the Founders’ Day Ambassador Team is looking for new members.

Last year, ambassadors helped drive some of the strongest Founders’ Day outcomes, including:

• A $2,000 student challenge that inspired nearly $37,000 in giving to student groups
• An Applied Studies Advisory Board match that produced a 558% increase for the Life Happens Fund
• Funds raised for areas all across campus

These are great examples of how a little sharing goes a long way.

Becoming an ambassador is simple: Sign up your department, group or cause.

Wichita State’s Founders Day is coming up on Sept. 17, and organizers are excited to begin building the Ambassador Team for this year’s campaign. Ambassadors play a key role in helping spread the word about giving opportunities, student stories, matches and challenges that make a real impact across campus.

Why become an ambassador? 

• You can help your program by bringing in new donations and new donors 
• It takes only a few minutes to share posts or forward messages. 
• You help elevate the visibility of your department, student group or program. 

If you’re interested in helping build excitement and awareness, sign up to be an ambassador.

As year-end approaches, review the following important deadlines for the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement.

Accounts payable:

The Foundation will be closed Dec. 22 through Jan. 2, 2025. All requisitions must be submitted by noon Thursday, Dec, 18 for processing in the current calendar year.

If you have any questions regarding requisitions, email foundation.ap@wichita.edu.

Year-end gifts for 2025 tax credit:

• Checks without a postmarked envelope: Deliver to the Foundation Finance Office at Woodman Center or Campus Box 2 by 1 p.m. Dec. 31.
• Checks with a postmark dated Dec. 31: Must arrive at the Foundation by end of day Monday, Jan. 12, 2025.
• Credit/debit card transactions (in-office): Submit by 1 p.m. Dec. 31.
• Online bank drafts and credit card gifts: Process until midnight, Dec. 31.

If you have any questions regarding gifts, contact Lily Tran via email at lily.tran@wichita.edu or 316-978-5191.

Today’s the day. Shockers around the world are coming together for Founders’ Day of Giving to support students and programs across Wichita State.

With dozens of matching and challenge gifts to unlock, every gift, large or small, will make your generosity go even further, multiplying the difference we can make together.

On Sept. 17, the Shocker community will unite for Wichita State’s annual online day of giving to support the campus community. Here’s how you can get involved:

Fundraise for your department or organization. By signing up your group, you’ll get access to special resources to help share your Shocker pride, track your group’s collective impact and spark some friendly competition across campus. Sign up your group today.

Become an ambassador. Help encourage others to give by using the Ambassador Toolkit, where you’ll find messages, graphics and tips to help spread the word.

Offer a match gift. Matching donations are a great way to show your support for a campaign and encourage others to get involved. You can match dollar-for-dollar or dollar-per-donor, or set up a challenge gift for donors to unlock.

Don’t wait and grab your tickets to an evening of Shocker fun and celebration today for the Heritage Gala Oct. 9. Early bird ticket pricing ends Friday.

The event will feature student showcases and performances, a heated competition for Shocker Best Dressed and have opportunities for you to share some of your favorite Shocker memories.

Help the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement choose the design for this year’s exclusive swag giveaway.

The Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement (WSUFAE) is pleased to announce the promotion of Sheila Krug ’98/99 to vice president of finance and operations. Krug brings more than two decades of financial leadership experience in higher education and nonprofit sectors to her new role, including seven years with the WSUFAE.