Campus Connection: Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025

Growing Innovation and Research

Overhead photo of campus with a flag pole with the United States, Kansas and Wichita flags in the foreground and the campus in the background

Wichita State joins other institutions in receiving renewed $20 million grant for generative AI R&D

Wichita State is one of the recipients of a renewed $20 million grant as part of the AI Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning (IFML), of which WSU is a founding member.

The grant will be awarded to the IFML institutions over the next five years and is used to support the development of more advanced generative AI that is open-sourced, which enables broader adoption and fosters innovation across a wide range of fields.

Dr. Kaushik Sinha, associate professor of computing in the College of Engineering, is the principal investigator for Wichita State’s $1.27 million share of the grant, which will be used to continue Sinha’s research and fund graduate students and support workforce development.

College of Engineering, Groover Labs awarded grant to grow student innovation

Wichita State’s College of Engineering is expanding student innovation and applied learning opportunities through a new state-funded partnership with Groover Labs, a downtown Wichita makerspace and official WSU partner.

On July 15, the Kansas Department of Commerce named Groover Labs one of two recipients of the Accelerating Concept to Commercialization in Kansas (ACCEL-KS) grant. Groover Labs and KU Innovation Park in Lawrence will share $800,000 to support at least 32 early-stage commercialization projects across the state.

Applied Learning

James Wright stands with how teammates in the ViBracelet team, who competed at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Pitch Conference

WSU senior prepares for aviation workforce with NIAR internship

James Wright’s work in the Environmental Test Lab for the National Institute for Aviation Research includes measuring salt spray fallout, welding and CAD modeling.

Through each day of his paid internship, one benefit stands out – problem solving. Wright, a Wichita State University senior majoring in aerospace engineering, is from Joplin, Missouri, and works as a mechanical student assistant at NIAR.

“It’s a lot of problem solving,” he said. “I think that it’s vital to learn how to operate in this sort of environment while you’re at school, so that once you make it into the workforce you’re comfortable learning things the hard way and clawing your way up when you’re in a new and unfamiliar situation.”

Shocker Athletics

Former Shocker Markis McDuffie riles the crowd during The Basketball Tournament championship game.

AfterShocks win TBT Championship in front of Shocker fans

Wichita loves nothing more than a good basketball reason to fill up Charles Koch Arena. This summer, the AfterShocks gave people six good reasons, and fans responded in increasing numbers all the way to confetti and a championship trophy.

On Sunday, the AfterShocks won The Basketball Tournament with an 82-67 victory over Eberlein Drive in front of 9,029 revved-up fans. The team will divide the TBT prize of $1 million.

Attendance in Koch Arena helped the AfterShocks secure home games throughout TBT.

“I feel really lucky we were able to play in front of that crowd, especially in a basketball game in August,” guard Conner Frankamp told reporters. “They’re so loud, it’s amazing in there.”

The Shocker dance team perform at a men's basketball game in Charles Koch Arena.

Dance earns two first place awards at NDA Dance Camp

Competing in its first organized event under head coach Amy Pollard-Yarberry, the Shocker dance squad put together an excellent performance at the 2025 National Dance Association (NDA) Dance Camp

As a team, the Shockers put together two first-place finishes, coming in first in the Division I Game Day Run Off competition and first in Division I Pro Team Dance. For its performance, the team earned a gold bid to NDA Nationals and a spirit stick.

The Shockers earned spots on the NDA All-American team, with Abby Allen, Audrey Menzies and Claire Baker all earning All-American honors.

Learn more about the Spirit Squad

Programs and Courses

Learn more about globalization in the business world with Badges

Those looking to deepen their understanding of globalization and its effects on the business world can take one or many Badges in the Global Business series here at Wichita State. Badges in the series cover the implications of globalization, differing cultures, exporting and entering foreign markets.

Badges are bite-sized, one credit hour or less courses that you can take at your own pace during the semester. These badges are developed in concert with employers, government licensing agencies, trade associations and faculty, meaning employees and employers alike can be confident that meaningful learning occurred.

To learn more about Badges, including how to enroll for the fall 2025 semester, visit wichita.edu/badges.

Wichita State has been a national leader in creating a standard for microcredentials.

Events and Recreation

October 18 2025 Pumpkin Run 5k Wichita State University

Register for the Pumpkin Run, a Wichita State tradition

Join the annual Pumpkin Run 5K Wichita State. Whether you’re racing for a personal best or just in it for the fun, this fall tradition is one you won’t want to miss.

All participants will receive:

A Pumpkin Run T-shirt
A shiny Finisher Medal
Awards for top finishers in each age group and overall winners

Running with friends? Invite your crew using your personal referral link. When five or more friends register with your code, you’ll get $15 off your registration through the referral program.

Can’t join us in person? You can sign up for the Virtual Run and complete your 5K on your own schedule — anywhere, anytime. You’ll still get this year’s exclusive shirt and medal. Kids ages 10 and under can join the fun in the Little Pumpkin Run 1K. They’ll receive a 1k youth-sized T-shirt and a finisher medal — perfect for their first race.

The Pumpkin Run is proud to support Suspenders4Hope — $1 from every registration goes directly to the 2025 Charity Partner.

A happy girl enjoys making an art project.

Come create at the Ulrich Museum during Summer Studio Saturday

Come cool off during Summer Studio Saturday for free guided art-making from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 in the Ulrich Museum’s UCreate maker’s space. Participate in a wide variety of projects, including activities that will be installed in the Amsden Gallery through the fall season. Don’t miss out on this chance to beat the heat and enjoy some creative time.