Shocker Blast: Monday, Sept. 28, 2026

Construction / Maintenance

Site plan of utility work associated with Neff Hall demolition and Geology Building remodel.

Pedestrian routes to be temporarily affected by utility work near RSC, Geology Building and Neff Hall

Please be aware of the following temporary pedestrian route changes due to ongoing campus infrastructure projects:

Rhatigan Student Center (RSC) area

Starting Monday, Sept. 28, the main sidewalk east of the RSC will be closed for sewer line installation and construction:

This work is expected to last approximately five weeks, with an expected completion date of Nov. 2 (this is subject to change).
Individuals who can use stairs may use the stairs on the east side of the RSC to circumvent the closure.
Individuals needing an accessible route should travel through the RSC utilizing the elevator to change floors and the ramp on the northeast side of the building for access to the quad.

Neff Hall/Shocker Success Center (SSC)/Geology Building area

The path between Neff Hall and the SSC will be closed for the remainder of the semester while new utility lines are installed.
The north entrance to the SSC remains open and accessible. An elevator is available to reach the first floor.
The accessible route to the Geology Building is via the ground-level elevator entrance on the south side.
Neff Hall has two accessible exit routes: through the building’s north entrance out onto the quad or through the south entrance to the Geology Building to access the elevator down to the ground floor. The building may not be accessed from the east due to utility work.

Yard signs and wall signs showing detours to Wallace Hall around Neff Hall, Geology Building and the Engineering Building have been added. Should any of these routes change, it will be promptly communicated and the signage will be updated.

Thank you for your patience as these improvements are completed.

Questions may be directed to Facilities Planning at 316-978-3444.

Shocktoberfest

Celebrate community and tradition at the 2026 Shocktoberfest

Wichita State University invites the community to show its black-and-yellow spirit during 2026 Shocktoberfest, a weeklong tradition of Shocker pride, Sept. 28-Oct. 3.

Shocktoberfest door decorations are on display

Shocktoberfest themed doors decorated by departments are on display around campus through Monday, Oct. 5. Decorations celebrate Shocker pride and include this year’s theme, “Building on Tradition.”

Make your way around campus and see the hard work and creativity that departments have put towards showing their Shocker pride. Awards will be announced at Shocker Madness Saturday, Oct. 3.

Dorothy & Bill Cohen Honors College – Shocker Hall, Building A, located on the first floor across from the information desk
IDP Procurement – 323 John Bardo Center
Office of Student Accommodations & Testing – 118 Shocker Success Center
Shocker Career Accelerator – 320 Marcus Welcome Center, Milly Marcus Annex
Student Engagement & Belonging – 216 Rhatigan Student Center
TRIO Student Support Services – 307 Shocker Success Center
Veteran Upward Bound & Veteran Student Support – 320 Grace Wilkie Hall

Shocktoberfest takes place Sept. 28-Oct. 3. For a full schedule of events and activities during Shocktoberfest, visit wichita.edu/shocktoberfest.

Resources

WSU General Dentistry dentists work on a student in their office.

Shocker perks: WSU General Dentistry

With your Shocker ID, you have access to the Student Dental Discount at WSU General Dentistry, located at 2838 Oliver St., which gives discount pricing to dental procedures from cleanings and fillings to extractions and more. The discount also applies to students’ spouses and children.

Learn more about WSU General Dentistry

Student Success Tip #7: Are you feeling stressed?

This time of the semester often brings increased stress and sickness. Luckily, Counseling and Psychological Services can help you create or maintain a balanced lifestyle or just serve as a sounding board about stressors in your life by speaking with a professional. Office visits are $10, but students in need will never be turned away if they are unable to pay.

Learn more and schedule an appointment

Green and yellow abstract art background, text says: "Cultivating Joy building value-driven life skills 5 - 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 30 RSC 262 HOPE Services"

Attend workshop on cultivating joy and building value-driven life skills

Looking for practical ways to navigate stress and stay connected to what matters most? Join Braeden Miller, SGA director of health and wellness, for “Cultivating Joy: Building Value-Driven Life Skills,” an interactive workshop grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

The workshop will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room.

Participants will learn strategies for managing difficult thoughts, practicing mindfulness, building resilience and taking meaningful action aligned with their personal values. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of what matters most to them and practical tools they can use to support their wellbeing throughout the semester.

Presented by HOPE Services.

Research Mixer, October 6, 2026 | 4:30 - 7:00 PM Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom, Networking Bingo, WSU Lab Highlights, Keynote Speech by Dr. Moriah Beck, RSVP on The Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Hub’s website, A unit of the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College, The Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Hub

UReCA to host Research Mixer Oct. 6

Join the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA) Hub at its second annual Research Mixer from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 6 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

This year, participants will hear from both students and faculty about their current lab highlights, have networking opportunities and hear from Dr. Moriah Beck on the importance of research right now.

RSVP for the event

Savvy Scholar Workshop, Tuesdays at 3:30-4:30, October 6, How to Write a Literature Review, Online Only

Attend online Savvy Scholar workshop on how to write a literature review

Learn all the steps to create a literature review, from conducting comprehensive research to synthesizing perspectives to presenting your findings, at the next Savvy Scholar workshop from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 virtually.

The Savvy Scholar Workshop Series is designed to help students (plus faculty and staff) navigate multiple stages of the research process.

Learn more and register

Get answers for your inquiries about research at UReCA meetings

Join the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA) Hub online and bring research-related questions to upcoming office hours.

The research troubleshoot meetings are held every three weeks to help answer any undergraduate research-related questions. These meetings are from 10 to 11 a.m. on the following dates online via Microsoft Teams:

Sept. 8
Sept. 29
Oct. 20
Nov. 10
Dec. 1

Questions like how to find a mentor, URCA Hub Grant questions, Undergraduate Day at the Capitol and more are welcome. If staff do not know the answer, they will find out and get back to you.

If you are unable to attend but still have questions, email undergraduateresearch@wichita.edu.

Find the Microsoft Teams link

Financial Aid and Scholarships

2027-28 FAFSA opened early. Fill yours out now

The FAFSA for the 2027-28 academic year is officially open to all students. Remember to fill out your form by the priority date of Dec. 1 to maximize your financial aid. Completing your FAFSA early ensures you remain eligible for the widest range of grants and aid. Head to studentaid.gov to start your application today.

For help, schedule an appointment with a financial aid advisor on Navigate.

Attend Shocker Financial Wellness workshops and enter drawing for free spring 2027 tuition

Shocker Financial Wellness is hosting its fall 2026 workshop series, and that means another chance for a spring scholarship covering your tuition.

Attend three of the upcoming workshops this semester, and schedule an appointment with a peer financial coach, to be entered into a drawing for the scholarship.

Shocker Financial Wellness, part of the Office of Financial Aid, is your resource for financial literacy and budgeting.

Join the upcoming workshops for fun and prizes:

Buying vs. leasing cars: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sept. 30 in 142 RSC, Harvest Room
Living on or off campus: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 21 in 142 RSC, Harvest Room
Scholarship tips: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in 142 RSC, Harvest Room

Events and Recreation

Join SAC for Build-a-Friend Sept. 29

Join the Student Activities Council (SAC) for Build-a-Friend at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center or at Ablah Library while supplies last. Wichita State students can stop by either location to build their own stuffed friend to take home. This event is free for WSU students and is available while supplies last, so be sure to stop by early.

To learn more about upcoming SAC events and opportunities to get involved, follow SAC on social media or visit wichita.edu/sac.

A graphic of the Personnages Oiseaux mural on the front of the Ulrich Museum of Art sits in the center of a white background with the text, "Wichita State University. Shocker Pride. Nationwide. Celebrate the Arts - 2026."

Join the arts at WSU for ‘Shocker Pride. Nationwide. Celebrate the Arts’ on Oct. 1

Join the arts at Wichita State for "Shocker Pride. Nationwide. Celebrate the Arts," a spotlight on the creativity, talent and innovation that define the university's vibrant arts community.

Together, we can end domestic violence. Attend the PURPLE MILE on October 10th from 9AM - 11AM at the Wichita state Rhatigan Student Center. Decorative images of purple ribbon and people at memorial walk.

11th annual Purple Mile will be hosted at RSC Oct. 10

Attend the Purple Mile in October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a free event open to campus and community members. The event includes local organizations tabling to share resources, guest speakers and a one-mile awareness and remembrance walk. Each year, the Purple Mile brings together community members, advocates, service providers and supporters to raise awareness, honor survivors, remember victims and promote resources available throughout the community.

Blue sky background with yellow words Ad Astra Conference for First-Generation College Students in script and block fonts.

Register for the 2027 Ad Astra Conference for first-gen students

Register now for the Ad Astra Conference on Jan. 29, 2027. The Ad Astra Conference brings together first-gen students from colleges and universities across Kansas and the surrounding states together for a common experience with a desired outcome of greater persistence to graduation.

The Ad Astra Conference will be held in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom in the second and third floor RSC meeting rooms. WSU students can attend for free.

Recognized Student Organization Events

Submit your RSO event for the newsletters

If you are part of a recognized student organization and would like to promote an upcoming event, you can submit an item for consideration at news.wichita.edu and click “Submit an item.”

Please review the submission guidelines for RSO events.

A student visits a table with information on Wichita State during the first day of school

Make memories using ShockerSync

College is the perfect time to create long-lasting memories and friendships. Whether you’re into sports, arts, community service or something super niche, ShockerSync shows you student organizations that cater to all interests.

Find your community and check out all the upcoming events by visiting wichita.edu/shockersync.

Come learn the basics of Git and Github with Association for Computing Machinery

Come join Association for Computing Machinery from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room for a beginner-friendly, hands-on GitHub workshop taught by Cody Farlow, assistant educator and MS in computer science graduate coordinator.

This workshop is designed to be welcoming to students of all experience levels, especially those who are new to Git and GitHub. Learn the basics of version control, how to create and manage repositories, make commits, work with branches, push and pull changes, and collaborate with others on software projects. Farlow will walk through the fundamentals step-by-step and provide practical guidance you can use for class assignments, personal projects and future professional work.

No prior Git or GitHub experience is required. Students from any computing background are welcome. Bring your laptop and follow along. Snacks will be provided.

For more information, reach out to Keaton Stwalley at kcstwalley@shockers.wichita.edu.

RSVP to the workshop

On a black and gold background, the image reads "50th Anniversary Celebration. Oct 3, 6pm, RSC Ballroom. Tickets available at wichita.edu/lgbtq50."

Join celebration of 50 years of LGBTQ+ recognized student organizations on Oct. 3

Spectrum is celebrating 50 years of LGBTQ+ recognized student organizations at Wichita State at an event starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

The event will include a catered dinner, music, speakers, a silent auction, dancing and presentations about local LGBTQ+ history from Dr. Jenny Pearson, professor of sociology, Dr. Jay Price, professor of history, and Brent Kennedy, lecturer in anthropology.

Tickets are just $10 for students and $20 for faculty, staff and community members. Purchase tickets at wichita.edu/lgbtq50.