Shocker Blast: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025

About Shocker Blast

Students jump in front of the Wichita State sign on 21st and Oliver

Shocker Blast: Your portal to campus

You’re reading Shocker Blast, Wichita State’s newsletter made just for students. Shocker Blast gives you regular updates about Shocker Nation every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, sent directly to your official student email.

We know no one likes to read emails — but there’s a lot of information in Shocker Blast that’s useful to you as a student, like all your Shocker resources, special deals on campus, events with your peers, important deadlines and more.

Stay tuned for the Aug. 18 edition for everything you need to know to start your semester off on the right foot. And keep an eye out for all of the Welcomefest events happening this semester.

For more information about Shocker Blast, reach out to Caelin Bragg, newsletter editor in the Office of Strategic Communications, at caelin.bragg@wichita.edu.

Welcomefest

The 11th Annual Clash of the Colleges will be on Friday, Aug. 22 at Eck Stadium at 7 p.m. RSVP for Clash at wichita.edu/clash.

RSVP for the 11th annual Clash of the Colleges

Get ready for the ultimate showdown. Clash of the Colleges is back, and this year its celebrating the 11th anniversary with a competition like never before.

Join Clash for a field day Friday, Aug. 22 in Eck Stadium filled with exciting team events, thrilling relay races, virtual challenges and more to see which college will reign supreme. Whether you come solo or with a group of friends, you’re in for an evening packed full with fun and unforgettable moments. Secure your spot now by placing your reservation.

Contact Kaelyn Hannah at kaelyn.hannah@wichita.edu for any questions.

All are welcome to the 2025 Belonging Bash Aug. 15

Kick off the year with Student Engagement & Belonging at the Belonging Bash from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15 on the east lawn of the Rhatigan Student Center. This high-energy event brings together students from all backgrounds to connect, celebrate and explore what it means to belong at Wichita State.

Enjoy food, music, games and get plugged into student organizations and campus resources that center identity, culture and community. All are welcome.

Belonging Bash is hosted by Student Engagement & Belonging. For more information about this event or other Student Engagement & Belonging programs, call 316-978-3022 or email seb@wichita.edu.

Don’t miss the fifth annual NXL LVL Garage Party Aug. 16

The 5th Annual NXT LVL Garage Party is back and bigger than ever. Get ready for an unforgettable night filled with delicious food, exciting games, live music and amazing prizes from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Rhatigan Student Center parking garage. Be sure to grab your exclusive NXT LVL shirt, available for free while supplies last.

This high-energy event is the perfect way to kick off the semester and connect with fellow Shockers. Admission is exclusive to Wichita State students. Note that no bags or outside food will be permitted; clear bags are accepted.

Come watch Pixar’s ‘Ratatouille’ at SAC’s Outdoor Movie Night Aug. 17

Come relax with friends before the start of the semester with Student Activities Council’s (SAC) Outdoor Movie Night, featuring “Ratatouille,” at 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17 at the Duerksen Amphitheatre. You can use the campus map at wichita.edu/map for directions. Be sure to bring a blanket, and SAC has the snacks covered.

Student Engagement & Belonging is hosting Meet the Greeks

Curious about Fraternity and Sorority Life at WSU? From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15 in the courtyard of Shocker Hall, come out to Meet the Greeks for your one-stop event to connect with all the fraternities and sororities on campus.

Whether you’re looking for leadership opportunities, community service, academic support or just a new group of friends who feel like family, this is your chance to explore what each organization has to offer. Mingle with members, hear about traditions and values, enjoy giveaways, games and refreshments, and ask questions to find your fit.

Meet the Greeks is open to all students: there is no pressure, just possibilities. The event is hosted by Student Engagement & Belonging. For more information call 316-978-3022 or email seb@wichita.edu.

News

Help make a difference and apply for the 2025-26 PASS mentors

Promoting Academic Student Success (PASS) is starting off another academic year and looking for first year students to join. In short, PASS includes paired mentorship with a returning student, bi-weekly workshops and quality social opportunities. This semester’s schedule will start Aug. 26 and will go through Nov. 11. Most programming will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on select Fridays, so mark your calendars. Mentoring is based on your personal availability if there are concerns with Friday conflicts, so you can still apply.

Fill out the application below to the fullest as this information will be used to pair you with your mentor as well as account for you in the program’s data. Email Mia Jefferson at mia.jefferson@wichita.edu for any questions. Applicants will be responded to after the application window closes Friday, Aug. 22 with further details on our first meetup and what to expect for your first semester.

Submit your application

2025 Kansas English published on WSU’s Open Journal Systems

The 2025 issue of Kansas English, the award-winning peer-reviewed journal of the Kansas Association of Teachers of English (KATE), is now available on WSU’s Open Journal Systems. Katie Cramer, professor of English education, has served as editor-in-chief of Kansas English since 2017 and collaborates with Susan Matveyeva, journal manager of University Libraries, to publish the journal each year.

Dr. Ahmed Al Rawe, Dr. Cheyanne Cornwell, Dr. Eric Nguyen and Dr. Monica Noh

Advanced Education in General Dentistry program welcomes new resident dentists

The Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program at Wichita State is proud to welcome four new resident dentists to the 2025-26 class: Dr. Ahmed Al Rawe, Dr. Cheyanne Cornwell, Dr. Eric Nguyen and Dr. Monica Noh.

The AEGD program is a one-year dental residency program that provides dentists with advanced comprehensive clinical experience. It is the only dentistry education training in Kansas.

The dentists practice at WSU General Dentistry, located at the corner of 29th and Oliver St. The clinic provides a full range of services including cleanings, whitening, fillings and implants, along with in-house specialists for periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, and prosthetics.

WSU General Dentistry is open to the public and currently accepting new patients. WSU students and their spouses and children are eligible for the Student Dental Discount program. Learn more at wichita.edu/WSUdentalclinic.

WSU Board of Trustees approves feasibility study for dental school in partnership with FHSU

The Wichita State University Board of Trustees has approved up to $750,000 to fund a comprehensive feasibility study exploring the creation of Kansas’ first dental school. This is inclusive of support from Fort Hays State University, a partner in the project, which aims to address the state’s shortage of dentists, particularly in rural communities.

The study, to be completed by fall 2026, will evaluate the scope, scale and structure of a potential dental school based in Wichita, with a presence in rural Kansas through Fort Hays State. Key areas of focus include cohort size, faculty and staff needs, accreditation requirements, facility planning and potential partnerships with Federally Qualified Health Centers to expand clinical access.