Shocker Blast: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Parking and Traffic

Lots 9W and 9E along 17th Street to be closed July 19

Lots 9W and 9E, the parking lots along 17th Street near Ahlberg Hall and Elliott Hall, will be closed Saturday, July 19 for orientation.

ADA stalls are not subject to lot closures and proper use is permitted during this time. Green lots are open for the summer, all other lots are still enforced.

Lot 17 closing for demolition of Brennan Halls I, II and III

Lot 17, west of Brennan Hall I, will permanently close on Monday, July 21 due to building demolition. All vehicles must be removed prior to July 21. Questions on the demolition can be directed to Facilities Planning.

As a reminder, all green student lots are open and free for parking in the summer. All other lots are still subject to enforcement.

Commencement / Degree Information

Summer 2025 diploma information available

Summer 2025 graduates can find information regarding their diplomas on the Registrar’s Office webpage (wichita.edu/diplomas).

The deadline to submit a name change for summer diplomas is the last day of classes, July 25.
Diploma distribution for the summer 2025 semester begins Sept. 8. Diplomas can be picked up at the transcript window on the first floor of Jardine Hall; graduates must show identification.
Graduates can request to have the diploma mailed to them (and pay mailing costs) through myWSU under the myClasses tab, clicking “Graduation Links” and “Request for Diploma Mailing.”
Undergraduate students who wish to take courses after graduation must reactivate their record after receiving their diploma.

Shocker Athletics

TBT is Coming Back to Wichita July 18 - 23 | Secure Your Seat

WSU basketball alumni team, AfterShocks, tip-off at TBT this Friday

The Basketball Tournament (TBT) returns to Charles Koch Arena Friday, July 18. The AfterShocks — led by former Shockers Conner Frankamp, Markis McDuffie, Trey Wade and Rashard Kelly — are poised for another run at the $1 million prize.

Their journey begins with a first round matchup against number seven No Excuses at 8 p.m. July 18 in Charles Koch Arena. With a win, they would advance to the second round at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 20.

They need the help of Shocker Nation to secure homecourt advantage throughout the tournament to boost their chances of winning the $1 million prize. Secure your seats at goshockers.com/TBTTix to help the team be one of the first to sell 4,000 tickets to lock in homecourt advantage.

Applied Learning

Janett Lerma-Reyes operates equipment during her summer internship at Shuttlewagon in Kansas City

Mechanical engineering student finds confidence, community with internship at Shuttlewagon

For Wichitan Janett Lerma-Reyes, a paid summer internship at Shuttlewagon has sharpened her technical skills and confirmed that she belongs in the world of manufacturing.

The mechanical engineering sophomore at Wichita State University is spending 10 weeks as an operations intern at Shuttlewagon, a company based in Kansas City that designs and builds railcar movers, which are powerful vehicles used to move train cars in railyards, ports and industrial facilities.

Getting paid during her internship has allowed her the ability to feel financially stable and maintain a work-life balance.

Welcomefest

Submit your events for inclusion in Welcomefest

Welcomefest is the official welcome campaign for new and returning Shockers and features events, activities and services designed to help everyone have a successful transition to life at Wichita State. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include the NXT LVL Garage Party, Clash of the Colleges, Involvement Fair and much more.

Hosted by various student groups and campus departments, most events are free and give all students a chance to get acquainted with each other, learn their way around campus and find ways to connect with the community.

Want your event featured in the Welcomefest lineup? Submit it by Wednesday, July 23 at wichita.edu/welcomefest.

News

College of Health Professions welcomes new chair for Department of Dental Hygiene

The College of Health Professions is proud to welcome Carly Havner as the new chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene, effective July 7. Havner comes to Wichita State from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, where she served as manager of faculty development. She brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously worked as a practicing dental hygienist and held multiple faculty positions in dental hygiene education.

Havner succeeds Lisa Belt, who has chaired the department for the past seven years. Belt, who began her tenure at WSU in 2004, has also served as a clinical adjunct faculty, teaching professor and director of the degree completion program. Belt will return to her role as a faculty member, and the college extends its sincere gratitude for her dedicated service and leadership.

Textron Aviation executive Maggie Topping named Executive-in-Residence at the Barton School

The Barton School of Business is thrilled to announce Maggie Topping as its fall 2025 Executive-in-Residence. Topping, senior vice president, Human Resources & Communications at Textron Aviation, will bring her extensive expertise to enrich the school’s academic and professional environment.

As Executive-in-Residence, Topping will participate in mentoring sessions, deliver guest lectures and collaborate with Barton School leadership on program and curriculum innovations. She will also lead a keynote fireside chat titled “Driving Innovation Forward: Textron Aviation’s Balanced Approach to AI, Talent, and the Transformation of Work” alongside Luke Pankey, chief information officer at Textron Aviation. The keynote will take place at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 7 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Boettger Auditorium. RSVP at wichita.edu/executive-in-residence-keynote. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 9 a.m.

Training Opportunities and Workshops

Math workshop on geometric analysis will take place from July 16 to 18

The Kansas Geometric Analysis Workshop will take place from July 16 to 18 in 335 Jabara Hall. The workshop features 10 experts, including Pierre Albin (UIUC), Xiaodong Cao (Cornell), Eric Chen (UIUC), Luca Fabrizio Di Cerbo (U Florida), Brett Kotschwar (Arizona State), Claude LeBrun (Stony Brook), Yueh-Ju Lin (Wichita State), Lei Ni (UCSD & Zhejiang Normal U), Sean Paul (U Wisconsin-Madison) and Yuanqi Wang (KU).

The event, supported by the National Science Foundation and the Simons Foundation, is organized by Thalia Jeffres, associate professor, and Xiaolong Li, assistant professor, both in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics.

Naloxone Administation Training on July 21st, from 11am to 1pm in RSC room 238. Graphic shows a first aid kit with Naloxone being added to its contents.

Naloxone administration training available July 21 – Sign up now

Health, Outreach, Prevention and Education (HOPE) Services is presenting DCCCA’s one-hour naloxone administration course from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, July 21 in 203 Rhatigan Student Center, Lancelot Room, to the WSU community to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and respond to an overdose crisis using naloxone and other available resources.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids.

Students can sign up for trainings on the website, and staff/faculty can register via myTraining in their myWSU.