WSU Today: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Fall Address

RSVP for the 2025 President’s Fall Address: ‘Telling Our Story’

The 2025 Fall Address for will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Doors will open at 2 p.m.

Join President Rick Muma and guest speakers Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost; Kevin Saal, director of athletics; Jen Friend, dean of the College of Applied Studies; Ashlie Jack, senior associate vice president for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Enrollment Management; Chris Stone, Faculty Senate president and chair/clinical associate professor, Department of Management; and Jacob Mendez, assistant dean for Student Success in the College of Engineering; as they outline key focus areas for the coming year.

Following the address, refreshments will be available at 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom. Refer to the faculty/staff parking map for nearby lots.

RSVP by Friday, Aug. 8

Featured Stories

A Wichita State University student conducts materials research for steel at the National Institute for Aviation Research.

Wichita State University named the latest partner in NSF-I Corps Hub

Wichita State University was recently named a partner in a $14 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to join the NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Great Plains Hub.

The I-Corps program prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the laboratory to increase the economic and societal impact of NSF-funded and other basic research projects. The first Wichita State cohort will begin Sept. 15.

“This partnership gives students, faculty, staff and the Wichita community at large the opportunity to explore their idea more practically and learn how to talk to potential customers,” said Sherry (Gegen) Whitson, program director for WSU Strategic Initiatives. “I believe it will help build on our innovation ecosystem.”

Parking and Traffic

Lot 20 by Wilner Auditorium to be closed July 16

Lot 20, the parking lot west of Wilner Auditorium, will be closed Wednesday, July 16 for an event. Faculty and staff that typically park in this lot will need to park in other yellow lots in the area.

Red reserved and ADA stalls are not subject to lot closures and proper use is permitted during this time.

Lot 41 by Woolsey Hall to be closed July 15-17

Lot 41, the parking lot near Woolsey Hall, will be closed July 15-17 for events in the building. Faculty and staff who typically park in this lot will need to park in other yellow lots in the area of the building. The YMCA lot is not available for faculty, staff or event guest parking and could result in a citation.

The purpose of lot reservations is to help accommodate large groups of guests visiting campus for events or the event itself. Lot reservations are not to be used for WSU affiliates. Remember, visitors to campus can park without an ePermit up to three times each semester.

Red reserved and ADA stalls are not subject to lot closures, and proper use is permitted during this time.

Events and Recreation

Join the WSU Faculty/Staff Olympics Aug. 7

Get ready for an action-packed event at the WSU Faculty/Staff Olympics. Call your team together now for an exciting competition for all ages and athletic ability levels. Starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 7 at the Ablah Library. There will be snacks and prizes.

Activities include: Bowling, darts, javelin, relay and trivia.

Sign up your team of four, or sign up as an individual and you will be added to a team. Only 20 teams can be accommodated, so sign up sooner rather than later. The deadline to register your team is by 5 p.m. Aug. 1.

All WSU employees, including student employees, are welcome to participate.

Reach out to Tate Penner at tate.penner@wichita.edu or Jamie Ford-Keiter at jamie.ford-keiter@wichita.edu for any questions.

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.

News

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.

Physician associate faculty member appointed as AAPA liaison to American Medical Association

Dr. Stephen Lewia, assistant professor and director of Clinical Education for the Physician Associate (PA) program, has been appointed as the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) liaison to the American Medical Association (AMA), one of the largest organizations representing physicians in the United States. In this role, he will advocate for PAs and their patients while working to strengthen relationships with physician colleagues. Having PAs represented within the AMA helps ensure that policies and discussions reflect the realities of team-based care and the essential role PAs play in meeting patient needs.

Dr. Lewia brings years of national leadership experience, having served as director at Large on the AAPA Board of Directors and as chair of AAPA’s Government Relations and Practice Advancement Commission. Drawing on this experience and his strong commitment to advancing the PA profession, Dr. Lewia aims to foster understanding, build collaborative partnerships, and help shape the profession’s future. This appointment is for a two-year term, with the possibility of extension to four years.

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.