April 2025

Wichita Biomedical Campus rising as a new force in Kansas health care

If you’ve driven past Broadway and William in downtown Wichita lately, you’ve seen the skyline begin to change. Steel beams rise where soil and foundation work are prepared — tangible proof of the progress we’re making on the Wichita Biomedical Campus.

This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how we deliver health care education, research and workforce training in Kansas. Together with the University of Kansas, we’re building a collaborative space that brings together a community of health care researchers and educators under one roof to provide students with the highest quality and most immersive learning environment, one that mirrors real-world clinical settings and prepares graduates to meet the evolving needs of Kansas communities.

With Phase I expected to open in 2027, the campus will serve as a hub for hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and community-focused health care solutions. 

April's 'Forward Together' podcast is all about the Wichita Biomedical Campus

The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a cooperative effort among Wichita State, WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) and the University of Kansas to centralize health care education and research. Join Wichita State President Rick Muma when he sits down with WSU Tech President Sheree Utash and Greg Hand, dean of the WSU College of Health Professions, to talk about programs, collaborations, partnerships and progress of the Wichita Biomedical Campus.

Click above to watch the videos of the podcast. The podcast is also available on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts or Apple Podcasts (iTunes).

Wichita State names Dr. Sarah Beth Estes as new dean of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Wichita State has appointed Dr. Sarah Beth Estes as the new dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Estes brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to student and faculty success.

Estes joins WSU from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she served as dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education. During her tenure, she has led initiatives to enhance inclusive excellence, expand faculty research and align academic programs with workforce needs. Her leadership was instrumental in advancing student success and fostering a collaborative academic environment.

“I am honored to join the distinguished faculty, dedicated staff and innovative programs of Fairmount College,” Estes said. “The college’s long-standing tradition of excellence has been essential in shaping the future of Wichita State University and continues to be a driving force behind key initiatives, including the expansion of applied learning opportunities, the growth of the Innovation Campus and the Wichita Biomedical Campus, and the pursuit of R-1 status.”

Estes was selected after a nationwide search and extensive interview process. She will begin her tenure at Wichita State on July 6.

Spirit Squad competes at NCA/NDA Nationals, Shocker cheer finishes first

Shocker cheer and dance teams traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida, April 9-13 to participate in the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) and National Dance Alliance (NDA) National Championships.

The cheer team won the National Championship in Intermediate Large Coed Division I. In the preliminary round, the Shockers had a raw score of 87.8333 and an event score of 24.3357 with just 0.25 in deductions. In the final round, the Shockers scored 88.0667 for a total event score of 97.5371. WSU finished almost two points in front of second place VCU.

The dance team finished 11th overall in Pom Division I. In the preliminary round, the Shockers had an event score of 86.8286 to earn a trip to the finals. In the final round, the Shockers scored 86.4857.

Shocker women’s bowling competes in Final Four in first NCAA season

Shocker women’s bowling’s remarkable first NCAA season came to an end April 11 as the Shockers competed in the NCAA Championship.

The Shockers end their inaugural NCAA campaign with an 87-38 record, a conference championship and multiple CUSA All-American and NTCA All-American honorees.

Men’s bowling takes second at USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships

The Wichita State men’s bowling team took home another top three finish and championship appearance by placing second at the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) intercollegiate Team Championships in Las Vegas.

The finish marks the fifth year in a row that the team has finished in the top three in the championships.

Wichita State biology professor elected as prestigious AAAS Fellow

When the email notification popped up, Dr. Mary Liz Jameson, professor of biological sciences, thought there must have been a mistake. It must have been for someone else at the university or perhaps another Mary Liz at a different university.

Once the shock wore away, Jameson realized it was true: She had been elected to the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) Fellows, class of 2024, for her integrated work on entomology.

AAAS Fellows are elected for their accomplishments across multiple disciplines and fields in areas such as research and teaching. Among all the universities represented in the 2024 class, Wichita State University, an R2 institution, is surrounded by a sea of R1 institutions, as classified by the Carnegie classification.

“Typically, it’s only people in R1 institutions who get this award,” Jameson said. “We’re not an R1 institution — we’re an R2 institution — so people like at Harvard, University of Florida, Chicago, Rutgers and places like that get this award, not somebody from an R2 institution.”

Wichita State dedicates tree in honor of former dean of students, Dr. Rhatigan, in view of building namesake

The Shocker community gathered April 22 to remember Dr. Jim Rhatigan, Wichita State’s former dean of students, at a tree dedication ceremony just outside of the Rhatigan Student Center, named in Rhatigan’s honor.

At the ceremony, President Rick Muma spoke to Rhatigan’s lasting legacy to the campus and culture of WSU, and Rhatigan’s wife and daughter, Beverly and Becky, were present, and Rhatigan's son-in-law, Joe Linot, shared a few words.

"This is a beautiful occasion and we really really appreciate the dedication that Jim has given to the fabric of Wichita State University," Linot said. "It will always be a part of our lives as long as we live and we thank you so much for having us here today for this dedication."

Rhatigan came to Wichita State in 1965 as the university’s first, and one of the nation’s youngest at 30 years old, dean of students. He became vice president for student affairs in 1970, holding that position until 1996 and going on to serve as senior vice president until his retirement in 2002.

Featured student research

Wichita State University's research emphasis includes opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff, and extends across campus from aerospace to ancient civilizations and business administration to biochemistry.

Wichita State students learn varied skills as part of Athletics creatives team

Working a paid internship in Wichita State Athletics means working nights and weekends. The deadlines are constant – before a game, during a game and after a game.

WSU students are learning the importance of teamwork and communication in order to handle the pace and conditions as part of the athletic department’s creative team.

Knowing they are serving as a conduit from all 16 Shockers sports to their fans makes it a job they enjoy.

“There is always something happening with each sports team,” said sophomore Bryan Chavez, a journalism and media production major from Dallas. “We’re providing for fans, and they’re relying on us. That’s what makes it a fun job.”

Shocker golf teams see AAC All-Conference honors, runner-up in championship

The Shockers are wrapping up their spring seasons with solid performances from the tennis teams, women’s golf’s Kate Tilma finishing in the top 10 in the AAC Championship — a first since 2018 — men's golf's Jose Miguel Ramirez finishing as an individual runner-up in the AAC Championship and more:

• At 9 a.m. May 3, signage for Eck Stadium, Home of Tyler Field at Gene Stephenson Park will be unveiled at the official dedication ceremony outside the stadium. A social will also be held after the ceremony in the All-American Club. The stadium name was enhanced to honor Hall of Fame coach Gene Stephenson, who was the head coach at Wichita State from 1978-2013.
• Led by an incredible second-place finish by Jose Miguel Ramirez, the men’s golf team wrapped up its 2024-25 campaign with a ninth-place finish at the AAC Championship. Ramirez made a big mark in the Shocker record books with his score of 204 (-12). His score was the best by any Shocker at the AAC Championship since the team began competing in the AAC in 2018.
• Women’s golfer Kate Tilma earned AAC All-Conference honors after finishing seventh and scoring the best single round, 18-hole score in the AAC Championship. She is the second Shocker to finish in the top 10 at the conference meet, preceded by Taryn Torgerson’s championship in 2018.
• Baseball faces East Carolina for a weekend series at home in Eck Stadium starting at 6 p.m. Friday, May 2.
• Softball hosts Kansas for a game at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 at Wilkins Stadium. WSU defeated the Jayhawks 7-3 in March in Lawrence.
• Track and field is preparing for the AAC Outdoor Championships starting May 16 in Charlotte. Yared Kidane owns the AAC record in the 800 meters with a time of 1:46.73, 13th fastest in the nation this season. Kidane also is second in the AAC in the 1,500 with a time of 3:43.50 last week in the Oregon Team Invitational. Josh Parrish ranks first in in the AAC in the long jump (26-2 ¼) and 110-meter hurdles (13.50 seconds). Destiny Masters ranks seventh nationally and second in the AAC in the heptathlon with 5,715 points. Rikard Throgen-Hedin leads the ACC decathlon with 7,191 points.
• The Shocker tennis teams wrapped up solid seasons in the AAC Championships. The men’s team finished the spring 12-13, its most wins since 2022 and best win percentage since 2021. It also recorded its first win in the AAC Championship since 2021 and its first appearance in the ITA computer ranking, No. 75, since 2022. The women’s team went 13-10 with wins over three ranked opponents, in addition to Kansas State and Kentucky. WSU ended the season No. 63 in the ITA computer rankings after peaking at No. 47 for its highest ranking since 2019.

For updates on more athletics at Wichita State and to buy tickets, visit goshockers.com.

Meet the 2025-26 class of Shocker Pride Scholars

Since 1999, the Shocker Pride Scholarship has provided more than $700,000 to students at Wichita State, helping them to achieve their academic goals. In recent years, the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement has augmented the program to create professional development opportunities, including alumni mentoring and community experiences, in addition to financial support.



• Cohen Ayres
• Brayden Elmer
• Matthew Neelagandan
• Kaydence Bale
• Josh Mallard
• Seth Aistrup
• Lorena Favela
• Kiara Ochoa
• Alexis Corral
• Genesis Marriett
• Tiahna Padilla
• Kaylan Richardson
• Alaejah Robinson
• Lena Moore
• Meaghan Roths
• Melody Ukoefresco
• Alyssa Rutherford
• Kinslee Stokely
• Huy Tran
• Alexander Troth

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