Wichita State University

December 2024

Ways we moved forward together in 2024

This year has been one of progress and partnership at Wichita State. From exciting campus developments to groundbreaking research and championship celebrations, 2024 showcased the many ways our community continues to move forward together.


January


  • We set the tone for the year with a big reveal, when the community got its first look at the renderings for the Wichita Biomedical Campus, a transformative project poised to reshape health education in Kansas.
  • Kim Moore – Wichita State’s executive director of Workforce, Professional, and Community Education – was named to the board of directors for 1EdTech. Moore has been at the forefront of Wichita State’s efforts to lead in micro-credentialing, helping to expand opportunities for students and professionals to gain valuable, industry-recognized skills.


February


  • The Barton School launched its new hospitality management major, equipping students for leadership in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. The program was developed in response to growing local and national employment needs in the industry.
  • Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement welcomed Telly McGaha as its new CEO and president. McGaha took the reins of WSFAE after our beloved Dr. Elizabeth King, retired after serving the university for 33 years. 


Read more of Dr. Muma's message

Forward Together Podcast

December's 'Forward Together' podcast features Scott Wituk with the Community Engagement Institute

The Community Engagement Institute at Wichita State University recently celebrated its 40-year anniversary. President Rick Muma talks with its director, Scott Wituk, about how CEI collaborates with partners to facilitate learning, develop innovative solutions and build capacity to create real change.


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

Watch, listen and subscribe to the podcast
In the News at Wichita State

Wichita State breaks the top 10 in NSF’s engineering R&D rankings; No. 1 for aerospace R&D expenditures

For the first time, Wichita State University has entered the top 10 in the country in engineering research and development (R&D) expenditures, according to data announced this week by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development Survey.


Wichita State is also ranked No. 1 for aerospace engineering R&D expenditures for the first time in its history.


For fiscal year 2023, Wichita State’s total of $327 million from all funding sources for aerospace ranks ahead of Georgia Institute of Technology ($294 million), Utah State University ($271 million), Johns Hopkins University ($196 million) and the University of Colorado ($90 million).


These rankings put Wichita State among other prestigious engineering universities such as the Georgia Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Texas at Austin, Purdue and Stanford.

Read more about what these rankings mean

Wichita State to help modernize and replace USAF’s Nightwatch presidential emergency command center aircraft fleet

As part of the U.S. Air Force’s Survivable Airborne Operations Center contract, Wichita State University is partnering with SNC to modernize and deliver a new fleet of Nightwatch aircraft — the airborne command center for the president of the United States, secretary of defense, and chairs of the joint chiefs of staff, ensuring continued critical command, control and communication during national emergencies.


It is a critical program that will ensure that the United States is adequately prepared for unfaltering communication during a national emergency.


The contract between WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and SNC, a global aerospace and national security company, is the most significant industry contract in the history of the university.


Approximately 400 Wichita State students and staff are expected to work on this project, which will be conducted at NIAR’s Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility and the Partnership 2 building on WSU’s Innovation Campus.

Read more about the partnership

Meet WSU's fall 2024 graduating class of Shockers

More than 1,200 Shockers were eligible for graduation in fall 2024. As they graduate from Wichita State University, they will share the story of Shocker Nation through their work.


Learn more about some of the graduates and their time at Wichita State and what they are looking forward to in their futures.

Read more about our fall 2024 graduates

Save the date for the Barton Speaker Series with Ben Stein

The Wichita State University Craig W. Barton Speaker Series cordially invites you to save the date for an evening with Ben Stein, economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center.


Ticket reservations will be available on Jan. 21.


The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

Learn more about the Barton Speaker Series

Wichita Biomedical Campus begins taking shape as concrete pour continues

Earlier this year, Wichita State, the University of Kansas and WSU Tech broke ground on the site of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, a $300 million, 471,000-square-foot joint health sciences center, located at the southeast corner of Broadway and William. Since then, construction on Phase 1 has been progressing smoothly.


Workers recently poured the largest amount of concrete to date on the site, 395 cubic yards, equivalent to about 40 trucks worth of concrete. Additionally, underground data and electrical conduit is being installed on the site. A live view of its construction can be found online.


The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a joint project between Wichita State and the University of Kansas. Once complete, the campus will combine WSU’s College of Health Professions programs, including the Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, WSU Tech’s health care program and the Wichita campuses of KU School of Medicine and KU School of Pharmacy.

Learn more about the Wichita Biomedical Campus

Shockers promise to have explosive spring semester as baseball and softball seasons start

Men’s and women’s basketball are preparing for AAC play after starting their seasons earlier this semester, and Shocker baseball and softball will soon hit the field in February 2025.


  • Men's basketball: Wichita State hosts Kansas State at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 (ESPN+). It is Kansas State’s first appearance at Charles Koch Arena since 2002.
  • Women's basketball: The Shockers open American Athletic Conference play at 1 p.m. Dec. 29, facing North Texas. The Mean Green shared the AAC title last season.
  • Volleyball: Wichita State returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017 after winning the AAC Championship by sweeping Tulsa, top-seeded USF and Florida Atlantic. SMU ended WSU’s season with a sweep in Dallas.
  • Baseball: The Shockers open their second season under coach Brian Green with a series at McNeese State Feb. 14. The home schedule starts with a series against Cal State Fullerton Feb. 28.
  • Softball: WSU travels to the GCU Kickoff Classic in Phoenix, Arizona to start the season. The Shockers open against Northern Illinois and Grand Canyon Feb. 7. The Shocker Invitational brings Oklahoma State, Missouri, South Dakota State and Nebraska to Wilkins Stadium beginning Feb. 27.
  • Women's bowling: WSU is ranked No. 7 nationally after completing the fall portion of its schedule. The Shockers return to the lane Jan. 17-19 in the Northeast Classic in New Castle, Delaware.


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

Wichita State launches Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine and Assistive Technology

Wichita State University has launched the Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine and Assistive Technology (IRMAT), an innovative collaboration focused on addressing disease and disability through applied research and technology. IRMAT will serve as a hub for cutting-edge, patient-driven research and development of transformative technologies to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.


The groundbreaking collaboration brings together Wichita State’s College of Health Professions, College of Engineering, and Industry and Defense Programs, along with inaugural clinical partners Ascension Via Christi’s Rehabilitation Hospital, Heartspring’s Outpatient Services and the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, to accelerate scientific advancements and develop assistive technologies.


The institute will also conduct clinical trials of new devices and interventions, ensuring that Kansans gain quicker access to revolutionary health care solutions. This pioneering collaboration represents a significant advancement in WSU’s commitment to addressing disease and disability through applied research and technology.

Read more about the new institute

Campus offices recognized for their dedication to Wichita State with Rick Rewards

Every month, President Rick Muma shows his appreciation for the efforts of the campus community with Rick Rewards.


Teams and departments from across campus were celebrated for their work in making Wichita State a better place for all students, faculty and staff:


  • The Division of Finance and Administration was recognized in August for its work in supporting the university's priorities, and President Muma thanked former vice president for finance and administration, Werner Golling, for his service to the university.
  • President Muma visited Shocker Sound Machine in Charles Koch Arena in September to recognize the group for helping charge up the crowds at home athletics games and for showcasing Shocker pride at its shows for the community.
  • Staff in the Office of Financial Aid were recognized in October for championing WSU's priority of access and affordability, including assisting Shockers through the new FAFSA process that was introduced for the 2024-25 school year.
  • Wichita State Esports had a busy year in 2024, including hosting an esports tournament that brought nearly 200 competitors to WSU's campus and welcoming middle and high school students to its second annual summer camp. President Muma recognized the team in November for these contributions and the top finishes its team has made over the past few years.
  • Finally, the Office of the Provost was visited by President Muma and WuShock in December to wish Dr. Shirley Lefever, executive vice president and provost, a happy and restful retirement and to thank her and the rest of her team for helping students thrive at Wichita State.

Wichita State hosts annual service recognition, Bender of Twigs ceremonies in Beggs Ballroom

Earlier this semester, Wichita State recognized faculty and staff who have reached milestones of service to the university.


Employees who celebrated five, 10, 15 and 20 years of service were recognized Nov. 13; and on Nov. 14, employees celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years of service to the State of Kansas, Bender of Twigs recipients, and retirees were honored.


Wichita State thanks all the honorees for their service to the university. This year, over 350 individuals were recognized for their milestones.

Learn more about the service recognition

Stay in touch with President Muma

FEATURED SOCIAL MEDIA POST

Dec. 2:

Today we celebrated great progress on the construction of the Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Research (HAMR), part of Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research. Looking forward to seeing this project continue to take shape!

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About Wichita State University


Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the United States and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

 

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.

 

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing more than 120 acres, and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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