February 2025

Remembering those lost in the DC plane crash

The crash of American Airlines 5342 has had a devastating and profound effect on many people and communities around the world. Here in Wichita – and at Wichita State University – it sadly hit too close to home as we have learned about individuals with ties to WSU who were on the flight to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29.

We deeply mourn their loss, along with those from Wichita and all involved in this tragic crash.

As we reflect on this tragedy, our hearts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those we lost. Their impact on Wichita State, our community and beyond will not be forgotten.

Episode 29: Meet Dr. Monica Lounsbery, WSU's new provost

Dr. Monica Lounsbery, Wichita State's new senior executive vice president and provost, brings with her a wealth of experience in higher education leadership. Learn more about Dr. Lounsbery, her early impressions of WSU and what she hopes to accomplish during her tenure.

Episode 30: Dr. Nick Solomey, physics and NASA research

President Rick Muma sits down with Dr. Nick Solomey, professor of physics at Wichita State, to discuss his innovative research efforts with NASA — including the development of a neutrino detector that will orbit the Earth — and the other projects the Department of Physics is engaged in.

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).

Join President Muma’s literacy fundraiser; donations to be presented at Feb. 27 men's basketball game

Join President Rick Muma and his team as they prepare future Shockers for a lifetime of success. The President’s Team is raising money for the United Way’s Champions for Literacy initiative, which puts books and supplies into the hands of USD 259 students.

The total amount raised will be presented at the Shocker men's basketball game Thursday, Feb. 27 at Charles Koch Arena against UAB. Donations can still be made following the game.

Reading helps children build cognitive skills, gain a deeper understanding of the world, improve their concentration and fuel their imagination. As an educational driver for the state of Kansas, Wichita State is committed to helping students of all ages achieve success and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Students not reading proficiently by the fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out, and illiteracy often continues into adulthood. Donations to the campaign stay local to the Shocker Neighborhood through United Way of the Plains to alleviate illiteracy in the community.

Wichita State University strengthens its community support with new Office of Community Partnerships

Seeing an opportunity to support partnerships with the Wichita community, Wichita State University has established the new Office of Community Partnerships.

Under the new office, the Community Engagement Institute (CEI) and Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC), alongside other WSU affiliates such as the Small Business Development Center, will seamlessly support collaborations between the university and community partners.

The creation of the office was a joint effort led by Dr. Scott Wituk, CEI executive director, and Misty Bruckner, PPMC director.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas gift $2.5 million to support Wichita Biomedical Campus, nursing scholarships

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) is investing $2.5 million in Wichita State University, with $1.8 million earmarked as the lead gift to the Wichita Biomedical Campus. The remaining $700,000 will create two endowed Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas nursing scholarships in the WSU College of Health Professions.

“Most of the biggest moments in our lives are tied to health care in some way,” said Matt All, president and CEO of BCBSKS. “The Wichita Biomedical Campus will help make those moments better for Kansans by training the health care workers of the future and empowering them with the best tools and research. We’re thrilled to be a part of making it happen.”

The $1.8 million gift will go toward the remaining $16 million project cost and will ensure that clinical space is included in the $222 million Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus construction. The inclusion of a clinic within the campus is an important element of providing applied learning for students while also increasing access to medical services.

Spring 2025 WSU campus expansion and renovation update

As we march through the spring semester, new and ongoing construction is under way across Wichita State’s 330 acres and beyond.

University Stadium Phase 1A

Construction is underway on Phase 1A on the east side of University Stadium (formerly Cessna Stadium). The first phase of construction includes bleacher seating, a pavilion building that will house ticketing, restrooms and concessions as well as a plaza and parking lot between the stadium and Devlin Hall.

Phase 1A completion is scheduled for May 2025 before KSHSAA Track and Field State Championship on May 30-31. Phase 1B will begin after KSHSAA Track and Field State Championship. Phase 1B will consist of widening the field and installing a nine-lane track.

Wilkins Stadium

Construction on the softball indoor practice facility next to Wilkins Stadium is under way. The steel structure is almost complete. The facility is scheduled to be complete in March 2025.

Wichita Biomedical Campus construction proceeds through inclement weather

Last year, Wichita State, the University of Kansas and WSU Tech broke ground on the site of Phase 1 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.

Despite inclement weather throughout much of 2025 so far, work has continued to progress smoothly. Concrete flooring has started being poured, and the site has started going vertical with storm shelters being erected. Traffic around the site has been adjusted to accommodate the construction, but the perimeter now features the first Wichita Biomedical Campus branding. Watch along with a live view of its construction 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.

Men’s basketball knocks down ranked Memphis, excitement builds for women’s tennis

Energy is in the air for the Shockers as teams hit their stride and teams start fresh seasons looking to be in the winning column. Read more about the latest from the Shockers:

• Men’s basketball defeated No. 14 Memphis 84-79 in overtime Feb. 16. It is WSU’s first win over a ranked opponent since a 2021 win over No. 6 Houston. Corey Washington’s 18 points and 15 rebounds earned him AAC player of the week honors. The Shockers play UAB Feb. 27 at Charles Koch Arena and close out their home schedule vs. Tulsa March 9.
• Women’s bowling is No. 6 in the NCAA’s power rankings. Two weeks ago, the team won the Mid-Winter Invitational championship in Jonesboro, Arkansas, after defeating No. 1 Nebraska, No. 2 Vanderbilt and No. 3 Jacksonville State.
• Baseball hosted the First Pitch Banquet, where WSU officially added "Gene Stephenson Park" to Eck Stadium at Tyler Field. Kevin Saal, director of athletics, also announced the naming of its new baseball performance facility after former pitching coach Brent Kemnitz. At the event, former Royal star Mike Sweeney, whose oldest son is joining the Shockers in 2026, spoke as the keynote speaker
• Baseball will open its home schedule Feb. 28 against Cal State Fullerton. The Titans are back on the schedule for the first time since 2016 and make their first appearance in Wichita since 2014.
• Weather adjusted the schedule for Shocker softball last week. The Shocker Invitational begins on Feb. 27 at Wilkins Stadium and some of the nation’s best teams are in the field. The Shockers play No. 14 Oklahoma State Feb. 27 and No. 22 Missouri Feb. 28. And on March 1, the Shockers play No. 16 Nebraska and South Dakota State.
• Track and field competes in the AAC Indoor Championship beginning Feb. 28 in Birmingham. One Shocker to watch is Yared Kidane, who ran a 1:48.20 in the 800 meters in mid-February. That is the second-fastest time in program history and leads the AAC.
• Women’s tennis is on a roll with wins over Kansas State, Oral Roberts and with a lively crowd against Kentucky. They will play road matches much of March before returning for a March 30 date with UTSA.

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

Three high school seniors selected as 2025 Harry Gore Memorial Scholarship recipients

Wichita State has selected the 2025 recipients of the Harry Gore Memorial Scholarships. Each student will receive a $64,000 scholarship to attend WSU in August 2025.

The 2025 Gore Scholars are:

• Beckett Sollars, Park Hill Senior High School (Missouri)
• Mei-Li Hunt, Wesclin Junior-Senior High School (Illinois)
• Aidan Thibodeau, Herington High School

Prairie View High student wins 2025 Lenora N. McGregor Scholarship

Grace Naylor, senior at Prairie View High School, is the winner of the 2025 Lenora N. McGregor Endowed Scholarship at Wichita State University.

The Lenora N. McGregor Endowed Scholarship awards up to $26,000 over four years to an incoming freshman student who has demonstrated academic excellence, has an academic vision for the future and who expresses an interest in advancing knowledge through individual learning. The McGregor Scholar agrees to maintain active membership in WSU’s Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College.

Outstanding Wichita State University faculty

Melissa Penkava-Koza leverages industry connections for students

“I’ve always known I would be an educator, but after connecting with my mentors in undergrad, it was clear that working in costuming would allow me to apply the skills I loved in a way that could be transformative to not only the performers, but the technicians and the industry at large.”

Dr. Moriah Beck empowers undergrads to conduct research

“Many count their publications or grant funds, but my most important career achievements are the 60-plus students that I have mentored in my research lab. Each individual requires my attention and time, but the reward of seeing their eyes light up when they encounter the joy in discovery is worth every minute.”

Dr. Darren DeFrain receives $150,000 funding for comic accessibility app

With comic books or graphic novels, stories aren’t always told in a linear format. There are visual clues as to where the readers’ eyes should go next. With Vizling, users can drag their fingers across a device and visualize which way the story is set up. They can also touch different areas of the screen to find out what's on the screen. 

Wichita State featured as the first Kansas college in ‘The College Tour’ Amazon Prime series

The production crew from “The College Tour,” an Amazon Prime original series, spent more than a week on campus to produce an episode dedicated to Shocker Nation, the first episode in Kansas.

“The College Tour” provides more than just a tour of our campus, the episode allows viewers to see and experience Wichita State through the eyes of our students, showcasing WSU’s student-centered, innovation-driven mindset.

The full hour-long episode, alongside the 20 individual segments, is available to watch and share now at wichita.edu/thecollegetour. The episode will premiere on Amazon Prime starting May 27.

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