November 2025

‘Forward Together’ podcast amplifies the many voices of Shocker Nation

Storytelling is one of the best ways to understand the heart of Wichita State, and our “Forward Together” podcast has become a steady source of those stories. I’ve really enjoyed making the podcasts, chatting with members of our campus community and partners, and talking about the topics that really matter to Shocker Nation.

Since launching in December 2021, the podcast has grown into a front-row seat to the ideas, people and partnerships shaping Shocker Nation’s future. We’ve now released 38 episodes, each one offering a glimpse into the momentum carrying our university forward.

A few highlights stand out:

• By far, our most popular and most talked-about episode has been with Jonna Mendez, former CIA chief of disguise. Her path from Wichita State to the highest levels of intelligence work is a reminder of how far curiosity and grit can take our students.
• We had a lot of fun when Drs. Rocio Del Águila and Enrique Navarro, both Wichita State faculty members, brought food to the podcast studio for me to try as we celebrated “LatinX Food and Culture in Wichita.”
• One of our most meaningful episodes features the GoBabyGo team, whose work adapting ride-on toy cars for children with disabilities gives families more than mobility. It gives them freedom, connection and a reminder that innovation is at its best when it lifts people up.
• Our conversation with Justin Rorabaugh, director of the School of Digital Arts (SODA), dives into how the rapidly growing SODA program and Shocker Studios are equipping students with cutting-edge creative tools and immersive, hands-on learning experiences.
• In a meaningful episode with Dr. Nick Solomey, we explore our NASA-linked physics research — including developing a neutrino detector — and what it means for student engagement and global scientific reach at Wichita State.

Episode 38 features Grammy-winning alum Joyce DiDonato

Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato has performed on some of the world’s most renowned stages, including La Scala in Italy, the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Royal Opera House in London. But before her 24-carat gold voice stole the hearts of audiences across the globe, she was a Shocker. Listen as Joyce chats with Wichita State President Rick Muma on the “Forward Together” podcast.

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

WSU’s Corbin Education Center joins National Register of Historic Places

Wichita State University’s Corbin Education Center, designed by the world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, a distinction reserved for America’s most significant architectural and cultural landmarks.

Dedicated in 1964 and named for former University of Wichita President Harry F. Corbin, the building embodies Wright’s creative genius and his philosophy of blending architecture with nature.

Today, Corbin is the home of Wichita State’s College of Applied Studies, classroom space and advising offices.

“Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places is an acknowledgment that this building is a vital piece of our cultural and educational heritage,” said Emily Patterson, Wichita State’s executive director of facilities planning. “As one of only two Wright-designed structures in Kansas, Corbin deserves to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who helped make that happen, particularly Friends of Corbin, Craig Rhodes and Jay Price. Their passion and persistence made this possible.” 

ATF’s Wichita field office will relocate to WSU’s Innovation Campus

The Innovation Campus at Wichita State University continues to grow with the addition of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Wichita field office in Partnership Building 11. The relocation was announced at an event on Nov. 14 on campus with WSU, federal, state and local leaders, including Sen. Jerry Moran.

The field office will become the third building and operational space for the ATF on campus and further integrate the WSU School of Criminal Justice into the Innovation Campus ecosystem. This strategic co-location strengthens WSU’s nationally recognized applied learning model by embedding federal, state and local law-enforcement partners directly within the university’s interdisciplinary environment — creating expanded pathways for internships, case-based learning, collaborative research, laboratory engagement and hands-on investigative experience for students.

The addition of the field office further aligns with WSU initiatives to advance crime-gun-intelligence capabilities, enhance interagency collaboration and grow the criminal justice and forensic science talent pipeline for agencies regionally and across the nation.

Growing the relationship with the ATF means more opportunities for WSU students to learn from federal law enforcement professionals, contribute to meaningful work and discover career pathways. At the same time, the region gains talent, and our partners gain the workforce they need.

The ATF’s presence on campus strengthens our mission as a public research university and supports the safety and security of our community, our state and our nation.

Shocker Athletics announces retirement of longtime radio voice Mike Kennedy

Shocker Athletics announced that Mike Kennedy, the legendary play-by-play Voice of the Shockers, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, marking the close of a historic 46-year broadcasting career with the program.

Kennedy began calling Shocker men's basketball full time during the storied 1980-81 Elite Eight season and has since become one of the most enduring and respected voices in college athletics. On Nov. 17, 2023, he reached a remarkable milestone, calling his 1,400th consecutive Wichita State men's basketball game — a streak that stands as one of the longest in the nation.

"This has not been an easy decision, as you can imagine, but after a great deal of thought and consideration, I know in my heart, it's the right time to take this step," Kennedy said.

Kennedy made an appearance on “The Roundhouse” podcast with Paul Suellentrop, senior communicator at WSU and Shocker Athletics, to discuss more about his decision to retire, look back at his career and remember some of his favorite moments.

Wichita State will celebrate Kennedy's career during the upcoming season, with additional recognition plans to be announced.

Construction progresses on Wichita Biomedical Campus as walls begin to enclose the interior

Construction on Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus continues as more exterior walls, and the roofs of the pavilion and penthouse, begin getting installed, rapidly approaching a completely enclosed interior.

Follow along with the construction and watch more exterior walls go up by watching the continuous livestream of the construction site online.

Phase 1 of the location is a $222 million, 350,000-square-foot joint health sciences center, in downtown Wichita. Once complete, the Wichita Biomedical Campus will combine WSU’s College of Health Professions programs, WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology’s (WSU Tech) health care program, and the Wichita campuses of KU School of Medicine and KU School of Pharmacy.

Scholars Walk on Wichita State's campus celebrates faculty excellence

The new Scholars Walk on campus, located between the Plaza of Heroines and Heskett Center, celebrates faculty excellence in research and classroom accomplishments.

The Scholars Walk is a series of banners that highlight faculty from Wichita State University's academic colleges, including:

• Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• College of Engineering
• W. Frank Barton School of Business
• College of Health Professions
• College of Applied Studies
• College of Fine Arts
• WSU Libraries

Each banner includes a QR code that links to a short biography of each faculty member and additional information on their scholarly work.

University deans, led by Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost, held a ribbon cutting for the new addition to campus Nov. 18.

Kipruto wins American Conference cross-country championship, Jepkoech named Freshman of the Year

Wichita State’s Elkana Kipruto claimed the American Conference men’s individual cross-country title, and Mercy Jepkoech was named the American Conference Women’s Freshman of the Year, at the American Conference Championships on Nov. 1 at Frank Liske Park in Concord, North Carolina.

The Shocker men finished third, and the Shocker women took fifth of the women’s team championship. The Shockers placed five runners on the all-conference team and two on the all-freshman team.

Kipruto defeated the No. 5-ranked runner in the NCAA, Tulane’s Bernard Cheruiyot, to claim Wichita State’s first-ever American Conference men’s crown, running 23:16.6 in the 8K race.

Men's basketball starts season strong, gears up for Battle 4 Atlantis

Shocker men’s basketball returns to one of the nation’s top Thanksgiving tournaments when it travels to the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. The Shockers open against St. Mary’s at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 (ESPN2). They will play either Colorado State or Virginia Tech Thursday, Nov. 27. It is Wichita State’s second trip to Battle 4 Atlantis.

More athletics news:

• Shocker women’s basketball plays in the ZotGiving Classic in Irvine, California. WSU opens against host UC Irvine at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 (ESPN+). The team plays Idaho at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29.
• Shocker track and field is preparing for its indoor season. The Shocker Multi (pentathlon/heptathlon) is Dec. 3-4 at the Heskett Center, followed by the annual Intrasquad Meet on Dec 5. The Shockers open the season in the Thane Baker Invitational on Jan. 16 at Kansas State.

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

EPA awards boost support for rural water and wastewater systems through Environmental Finance Center

The Environmental Finance Center at Wichita State University and its partners at The Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN) are proud to announce two new cooperative agreements awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

These awards, totaling $17.74 million, will usher in a new wave of support for small, rural and tribal communities working to improve their drinking water and wastewater systems across all 50 U.S. states and territories.

“One-on-one work with small water and wastewater utilities is some of the most meaningful work we do. Our team regularly sees communities take long-awaited steps toward their planning, financial, compliance, or infrastructure goals after we spend dedicated time working with them on their unique challenges,” said Tonya Bronleewe, director of the Environmental Finance Center at WSU.

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