October 2026

Wichita State is opening more doors for more students

For many students and families, the biggest question about college isn't where they want to go or what they want to study. It's whether they can afford to attend.

At Wichita State, our priority of access and affordability is a steadfast commitment that shapes the decisions we make every single day. That's why expanding scholarship opportunities remains one of the most important investments we can make in the next generation of Shockers.

Through the Distinguished Scholarship Invitational, the Allen, Gibbs & Houlik Scholarship Competition, and the Wallace Invitational for Scholarships in Engineering, Wichita State awards significant scholarship support to outstanding students from a wide range of academic interests and backgrounds. Together, these competitions help make a Wichita State education more accessible while recognizing student achievement and potential.

This year, Wichita State added $218,000 in new scholarship funding for students in the class of 2027. Combined with existing awards, the Distinguished Scholarship Invitational and related competitions will award over $1.5 million in scholarships to incoming freshmen. It's a significant investment in the next generation of Shockers and a reflection of the confidence our donors have in Wichita State students.

President Muma discusses Wichita State, his history on podcasts

President Rick Muma sat down with the "Built to Deliver" podcast, hosted by Alan Furth and Antonio Corrales, and "The Front Lines of Leadership: Stories to Inspire the Rising Generation of Leaders" podcast, hosted by Jackson Taylor, to discuss his leadership and his path to becoming Wichita State's 15th president.

"The Front Lines of Leadership: Stories to Inspire the Rising Generation of Leaders" episode, Prescription for Leadership: From PA to President, is available on Apple Podcasts.

The "Built to Deliver" episode, Skills Over Pedigree: How Wichita State Redefines Higher Education Execution, is available to watch on Substack.

Episode 46: Dr. Jamarco Clark, VP for Student Affairs

President Rick Muma sits down with Dr. Jamarco Clark, Wichita State's vice president for Student Affairs, to discuss leadership, innovation and creating a student experience that helps every Shocker thrive. "I see myself as someone who wants to do student affairs differently. I want to be an animator in it. What better place to do that than at Wichita State?"

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

Wichita State names new facility: Regine Feilmeier Tennis Complex

Wichita State University has announced that its new tennis facility will be named the Regine Feilmeier Tennis Complex, recognizing Regine and the Feilmeier family's longstanding commitment to Shocker tennis and their continued investment in Wichita State's future.

WSU and Family Destination Development have officially broken ground on the complex, which will become the future home of Shocker tennis and a premier destination for collegiate, amateur and community tennis events.

“Wichita State has always held a special place in our hearts because of its commitment to students and its continued impact on the Wichita community,” said Regine Feilmeier. “Tennis has been a passion of ours for many years, and we have seen firsthand how it teaches discipline, teamwork and confidence. It is incredibly meaningful to be associated with a project that will create opportunities for student-athletes to grow both on and off the court while also serving as a place where families, fans and community members can come together around a shared love of the game.”

Shockers win multiple American tennis championships

Shocker tennis earned two championships at the American Conference Individual Singles and Doubles Championships Oct. 25 in Houston.

WSU’s Xin Tong Wang entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed and won the women's singles title with a 6-2, 6-1 win over No. 2 seed Uma Bakaityte of Rice University.

On the men’s side, Wichita State’s Pablo Roche Alcaya and Rodrigo Cruz defeated University of Tulsa’s Victor Tosetto and Otso Martikainen, 6-4, 7-6 (1) to win the doubles title.

By winning the titles, the three Shockers advance to the ITA Conference Masters Championships, scheduled for Nov. 5-8 at the Rome Tennis Center in Rome, Georgia.

The top four singles players earn spots in the NCAA Individual Championship. Each conference sends one doubles team per gender, and the top two finalists (champion and runner-up) advance to the NCAA Doubles Championship. Both are decided Nov. 17-22 in Athens, Georgia.

Wichita State named 2026 APLU award finalist

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has named Wichita State University as a finalist for its 14th annual Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) Awards. The awards recognize innovative projects or programs in economic engagement.

"At Wichita State, we measure success by the opportunities we create for others," said Wichita State President Rick Muma. "Through applied learning opportunities and industry partnerships, we're helping students build meaningful careers and strengthening communities across Kansas. We're honored to see that commitment recognized by APLU."

The winners will be announced during the association’s annual meeting in November. Wichita State and the other finalists – East Carolina University, Oregon State University, University of Pittsburgh, Texas A&M University, Wayne State University and West Virginia University – are competing for four awards that recognize exemplary and innovative case studies of economic engagement impact.

Wichita Biomedical Campus construction moves closer to completion

Work on the Wichita Biomedical Campus℠ continues to advance toward completion. Recent milestones:

• First-floor ceilings, glass and terrazzo flooring
• Seventh-floor casework, lighting and other finishes
• New sidewalks along the building’s south side
• Finish work being completed in the clinic area

Follow along with the construction of the historic investment in Wichita and Kansas 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's Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) healthcare programs, and the Wichita campuses of KU School of Medicine and KU School of Pharmacy.

Founders Day generates more than $1.28 million for Wichita State students and programs

Shocker Nation showed up in a big way for Founders Day 2026.

During Wichita State University’s annual 24-hour day of giving, 1,465+ donors contributed $1,286,000+ to support 240+ funds across campus. Because of the record number of gifts received, final totals remain subject to change as mail-in gifts continue to be processed.

“This year’s Founders Day was extraordinary,” said Telly McGaha, WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement president and CEO. “The generosity of Shocker Nation continues to inspire us. Every gift reflects a commitment to our students’ success and our belief in Wichita State’s future. We are grateful to everyone who came together to make this day such a remarkable success.”

Scholars Walk on Wichita State's campus celebrates faculty excellence

Wichita State's Scholars Walk on campus, located between the Plaza of Heroines and Heskett Center, celebrates faculty excellence in research and classroom accomplishments.

Founded in 2025, the banners for the 2026 class of faculty are now installed and viewable on campus:

• Dr. Steven Farmer, W. Frank Barton Distinguished Chair in Business and professor of management
• Dr. Jason Ferguson, director of physics and professor
• Dr. Suzanne Hawley, professor of public health sciences
• Dr. Susan Matveyeva, catalog and institutional repository librarian and associate professor
• Dr. Imran Musaji, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders
• Dr. Lindsey Ott, assistant teaching professor of biomedical engineering
• Dr. Claudia Pederson, professor of art history
• Dr. Tim Shan, associate professor of computing
• Dr. Susan Sterrett, Curtis D. Gridley Distinguished Professorship in History and Philosophy of Science
• Dr. Mark Vermillion, chair of sport management and professor
• Dr. Sam Yeager, professor of public affairs

A reception honoring the new faculty will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 in the atrium of Ablah Library, including remarks from Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost, at 1 p.m.

Men's cross country places 24th in National Coaches' Poll

For the first time in the history of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches’ Poll, the Shocker men’s cross country team earned a national ranking, coming in at No. 24 in the week five poll.

The men also moved up to No. 4 in the USTFCCCA Midwest Region rankings, passing Tulsa to claim its highest Midwest Region ranking in program history.

Prior to the national coaches’ poll, the last time the Shocker men were featured on a national list, the team placed 26th at the 1975 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Wichita State also finished 17th in 1974, 18th in 1973 and recorded its best team finish in 1971, placing 14th.

The Shockers compete in the American Conference Championships on Saturday, Oct. 31 in New Orleans. The NCAA Midwest Regional is Nov. 13 in Ames, Iowa. 

From 'Why?' to world class: WSU’s Kevin Kelly has built a career in a wind tunnel

What began as a student job at Wichita State's Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel has grown into a 20-year career for Kevin Kelly. Now a research manager at the National Institute for Aviation Research, Kelly has played a key role in the facility's evolution while mentoring others and continuing to ask the question that drives every engineer: "Why?"

Growing up in Wichita, Kelly enjoyed math and science but wasn't sure where they would lead. After graduating from Wichita Heights High School in 2005, he earned the Wallace Scholarship and enrolled at Wichita State to study aerospace engineering.

A conversation with aerospace engineering chair Scott Miller helped steer him toward opportunities in his field, eventually leading him to NIAR.

Wichita State hosts Kansas Board of Regents on campus

Wichita State University had the privilege of hosting the Kansas Board of Regents Oct. 14-15.

Members of KBOR visited with university representatives to learn more about how WSU continues to push its priorities of helping families through access and affordability, supporting Kansas businesses with a talent pipeline that meets employer needs and increasing economic prosperity with higher education that benefits the Kansas economy.

During their visit, members of KBOR were able to tour the new Hub for Advanced Manufacturing and Research and ATF Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Excellence, meet with students currently engaged in applied learning opportunities, chat with the Faculty Senate and Student Government Association, and more.

These visits help demonstrate that Wichita State's mission is not just lip service. Our campus community puts into practice the values that shape WSU as a student-centered, innovation-driven university.

Stay connected with WSU by attending upcoming events

As Wichita State University starts wrapping up the fall 2026 semester, use this opportunity to attend a number of campus events. From Shocker Athletics to fine arts, there's something for everyone.

Shocker men's basketball to kick off 2026 season in November

Women's basketball adds to coaching staff for upcoming season

Shocker women's basketball brought on Melanie Balcomb as assistant head coach in the spring to help bolster the team for its upcoming season.

Support the Shockers at the following home games in Charles Koch Arena:

Missouri State - 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10

UC Riverside - 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14

Haskell Indian Nations - 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2

Omaha - 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12

Jacksonville State - 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15

First home American Conference game:

UAB - 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027

Shocker volleyball enters final stretch of its 2026 season

Shocker volleyball has five remaining games before the American Conference Championship Nov. 20-22, three of which are at home.

Come cheer on the Shockers at home or bring the energy on the road:

VS Florida Atlantic - Noon Sunday, Nov. 1

At North Texas - 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, Denton, Texas

At UTSA - 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, San Antonio, Texas

VS Temple - 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13

At UAB - 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Birmingham, Alabama

College of Fine Arts invites community to numerous events, exhibits this fall

Wichita State's College of Fine Arts invites Shocker Nation to visit a number of events its departments have lined up throughout the remaining fall 2026 semester, including:

• Join the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries (ADCI) for the "Wired" art exhibition, on display for free from Wednesday, Nov. 4 through Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the McKnight Art Center. ADCI students will share works that capture the life of a college student working late hours finishing projects and preparing for the next critique. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.
• Students in the School of Performing Arts will perform the musical "Cabaret" from Thursday, Nov. 12 through Sunday, Nov. 15 at Wilner Auditorium. Set in 1930s Berlin, "Cabaret" takes audiences inside the Kit Kat Klub, a place where anything goes and the outside world can be forgotten, if only for a moment.
• The School of Music is welcoming the community to its 63rd annual Candlelight Concert, held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-6 in Wiedemann Hall. Come welcome the holidays with the Madrigal Singers, Concert Chorale, WuChoir and ShockerChoir to help you get into the season.
• The School of Digital Arts is hosting Colleen Larson, senior character artist for Naughty Dog, makers of "The Last of Us," for a free artist talk as part of the College of Fine Arts Connoisseur Series at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 at Shocker Studios. Hear from Larson as she discusses her time in the gaming industry.

Tickets for "Cabaret" and the Candlelight Concert can be purchased through the Fine Arts Box Office.

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