September 2023

Stop the stigma: WSU builds supportive mental health community

The culture of silence around mental health, substance use and suicide is slowly fading as more and more people begin to share their personal journeys of pain, loss, recovery and hope. While one life lost to suicide is one too many, the vast majority of the more than 12 million Americans who experienced serious suicidal thoughts last year found a way to overcome that crisis.

In 2022, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly designated September as Suicide Prevention Month as part of the larger National Alliance on Mental Illness campaign — Together for Mental Health — and this year Wichita State was represented at the proclamation.

Suicide Prevention Month is not just a time for awareness. It is a call to action. It is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and confront this public health crisis head-on by checking in on one another and by asking for help before it’s too late. Every life lost to overdose or suicide leaves an aftermath of trauma, shame and intense pain — something that experts say will be experienced by over 60% of people.

Dr. Jessica Provines, WSU’s assistant vice president for wellness and chief psychologist, knows that pain too well. She was motivated to become a psychologist after transferring to WSU during her sophomore year and finding herself disconnected, isolated and depressed. Later in her career as a therapist at the student counseling center, she lost three students, who had come to her for help, to suicide.

“At first, I buried my grief, overwhelmed by blame and shame. However, I understand how important it is. I talk about it now — not only to let others know they are not alone and encourage people to get help, but to allow myself to heal,” Provines said.

September podcast: Travis Yang and Joe Mazzara with Wichita State Esports

Join President Rick Muma for a conversation about the growth of esports at Wichita State. Rick spoke with Travis Yang, director of Wichita State’s Esports program, and assistant director Joe Mazzara about Shocker Esports, which began in 2019 and quickly became WSU’s fastest-growing varsity program.

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).

Wichita State, WSU Tech celebrate highest historical enrollments

Wichita State University's efforts to transform the educational experience for students and redefine the role of a university to foster statewide economic growth have yielded remarkable results: the highest enrollment in its 128-year history.



Combined enrollment by headcount across all Wichita State University locations for fall 2023 is 23,203, according to the annual data released today by the Kansas Board of Regents.

For the Wichita State campus, the numbers represent an increase of 3.7% in fall student headcount from 16,921 in 2022 to 17,548 in 2023. That’s the largest number of students ever choosing to enroll at Wichita State.

At WSU Tech, student headcount increased 12.6% from 5,021 last year to 5,655 this year — also the highest headcount ever for WSU Tech.

$1.5 million gift will support WSU’s Wilkins Softball Stadium renovation

John and Gail Wadsworth have given a lead gift of $1.5 million to Wichita State University and Shocker Athletics, earmarked for the Softball Team Operations Facility at Wilkins Stadium. The building is a part of the $9.65 million Phase 1 of the stadium renovation plan, which will begin development in the spring of 2024.

“Gail and I feel so fortunate to be able to support the Shocker Softball program at Wichita State and elevate their facilities to match the caliber of the program,” said John Wadsworth. “Student athletes work incredibly hard to succeed in all aspects of their collegiate experience, and supporting projects that will benefit their development is something we encourage everyone to consider.”

John and Gail are both 1979 graduates of Wichita State University with degrees in mechanical engineering and elementary education, respectively.

Wichita State University is holding a parade next month and is inviting anyone in the community to join in.

Starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 on the WSU campus, the parade is part of the university’s annual Shocktoberfest celebration.

Shocker students, employees, campus partners, alumni, donors or simply fans of Wichita State are welcome. Individuals or groups can sign up to walk in the parade or take part with their own decorated vehicle, float or inflatable.

Wichita State Athletics adds Women's Bowling

Wichita State Athletics announced plans to add women's bowling as a NCAA Division I sport competing in 2024-25. Women's bowling will become the 16th sport at Wichita State, launching July 1, 2024. Current women's bowling coach Holly Harris will serve as the program's first NCAA Division I women's head coach.

"The historical success of women's bowling at Wichita State University is unparalleled nationally," Saal said. "Five decades of tremendous alumni and coaches' contributions, this program is equipped to launch as an immediate competitor in NCAA post-season competition. Over the next year we will work diligently on all elements of the transition to an NCAA program, most importantly aligning championship-level resources to meet championship expectations."

The Wichita State women's bowling program has a storied history which includes 10 Intercollegiate Team Championships (1975, 1977, 1978, 1986, 1990, 1994, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2021) and five Intercollegiate Singles Champions (2006, 2007, 2009, 2017, 2023).

Save the date for the Barton Speaker Series with Norah O’Donnell

The Wichita State University Craig W. Barton Speaker Series cordially invites you to save the date for an evening with Norah O’Donnell, anchor of “CBS Evening News” and a contributor to “60 Minutes,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center on the WSU campus.

More information, including how to reserve a ticket to the event, will be available at a later date.

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.

Brent Mai named dean of Wichita State University Libraries

Brent Mai has been named the next dean of Wichita State University’s Libraries, effective Oct. 15.

Previously serving as the dean of the Thomas G. Carpenter Library at the University of North Florida since 2019, dean of libraries at Fairfield University from 2016 to 2019 and the University Libraries dean of Concordia University from 2003 to 2016, Mai brings nearly 30 years of experience working in academic libraries to WSU.

Mai will replace Kathy Downes, who retires in September. Downes served as dean since 2017, but initially came to WSU in 1979 as a biomedical librarian.

President Muma talks Wichita Biomedical Campus at ICT Summit

President Rick Muma spoke at the annual ICT Summit, "Downtown: A Vision for Our City’s Core," Sept. 21. Three sets of panelists discussed the history of downtown Wichita, the developments currently underway and the future of downtown.



President Muma spoke about the upcoming Wichita Biomedical Campus in downtown Wichita, which will house the College of Health Professions and WSU Tech's Health Professions program, and the vision of creating a health care corridor to strengthen learning, collaboration and research for the Wichita community.

WSU students create new handrails for Koch Arena, improving the fan experience

Thatcher Luginbill-Ruder will see his work in the lab pay off for fans every time the Shockers play in Charles Koch Arena.

Two of those fans are special to Luginbill-Ruder, a senior industrial engineering major from Olathe. Grandparents Errol and Suzanne Luginbill are Wichita State University alums and loyal fans of the Shockers.

When the Luginbills attend games in Koch Arena, the walk to their seats will be safer and easier, thanks to a collaboration among Shocker Athletics, the College of Engineering’s Innovation Hub and the Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization. Around 400 handrails are being installed in aisles above the entryways in the upper bowl and in the lower bowl behind the baselines.

Internship shows Wichita State student new facets of publishing world

At least once a week, Jeff Sawyer read “My Father’s Dragon” to his daughter.

“That was one of my core memories,” Denae Sawyer said. “He would always read it to me and do the voices. Books and reading and the imagination and the storytelling of it has always been a part of who I am.”

That love of reading led Sawyer to seek — and earn — an internship last spring with Dzanc Books, a non-profit publisher of literary fiction and non-fiction. Sawyer, who is working on a master’s degree in innovation design at Wichita State University, spent the spring semester interning remotely for 20 hours a week.

Her work consisted of reading and researching to determine if the manuscript fit Dzanc’s standards and sensibility. She also evaluated the potential audience and marketing strategies.

Rudd Scholars at Wichita State

Wichitan Leslie Rudd established the Rudd Foundation in 1994 and in 2018 the Rudd Scholars Program began honoring the Midwestern values that strengthen character and lead to a lifetime of success in business, community and family.

Alia Michaelis, senior biochemistry major, was a recipient of the 2020 Rudd Scholarship.

Amy Nguyen, sophomore international business major with minors in organizational leadership and marketing, was a recipient of the 2022 Rudd Scholarship.

WSU professor’s new book helps K-12 educators persist through today’s teaching challenges

Daniel Bergman grew up in O’Neill, Nebraska, buying comic books at the grocery store.

“It was hit or miss — if you had money, or if you could beg your parents,” he said.

Those superheroes stuck with Bergman through his college days at the University of Nebraska and into his career as a teacher. The powers, the costumes, the origins and the variety of story-telling techniques captivated him as graphic novels and blockbuster movies turned the crime-fighters into entertainment powerhouses.

“I’m a superhero fan at heart, even before it was cool,” Bergman said. “I’m also a teacher at heart.”

Bergman, a professor in the School of Education at Wichita State University, uses his affection for both professions in his book “Teaching is for Superheroes!”

Two Hands Korean corn dog restaurant opens on the WSU campus

The community has a new restaurant to choose from. Two Hands Corn Dogs opened on Wichita State University’s campus Sept. 22.

Two Hands, founded in 2019 and based in Los Angeles, is the next eating establishment to take root in Braeburn Square on WSU’s Innovation Campus, joining Starbucks, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Sesame Mediterranean Kitchen, Social Tap, Sungrano Pizza, Wheatly’s Burgers and Jersey Mike’s.

The menu includes items such as corn dogs, elotes, fries and tots with Korean-style twists, as well as a selection of slush and soda.

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