September 2025

Stay connected: Once a Shocker, always a Shocker

Wichita State University’s campus feels electric this time of year. Students are finding their rhythms and diving into the excitement of fall traditions. First Gentlemen Rick Case and I are enjoying the cooler temperatures in our early morning runs, and we’re in awe of how the campus looks this time of year.

And with all this excitement comes the decades-old Wichita State tradition of Shocktoberfest, held this year from Sept. 29 to Oct. 4. Throughout the week, student-focused events will include Wu’s 77th birthday bash, a pickleball tournament and a corn roast.

The weekend will be packed with life and community events that bring alumni, families and friends from far and wide to reconnect with Shocker Nation, including a patio party at Braeburn Square, a brew garden, parade and — of course — Shocker Madness, where fans get a sneak peek of Wichita State’s women’s and men’s basketball teams, along with a free concert by Lupe Fiasco.

On a more somber note, Wichita State will also commemorate the 1970 plane crash that claimed the lives of 31 Shockers with the 55th observance of Memorial '70 on Oct. 2. The ceremony will be at 9 a.m. at the memorial sculpture on campus at Hillside Street and Memorial Drive, with a reception at Duerksen Fine Arts Center afterwards.

Even if you can’t make it back to campus for Shocktoberfest, there are many other ways you can stay connected with Shocker Nation. A good start would be reaching out to the Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement team. Whether you’re interested in giving, mentoring or volunteering, they’ll help you find a match that fits your time and passion. Small commitments have a big impact on our students.

‘Student Centered, Innovation Driven’ is available now

“Student Centered, Innovation Driven” is a story of how Wichita State University redefined higher education by putting students first, embracing innovation and driving real-world change.

In a time of increasing skepticism about the value of higher education, “Student Centered, Innovation Driven” makes a compelling case for what’s possible when universities prioritize access and collaboration. The book is both a chronicle of Wichita State’s rise and a model for other institutions looking to reinvent themselves from the inside out.

Purchase wherever books are sold. To learn more about the book and limited time discount code, go to wichita.edu/book.

President Muma talks 'Student Centered, Innovation Driven' with local media

Hear more about "Student Centered, Innovation Driven" and Wichita State University from President Rick Muma as he talks with local media:

• President Muma sat down with Carly Keenan at KAKE News Sept. 2. Watch the full interview.
• Tom Shine with KMUW interviewed President Muma Sept. 19. Read more and listen to Shine's interview.
• Wichita State's student newspaper, The Sunflower, spoke with President Muma Sept. 1. Read the full article online.

September's 'Forward Together' podcast episode features Shocker alums and co-franchisees of Another Broken Egg Cafe

Wichita State University President Rick Muma is joined by proud Shocker alums and co-franchisees of Another Broken Egg Cafe in Wichita. Learn about Jacob O’Connor and Jon Peterson’s vision and the entrepreneurial spirit we strive to foster at Wichita State.

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).

WSU Board of Trustees approves feasibility study for dental school in partnership with FHSU

The Wichita State University Board of Trustees has approved up to $750,000 to fund a comprehensive feasibility study exploring the creation of Kansas’ first dental school. This is inclusive of support from Fort Hays State University, a partner in the project, which aims to address the state’s shortage of dentists, particularly in rural communities.

The study, to be completed by fall 2026, will evaluate the scope, scale and structure of a potential dental school based in Wichita, with a presence in rural Kansas through Fort Hays State. Key areas of focus include cohort size, faculty and staff needs, accreditation requirements, facility planning and potential partnerships with Federally Qualified Health Centers to expand clinical access.

If found feasible, the proposed dental school would be part of Phase II of the Wichita Biomedical Campus.

Ascension Via Christi names School of Nursing at Wichita State University

Wichita State University is pleased to announce the naming of the Ascension Via Christi — Wichita State University School of Nursing, reflecting a decades-long partnership between the university and one of the state’s leading health care providers.

The naming recognizes an investment from Via Christi in support of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, a joint initiative of Wichita State University, WSU Tech and the University of Kansas, that will redefine health care education in Kansas by strengthening collaboration across disciplines and supporting interprofessional health care learning.

“Via Christi’s support of the Wichita Biomedical Campus highlights their commitment to improving health care across our city and state, and we are proud to recognize that support with this naming,” President Rick Muma said. “This project requires significant partnership from our community, and we are proud to build on the longstanding relationship between WSU and Via Christi as we enter a new era of health care education.”

Outer facade of Wichita Biomedical Campus begins to take shape

Every day, the Wichita Biomedical Campus continues to take shape, previewing the innovative transformation it will have on medical research. Exterior wall panels and windows have started being installed, and concrete pours are slowly moving up the building.

Wichita State University and the University of Kansas commemorated the final steel beam being placed on the building with a beam signing event Aug. 26 that included many members of the Kansas community. And you can follow along with the construction 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 health care program, and the Wichita campuses of KU School of Medicine and KU School of Pharmacy.

Shocker Athletics gears up for another exciting season

Learn more about what's coming for all of the Shocker Athletics teams this fall.

• Men’s basketball hosts Drake in a charity scrimmage at 1 p.m. Oct. 11. Tickets are $20. The format includes a scrimmage featuring offensive and defensive segments, in-game scenarios and live play.
• Volleyball opens American Conference play on Friday at UAB. WSU’s first home conference match is versus Tulsa Oct. 3. WSU highlighted its nonconference schedule with a win over Arkansas in the Shocker Volleyball Classic. Setter Jordan Heatherly, a junior newcomer, is off to a strong start to her Shocker career. She has been named to the American Conference’s honor roll twice this season. Libero Gabi Mass earned American Defensive player of the week honors in early September.
• Cross country is working up to its championship season by traveling to the Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas Oct. 4 and the Pre-National Invitational in Columbia, Missouri, Oct. 18. The Shockers run in the American Conference Championships on Nov. 1 in Concord, N.C.
• Baseball started fall practices last week. WSU will scrimmage Nebraska at noon Sept. 27 at Eck Stadium. The Shockers travel to Dallas Baptist Oct. 18.
• The fall schedule for softball starts in early October. WSU will play McLennan Community College at 1 p.m. Oct. 4 and Emporia State at 3 p.m. Oct. 5. Oklahoma State visits Wilkins Stadium on Oct. 16.
• Women's tennis welcomed its new head coach, Jacob Eddins, Sept. 15. Eddins previously served as the associate head coach for the University of Illinois, where he helped the team reach back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.

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

Shocker athletes already put in results

Shocker women's golf places second at Payne Stewart Memorial

Shocker women's golf posted a near program-best team score on its way to a second-place finish at the Payne Stewart Memorial Sept. 9.

The Shockers runner up finish came behind round scores of 301, 290, and 290, firing an 881 (+27) for the week. It's the highest team finish for the Shockers since October 2022, when the Shockers won Creighton's Big O Classic. The team score of 881 is the third best in Shocker history, just six strokes off tying the team record set in March 2019.

Only tournament host Missouri State topped the Shockers, posting an 867 (+15) score to take the team crown.

Kipruto leads Shocker men to fourth-straight JK Gold Classic team title

Wichita State sophomore Elkana Kipruto won the 6k race to help the Shocker men claim their fourth-straight JK Gold Classic team title on a muddy Saturday morning at Clapp Cross Country Course.

The Mosoriot, Kenya native ran 18:41.49 in his Shocker debut to claim Wichita State's first individual JK Gold Classic men's win since Bryce Merriman won the 2022 title.

For the women, freshman Mercy Jepkoech was the first Shocker across the line for the second-straight meet, finishing third in the 5k race in 18:34.9.

Hear from Wichita State's leaders

Video from the athletic director, Kevin Saal

Kevin Saal, director of athletics, sat down with Denning Gerig, director of broadcasting, to discuss current events in Shocker Athletics.

Highlights of the conversation include:



• NIL, Revenue Sharing and the House Settlement
• The Wichita community and collaboration
• Economic and city wide impact of Shocker Athletics
• Future and legacy of Shocker Athletics

President Muma joins the Roundhouse podcast

President Rick Muma sat down with Paul Suellentrop on the Roundhouse podcast to discuss his book “Student Centered, Innovation Driven: A Guide to Transforming Higher Education”; the changes to the university over the past decade, as detailed in the book; and why President Muma believes those moves represent the future of education.

They also discussed how much time he spends each week on athletics, its importance to the university and community, and how athletics is more strategic in its operations under Kevin Saal, director of athletics.

2025 remembrance ceremony for Memorial ’70 to be held Oct. 2

The 55th anniversary remembrance ceremony of Memorial ’70 will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 at the memorial sculpture at the university entrance at Memorial Drive (18th Street) and Hillside.

The ceremony will honor the 31 people - WSU football players, administrators, supporters and flight crew - who died in the crash in Colorado.

A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony in the lobby of Duerksen Fine Arts Center across from the memorial.

Those interested in making a tax-deductible contribution in memory of the crash victims can give to the Football '70 Memorial Scholarship through WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement, the only endowed scholarship at WSU dedicated in collective memory to those who died in the tragedy.

Shocker Nation invited to participate in annual Shocktoberfest

Wichita State University's annual Shocktoberfest week of celebrations and events is back Sept. 29-Oct. 4.

Come out to campus for a variety of events that highlight Shocker spirit, pride and history especially for the big day, Saturday, Oct. 4, which features:

• Entrepreneur Market - From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Rhatigan Student Center, browse stalls from local small businesses in the community.
• Brew Garden + Fan Fest - From 3 to 6 p.m. near Shocker Hall, enjoy an afternoon on-campus filled with beverages from your favorite local vendors, in partnership with Shocker Athletics.
• Shocktoberfest Parade - At 4 p.m., enjoy the annual Shocktoberfest Parade that goes throughout campus and features Shocker Sound Machine.
• Shocker Madness - At 6 p.m., fans are invited to a free evening of fun at Charles Koch Arena and a sneak preview of the WSU men's and women's basketball teams

Register for the Pumpkin Run, a Wichita State tradition

Join the annual Pumpkin Run 5K Oct. 18 at Wichita State. Whether you're racing for a personal best or just in it for the fun, this fall tradition is one you won’t want to miss.

All participants will receive:

• A Pumpkin Run T-shirt
• A shiny finisher medal
• Awards for top finishers in each age group and overall winners

Running with friends? Invite your crew using your personal referral link. When five or more friends register with your code, you’ll get $15 off your registration through the referral program.

Can’t join us in person? You can sign up for the Virtual 5K and complete your 5K on your own schedule — anywhere, anytime. You’ll still get this year’s exclusive shirt and medal. Kids ages 10 and under can join the fun in the Little Pumpkin Run 1K. They’ll receive a 1k youth-sized T-shirt and a finisher medal — perfect for their first race.

Wichita State Esports continues to show impressive results as top contender nationally

Wichita State Esports continues to prove itself as a Midwest powerhouse in collegiate gaming, with championship titles, national appearances and leadership recognition highlighting its spring semester.

Across Overwatch, Valorant, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Call of Duty, WSU has racked up top finishes in both ECAC and NACE, with an overall program record of 222-122.

• Overwatch Varsity, WSU claimed a spot in the ECAC Titans Top 8, reached the NACE Top 25 and finished Top 4 in Heartland Showdown.
• Valorant made waves this semester, claiming a spot among the ECAC Titans Top 8, finishing in the NACE Top 16 and taking home both the East 3 Conference Championship and the Mizzou LAN Championship. Its success culminated in winning Heartland Showdown and earning a bid to the Collegiate Valorant National Championships.
• Rocket League Varsity advanced to the NACE Top 32, placed Top 6 at Boost on the Beach in Myrtle Beach and qualified for CCS Nationals. The team went on to secure runners-up finishes at both the CCS American Conference and the CCS Night Lights Invitational. The Rocket League JV squad impressed as well last spring, placing Top 16 in ECAC Division A, finishing as NACE Varsity Plus Runner-Up and qualifying for the ECAC Spring Showdown in Troy, New York.
• In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the varsity team earned the ECAC Titans #1 Seed and subsequently won its second ECAC championship. it additionally qualified for both NACE and CECC LAN Nationals, hosted in Orlando and Dallas respectively.
• The Call of Duty varsity team stood out against the national field with a College Call of Duty League (CCL) Sun Belt Conference Runner-Up placement, Top 4 in the CCL West Region and a Top 16 finish at CCL Nationals, earning it a national ranking of #7 — the highest in program history.

Additionally, WSU Esports was nationally recognized for its leadership. Joe Mazzara, director of Esports, was elected to the NACE Board of Directors and nominated for NACE Director of the Year, and Brooks Valdez, partnerships manager and Rocket League varsity player, was recognized with a NACE Student Leadership Award nomination.

Campus construction projects continue with new facilities and renovations

As Wichita State continues the fall semester, you will notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State’s 330 acres and beyond.

• RSC bowling remodel - Construction is completed in the basement of the Rhatigan Student Center for the project to create offices, locker room and conference room for the women’s bowling team.
• Shocker Studios expansion - Construction is complete for the expansion of Shocker Studios located at WSU South on Harry Street. The project created four new classrooms and additional office space for the growing School of Digital Arts program.
• Wilkins Stadium - Construction is complete on the indoor softball practice facility adjacent to Wilkins Stadium. Inside the building is a netted softball infield that is divisible into batting and pitching practice areas. Exterior work continues on the north side of the new building where the outdoor batting cages will be relocated in preparation for construction of the softball team and operations building to the south of the new building.
• NIAR Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Research - Construction on the NIAR HAMR building continues to progress. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. The 170,000-square-foot building is partly funded by an EDA grant and will house advanced manufacturing research labs and associated offices. The building is located on Innovation Boulevard between the Partnership Building 1 and The Suites. The first floor is primarily labs with offices on the second floor.
• Partnership Building 3B - P3B, located between Partnership Building 3 and The Smart Factory @Wichita, is under construction. It will house the Forensic Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• McKnight Art Center - Construction is complete for ventilation upgrades in the printmaking classroom and studios on the second floor of McKnight North.

Shocker Comeback: One class shy of graduating, former student returns to finish what she started

Brianna Stephens returned to Wichita State University this fall, boosted by the encouragement of her family and the Shocker Comeback Program.

“Once my family realized I was a class short of graduating, they pushed me to go back and be the one to start a new tradition,” she said. “I will be the first person in my family to finish college.”

Stephens, from Wichita, plans to finish her accounting degree and graduate in December. She first attended WSU in 2022 while working full time. The Shocker Comeback Program is designed to help students finish their degree program with personal support, financial aid, the Shocker Comeback Scholarship, success conversations and more.

The Shocker Comeback Program is tailored for former WSU students eager to return and complete their education. Whether you paused your studies or left before graduating, WSU provides the support you need to resume and succeed.

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