WSU History
More than a century of innovation in education
When Wichita State first opened its doors in 1895, students rode horses to class,
telegraph machines were cutting-edge technology and Wichita had only been a city for
roughly 25 years.
A lot has changed.
The past century has featured a remarkable evolution for Wichita State, one in which
the school has grown from a small Christian college to a large state university –
punctuated by two name changes and a few thousand extra students.
Together with the City of Wichita, WSU has built one of the most unique partnerships
in Kansas. It's a relationship that supplies the lifeblood of a thriving community
and makes it possible to provide the most well-rounded education in the region.
Today, the university continues its evolution through collaboration, innovation, applied
learning and entrepreneurship – creating the ideal environment for students, industry
and community to work together and build a bright future for our city, region and
world.
