1. The Innovation Campus comes to life

Wichita State’s Innovation Campus development picked up steam during 2015. With pledges and partnership announcements throughout the year and the superstructure of two new buildings completed near 17th Street, it may well be remembered as the year the ambitious development transitioned from vision to reality. http://bit.ly/1IZfAWa

2. WSU looks to Oklahoma and Texas

Wichita State announced two new programs this year that will expand students’ ability to attend WSU. Shocker Select gives eligible students from Oklahoma and Texas a 33 percent discount off nonresident tuition (http://bit.ly/1FizSsj). Shocker City Partnership allows residents of the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas to attend WSU for the same cost as Kansas residents (http://bit.ly/1XPXg59). 

3. Shocker basketball drops KU in NCAA Tournament

Wichita State continued to cement its place as a national power in NCAA men’s basketball in 2015. The Shockers, led by Head Coach Gregg Marshall, followed up an MVC title by defeating Indiana and Kansas in the NCAA Tournament to reach the Sweet Sixteen. http://bit.ly/1msgjoU

4. WSU expands to Old Town

Wichita State expanded its local presence with the creation of WSU Old Town, a complex of facilities and services located in the popular entertainment district. http://bit.ly/1IiC4fn  

5. Grant helps create new jobs

A $7.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration was awarded to WSU Ventures. The grant is aimed at creating new manufacturing jobs to replace those lost in the defense industry. http://bit.ly/1j47Ruz 

6. WATC students can now finish associate’s degree at WSU

A new partnership announced this year between Wichita State and Wichita Area Technical College allows students to start their associate’s degree at WATC and complete it at WSU. http://bit.ly/1E1ERbe

7. Students’ innovative work supports university mission

A group of Wichita State students created Shocker Startup, which provides support to entrepreneurial and innovative students (http://bit.ly/1R14FKW). Also on the innovation front, five students were named national University Innovation Fellows (http://bit.ly/1PhjcTX). 

8. WSU Ventures sees early success

The creation of WSU Ventures this year led to a significant increase in the number of invention disclosures at Wichita State. http://bit.ly/1OShneY  

9. Nation’s eye on Wichita State

WSU played host to two high-profile national shows this year. ESPN’s “College GameDay” aired in February from Koch Arena during the WSU v. UNI men’s basketball game (http://bit.ly/1QRmnCw). And MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program broadcast live in October from Shocker Hall (http://bit.ly/1WdODyD).

10. Student research takes center stage

Some of the most interesting student research projects this year included a device created to detect driver drowsiness (http://bit.ly/1RtW1YT); a therapeutic toy for children with auditory disabilities (http://bit.ly/1PnX6x7); and remote health care monitoring software for smartwatches (http://bit.ly/1LAmnUW).