Wichita State University students, faculty and staff joined with members of the public to celebrate the opening of Shocker Hall, WSU’s new on-campus student residence facility Thursday afternoon, Aug. 14, on Wichita State’s main campus.

The Shocker Hall Dedication and Open House, along with the upcoming dedications of the renovated Rhatigan Student Center (Monday, Sept. 15) and College of Engineering’s Donald L. Beggs Hall (Thursday, Sept. 18) represent early steps in the transformation of Wichita State into a national center for innovation and research.

Steve Larson, director of Housing and Residence Life opened the dedication of Shocker Hall. Remarks were also made by Wade Robinson, vice president for Student Engagement; Charles Harris, senior vice president of real estate development, EdR; Matthew Conklin, president of the WSU Student Government Association; and WSU President John Bardo.

Following the ribbon-cutting, visitors toured the new facility and enjoyed refreshments.

The new residence hall, between Cessna Stadium and Morrison Hall, holds 784 beds. A new 400-seat dining hall is attached to the new residence hall.

Most first-year students and some returning students will reside in Shocker Hall. Several room configurations are available, including singles, standard doubles, double rooms with two singles and quad rooms with four single rooms. Some have small living room areas.

Shocker Hall is made up of three buildings, one of which has a laundry room, community kitchen and lounge area on each of its five floors.

The new residence hall is expected to help energize WSU and provide exceptional access to academic and recreational opportunities.

As of May 14, Shocker Hall was full, with nearly 800 students expected to reside in the new residence hall.