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Isabel Ridpath

May 15, 2020 -- The America Reads Challenge is an initiative started in 1996 by the Clinton Administration. At Wichita State  six students participated in the work-study program during the spring semester. But when the pandemic hit, the students were out of work with no pay so they facilitated a way to move the program virtually.

From left to right: Morgan Cusick, Quinn Rhodes, Maya (the garden mascot), Madi Laughlin, Ryne Carballo.

May 13, 2020 - Madi Laughlin, president of the Green Group, serves as the supervisor for the community garden. The community garden is a plot of land located northeast of Ahlberg Hall.

Engineering instructor and student

May 13, 2020 -- In the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings of universities offering a Ph.D. in engineering, the College of Engineering at Wichita State University is again ranked in the top 100 engineering graduate programs, the only institution from the state of Kansas to make it in the top 100.

Team Wire Pullers advanced to the national competition for the Koch Innovation Challenge.

May 12, 2020 — Wichita State's Team Wire Pullers has advanced to the national competition in the Koch Innovation Challenge. The team — comprised of Braden Botkin, a sophomore in engineering technology; Adam Brown, a freshman in engineering; and Nicholas Ridpath, a freshman in applied computing — created a magnetic device to make pulling wires through walls easier.

A Girl Scout does an activity on a computer.

May 11, 2020 -- Students in the Service in Learning Engineering class have found a way to help Kansas Girl Scouts earn their STEM badges from home.

Wichita State campus

May 7, 2020 -- As our state begins to implement Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas, we too are beginning to develop and implement plans for the university’s short- and long-term future. This plan – Shockers United – is a culmination of seven working groups across campus, each comprised of students, faculty and staff, and each tasked with examining a different facet of university operations that must now be modified to a new normal as we seek to coexist with and thrive in spite of this virus.

Virtual Reality class presentation

May 7, 2020 -- Leading up to the university shut down, Wichita State instructor and innovation design alum, Max Hinman and current innovation design student, Jared Goering worked together to design a virtual reality presentation that can be joined from any VR headset or computer.

From left: Jefferson Vieira and Rafael Bini Leite

May 5, 2020 — Scraping frost from your automobile windshield before you can safely drive can be time-consuming and unpleasant, but a new device called Shiver could make it a little easier. WSU engineering students Rafael Bini Leite and Jefferson Vieira are developing a device that attaches to the windshield and has built-in sensors capable of detecting ice on the windshield, allowing motorists to clean and remove it effortlessly before it builds up.

B-1 Bomber photo

May 4, 2020 -- A new research partnership between Wichita State University’s (WSU) National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and the U.S. Air Force will create a virtual B-1 Bomber that could help the Air Force predict the future of its supersonic bombers.

A student works on a sculpture.

April 29, 2020 -- Thanks to a group of local professionals, including three Shockers, Sedgwick County creatives financially impacted by the coronavirus can now apply for emergency relief.

Rija Khan and Mackenzie Haas

April 28, 2020 -- New student body President Rija Khan and Vice President, Mackenzie Haas want to focus on diversity, inclusivity, mental health and campus transparency during their term. The paid hopes to create change by being authentic and advocate for the student body.

Aliyah Funschelle

April 24, 2020 -- When Lucas Webb and Aliyah Funschelle received honors at the Wichita State University Innovation Awards in January, their Bright Futures awards couldn’t have been more on the nose.

Wichita State student demonstrates canning techniques in a kitchen.

April 23, 2020 - Wichita State student teachers are jumping in to help with lesson plans during the pandemic. A group of 13 students contribute to an open document with lesson plans, videos and slide shows designed for remote learning.

Softball infielder Ryleigh Buck claps.

April 23, 2020 - Wichita State athletics is at home and still working together and planning for a return from COVID-19. A series of podcasts demonstrates how the Shockers are dealing with these circumstances. From coaches such as Keitha Adams (basketball) and Steve Rainbolt (track and field) to Ryleigh Buck (softball), Jack Sigrist (baseball) and Dawson Lewis (golf), the Shockers are using many tactics to stay positive.

Dr. Brian Miller

April 16, 2020 -- While hospitals and doctors’ offices are seen as the battlegrounds against COVID-19, there’s another group of medical professionals who are also on the front line: home health care workers.