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The Vizling app will help visually impaired people read comic books.

Feb. 3, 2021 — Kapow! Zap! Pop! Zoinks! A Wichita State University researcher is working to develop an app to make those words come alive for visually impaired comic book readers, Dr. Darren DeFrain, associate professor of English and director of Wichita State’s writing program, has recently been granted $11,000 from the John A. See Innovation Award to develop Vizling.

Image of students and faculty attending Zoom meeting

Jan. 27, 2021 — For three decades, an interdisciplinary team at Wichita State has been exploring how machine learning – also known as artificial intelligence – can maximize the potential of quantum computing.

Wichita State's Molecular Diagnostics Lab

Jan. 14, 2021 — Wichita State University’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab (MDL) is partnering with the Kansas capitol in Topeka to keep the state functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of early January, the MDL began processing thousands of tests per week for the people who work and visit the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka — including legislators, staff, the media, lobbyists, or conferees.

Dr. Greg Merrill

Jan. 11, 2021 — Wichita State University’s W. Frank Barton School of Business has announced Dr. Greg Merrill as the new director of the School of Accountancy. Merrill will succeed long-time Barton School faculty member Dr. Jeff Bryant, who has retired.

10 self-improvement tips for winter 2021

January 11, 2021 — Here are my 10 student self-improvement tips for winter break.

The Single Patient Stethoscope™ from Ad Astra Medical Devices, LLC

Jan. 5, 2021 - A Wichita State University-based program aimed at aiding frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 has resulted in the formation of a new Wichita startup company and a premium disposable stethoscope. The Single Patient Stethoscope™ from Ad Astra Medical Devices, LLC, boasts a sturdy, lightweight design engineered for maximum performance in today’s demanding medical environments.

Diversity classes

Dec. 14, 2020 – In response to student interest, Wichita State is focusing on developing new courses focused on diversity. Currently, Wichita State offers more than 330 courses on diversity content. Additionally, two-thirds of the first-year seminars offered are flagged with diversity and about 35-40% of students complete a diversity course while pursuing their degree.

Children laughing

Dec. 17, 2020 – Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute’s coalition is working to better the lives of children by encouraging workplaces to establish family-friendly practices. WSU-CEI works closely with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to establish multisector partnerships and resources for the execution of the Child Maltreatment Prevention Plan across Kansas. WSU-CEI also organizes a statewide coalition for this effort called Kansas Power of the Positive.

Joe Kleinsasser

December 15, 2020 - Joe Kleinsasser, co-director of news and media relations, retires from Wichita State this week and the university will miss his institutional knowledge, his experience and trust with the media, his patience and his kindness. He started at Wichita State just in time for a news conference called to announce the end of the football program. He remembers the visit of Russian president Boris Yeltsin to campus in 1992 as one of his most interesting assignments. He lists his work with Dean Headley, emeritus professor of marketing at Wichita State University, on the Airline Quality Rating as a highlight.

Woman and man at compute

Dec. 10, 2020 -- The Kansas Board of Regents has approved the creation of the newest department at Wichita State University’s College of Engineering – the School of Computing. Dean Dennis Livesay called the establishment of the new school a significant marker of the university’s commitment to producing digital-skilled workforce needed by industry.

Amy Schafer

Dec. 7, 2020 — Amy Schafer, director of advertising at Wichita State, will retire this month. She takes with her 32 years of institutional knowledge, her signature Wisconsin twang, and her dedication to Shocker Nation.

Sigma Lambda Beta

Dec. 2, 2020 — Wichita State has been successful in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 because college students are following social distancing guidelines. Wichita State’s Rho Beta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta and the Zeta Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta have had no cases of COVID-19.

WuShock will be the readers tour guide through Wichita State's history.

November 23, 2020 - Jay Price, a history professor at Wichita State, is honoring Wichita State’s birthday by creating a graphic novel of Wichita State's history.

Martha Backman

Nov. 18, 2020 — There were two Shocker milestones in 1964: Wichita University became Wichita State University, and a 17-year-old Martha Backman walked onto the Wichita State campus and began her college education. It took 56 years, but the 73-year-old is finally graduating with her degree in aging studies. 

Kylie Cameron Fall 2020 Grad

Nov. 17, 2020 – Kylie Cameron chose to attend Wichita State after learning about the abundance of opportunities offered. While pursuing degrees in journalism and political science, Kylie was involved in The Sunflower student newspaper and the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College. Kylie is one of more than 1,200 students eligible for fall 2020 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State, and read some advice she has for current students.