For WSU News and WSU Today content older than July 2018, search the WSU News Archive.

WSU News Archive   Return to WSU News Home

Peri Widener

Sept. 21, 2020 -- Saying she wants to help build a new generation of business leaders with a world view, Wichita State alumna Peri Widener has pledged $275,000 to her alma mater. A portion of the gift will launch a program to help develop students into global business leaders.

Yolanda and Gene Camarena

Aug. 31, 2020 -- Gene and Yolanda Camarena are well known for helping underserved Kansas youth improve their lives through education and other causes. Now the Wichita couple is enhancing that legacy with a $1 million gift to Wichita State University to give students of color opportunities they otherwise might not have.

Pedestrian bridge

Aug. 24, 2020 — Building a stronger, more profound connection between the Wichita State main campus and its Innovation Campus, the university is proposing the creation of a privately funded elevated pedestrian bridge that will span more than 300 feet across the pond west of Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall, which is scheduled to break ground later this year.

a

Aug. 6, 2020 -- Wichita State provides discounted tuition rates to new students from certain areas in Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

Two students on the WSU campus

July 7, 2020 -- Nearly 70 years after John and Colleen Wooley first met as students at the University of Wichita, they have established a legacy that will touch the lives of Wichita State University students for generations to come. The couple’s $2.2 million estate gift will provide more than $100,000 in scholarships each year for students with financial need.

Arfath Mohammad, Shocker alum

July 2, 2020 -- Shocker alum Arfath Mohammad is using artificial intelligence to help save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alina Keow

June 12, 2020 - Wichita State University graduate Alina Keow is one of 137 people who earned the 2019 Elijah Watt Sells Award, which recognizes outstanding accomplishment on the CPA Exam. Nearly 75,000 individuals sat for the CPA Exam in 2019 with 137 candidates meeting the criteria to receive the Elijah Watt Sells Award. Keow graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2018 with a bachelor of business administration with dual majors in accounting and information technology & management information systems, and a minor in economics.

Andrew Cruz will graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration marketing degree and a minor in graphic design.

May 18, 2020 - Andrew Cruz will graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration marketing degree and a minor in graphic design.

Rhian Cunningham

May 14, 2020 -- Rhian Cunningham is as creative as they come, with her constant doodles and calligraphy notes, her personality shines through. Currently, she is an intern in the Office of Strategic Communication where she gains hands-on experience in graphic design. After graduation, she is unsure of her next steps but will spend time figuring out what she hopes to do.

McKenzey Bell, a WSU filmmaking grad

May 15, 2020 -- McKenzey Bell knows the importance of taking time to work on your goals and chasing after what you want. She is a pro at visual storytelling and is excited to see where her passion for filmmaking takes her in life.

Madison McCalla, WSU communication graduate

May 15, 2020 -- Madison McCalla knew she could get a great communication degree at Wichita State through the Elliott School of Communication. She made the most of her education by getting involved with a professional student group and stepping out of her comfort zone. And she isn’t going to let COVID-19 get in the way of her career plans.

Theresa Le, a WSU communication grad

May 14, 2020 -- As a first-generation student from Florida, attending Wichita State was a huge step for Theresa Le. She found the balance and resilience necessary to make her college career successful and now plans to start her own business.

Kayla Deines

May 14, 2020 -- Kayla Deines has spent her fair share of time in college but it's allowed her to pursue a path she's passionate about. Skilled in marketing, communications and design, Kayla hopes to land a communication job in higher education.

Felicia Smith

May 14, 2020 — With children and two full-time jobs, earning a degree was a herculean task for Felicia Smith. But through intensive time-management, family help, and the support of the Wichita State University community, she achieved her dream.

Claudia Rojo

May 13, 2020 - Claudia Rojo graduates this spring and will begin a graduate research assistantship at the National Institute for Aviation Research while finishing her final season of outdoor track eligibility in 2021. Rojo, like all seniors in spring sports, was granted the option to extend their eligibility after the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled spring sports. In 2019, she finished second in the heptathlon in the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships.