WSU News - All Stories

June 23, 2021 - In 1977, a Wichitan watched Star Wars at the Mall theater on East Harry. He returned again and again that summer to watch the lightsaber battles, Jedi Knights and X-wing starfighters. “I’m an original Star Wars guy,” Tim Fisher said. “I was just mesmerized. It sparked that ‘What is possible? What can we do?’” Decades later, Fisher is one of the people helping answer those questions for the United States and the entire world in space. He is chief engineer for NASA’s Gateway program, part of the agency’s quest to return to the Moon and explore Mars.

June 17, 2021 — Logan Brown, a Kansas entrepreneur and Harvard Law School student, loves her home state so much that when she decided to pay it forward, she partnered with Wichita State University to help propel women in business.

June 16, 2021 — Shaunte’ Levine is the recipient of the fourth annual Launch Award through Harvester Arts and the Wichita State School of Art, Design and Creative Industries (ADCI).

June 8, 2021 - Karla Burns’ legacy of music and drama is one of Wichita State University’s most prominent contributions to the performing arts. Burns, 66, died June 4 in Wichita. She attended Dunbar Elementary School and graduated from West High School. At Wichita State, she earned bachelor’s degrees in music education and in speech/theater, both in 1981.

June 7, 2021 — Five-year-old Ford Hall has had to overcome more in his short life than most do in a lifetime. That’s because immediately after he was born, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The doctors informed his mother he would probably never be able to walk. “It was that conversation with that doctor that really lit a fire in us,” said Cori Hall, Ford’s mother.

May 25, 2021 - The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has partnered with the WSU Alumni Association to launch the college’s first alumni council. The Barton School of Business Alumni Council consists of professionals who received their bachelor’s and/or master’s degree from the business school and represents different regions, degrees and backgrounds.

May 18, 2021 - The Wichita Rowing Association founded Wichita State University crew in 1974, and that shared history remains important to many former Shockers. On May 8, the WRA dedicated its $250,000 Riverside Rowing Center Boathouse at Riverside Park on the Little Arkansas River. 

May 14, 2021 — In December, 2017 Wichita State graduate Max Runyon created Literal Larry, a viral parody account on Twitter (@ImLiteralLarry1), which led him to land a remote role as a creative strategist with 180 New York. 

May 6, 2020 - In a true testament to his love for Wichita State University, Rick Muma didn’t hesitate when he was asked to lead the university through a pandemic and an overall trying seven months as interim president. On May 6, the Kansas Board of Regents showed its appreciation and confidence in his leadership, giving Muma its nod of approval and making him the official 15th president of the university.

May 6, 2021 -- The Kansas Board of Regents has appointed Dr. Richard Muma as the 15th president of Wichita State University. Muma is currently interim president at Wichita State.

May 5, 2021 — The Kansas Board of Regents has announced a meeting of the board at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 6, in the Rhatigan Student Center’s Shirley Beggs Ballroom (third floor).

May 5, 2021 - Tara Nolen, a 2012 health services management and community development graduate of Wichita State, is community health manager at Hunter Health, which has three locations in Wichita. She oversees outreach programs and coordinates COVID-19 vaccines. “This is what we do in public health - when there’s a crisis we try to work to stop it,” she said.

April 29, 2021 — Graduation can be scary, but it doesn't have to be. Four alumni share their advice on pursuing a career and more.

April 23, 2021 - By mid-July, Neel and partners Luke Luttrell and David Hopkins expect to open Social Tap Drinkery and Create Kitchens in a 5,680 square-foot space at Braeburn Square (4510 E. 19th St.) on Wichita State University’s campus. Create Kitchens will feature two restaurant spaces - Sungrano Pizza and one to be named later. Both are virtual kitchens with carry-out only and a multitude of ways to order and pay – apps, QR codes, kiosk and in-person.

April 23, 2021 — Wichita State University’s first Belonging Plaza will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, directly east of Weidemann Hall. Belonging Plaza is an outdoor pop-up commemorative gathering and programming tool designed to move to different locations on campus.