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Margaret Dechant

Feb. 22, 2022 - The Dean’s Advisory Board for the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is excited to announce Margaret Dechant as its new leader. Dechant, CEO and partner at 6 Meridian, will take over for Clark Bastian. Dechant currently serves as a member of the board and looks to bring her knowledge and passion for the Barton School and WSU to her appointment. Bastian chairman of Fidelity Bank, will remain on the board after his term as chair comes to an end in June.

Volunteers collect litter at a Wichita park.

Feb. 22, 2022 — The Wichita Litter Study was borne from community concern about the number of single-use plastic bags floating throughout the city. The study focused on 12 small sites within Wichita municipal parks — two parks within each city council district; and the data, while concerning, was not altogether a surprise for the research team.

The new entrance to Wichita State campus on the corner of 21st and Oliver streets.

Feb. 18, 2022 — The entrance to Wichita State University’s Innovation Campus on the corner of 21st and Oliver streets is about to get a Shocker makeover with new signage and landscaping.

Wichita State Campus

Feb. 15, 2022 — In the next steps toward the creation of the University Village, Wichita State University is seeking public feedback and engagement on the lead proposals.

Jon Rolph

Feb. 14, 2022 - The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has named Jon Rolph, president and CEO of Thrive Restaurant Group and a member of the Kansas Board of Regents, its Executive-in-Residence for the spring 2022 semester.

Juan Aguilar is standing outside behind a metal sculpture.

Feb. 7, 2022 — Four years ago, Juan Aguilar made a decision that is about to make his last two years in college a whole lot more affordable.

Three winners of Wichita State's Gore scholarship, Caden Carlson, Brynna Mays, and Audrey Muma stand with Dr. Rick Muma, president of WSU..

Jan. 28, 2022 —Wichita State University has selected the 2022 recipients of the Harry Gore Memorial Scholarships. Each student will receive a $64,000 scholarship to attend WSU in fall 2022.

John Bardo Center

Jan. 24, 2022 — Six Wichita State University teams were selected as semi-finalists in the university’s sixth annual Koch Innovation Challenge Angel Round on December 3. Those six teams of Wichita State students advance to the Grand Champion competition in May.

Campus aerial

Jan. 18, 2022 — Wichita State’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab (MDL) is open and continues to process thousands of COVID tests with 24-hour results. However, the lab has indefinitely suspended its COVID test collection service.

Campus aerial

Jan. 7, 2022 -- The Wichita Entrepreneurial Coalition has received a nationally competitive Build to Scale Venture Challenge award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The grant, one of only 50 awarded across the country, is designed to fuel a national movement promoting high-growth enterprises and unique startups.

The above photo was taken before the COVID-19 pandemic and masking policies.

Dec. 9, 2021 -- The Department of Human Performance Studies in the College of Applied Studies (CAS) at Wichita State University (WSU) has secured approval for a new graduate-level degree in athletic training. The 62 credit-hour program launches in the summer of 2023.

Shirley LeFever and President Muma hand Khalid Raza an honorary degree at the WSU fall 2021 Commencement.

Dec. 9, 2021 -- Khalid Raza has never forgotten his Shocker roots. Now the chief executive officer of Graphiant, a next-generation networking technology company based in San Francisco, Raza’s first independent start-up began in 1992 when he was working as a graduate assistant at Wichita State University.

Valeria Esparza sits in front of the Wichita State University sign. She is wearing a grey sweater and black turtleneck and is sitting on a brick ledge. There is some shrubbery below the sign.

Dec. 8, 2021— Valeria Esparza’s dream was to attend college as a first-generation student. She is now guaranteed a position to teach elementary education as her future job following graduation. Esparza is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

Wichita State performing arts

December 6, 2021 - Arts at Wichita State University benefit the city and state in ways that range from tourism to education to mental wellness. Wichita State’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research, part of the W. Frank Barton School of Business, attempted to measure those contributions in its Arts and Culture Impact Analysis for 2021. The study is part of the CEDBR’s series of studies that demonstrate how the university drives the local and state economy.

Wichita State's Molecular Diagnostics Lab

Dec. 2, 2021 — In an effort to meet community needs, Wichita State University’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab (MDL) has developed a test to detect all three viruses — RSV, influenza and COVID-19 (RIC) — from one nasal swab. The RIC test is available to all individuals and partners who test via the MDL.