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2026 Professor Fran Jabara Endowed Scholarship Winners: Adeline Lank and Gabriel Shaffer

March 25, 2026 — Wichita State University’s W. Frank Barton School of Business has awarded the 2026 Professor Fran Jabara Endowed Scholarship to two Wichita-area students: Adeline Lank from Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School and Gabriel Shaffer from Valley Center High School. Each will receive $36,400 spread over four years to attend WSU and study entrepreneurship.

GoCreate

March 18, 2026 - Make48 returns to Wichita State University to launch the 10th season of the invention competition and host teams from its first Classroom Innovation Experience on March 20-22.

Wichita State students

March 10, 2026 - Wichita State University’s First-Year Seminar and Shocker Design Experience are producing impressive persistence increases.This design thinking course focuses on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and developing curiosity. A key component is learning that failure can be the first step toward success.

2026 Wallace Scholarship Winners

Feb. 19, 2026 — Wichita State University’s College of Engineering has named the latest group of high school seniors to join the Wallace Scholar program.

Alyssa Pace stands with an oversized check for $50,000

Feb. 18, 2026 — On Tuesday, Feb. 17, members of Wichita State University’s W. Frank Barton School of Business visited Belle Plaine High School to surprise senior Alyssa Pace with the 2026 Clay Barton Scholarship. The $50,000 award is one of the largest business scholarships in Kansas and will cover four years of tuition support at Wichita State.

2026 Clay Barton Scholarship finalists

Feb. 9, 2026 — The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has announced eight exceptional high school seniors as finalists for the 2026 Clay Barton Scholarship, one of the largest and most prestigious business scholarships in the state of Kansas.

Wichita State students pose and jump near a Wichita State sign.

Jan. 26, 2026 — Wichita State University is proud to announce a transformative $1 million gift from an anonymous 1958 graduate of the University of Wichita to support need-based scholarships in the W. Frank Barton School of Business.

Justin Neel holds a Pizza Shuttle box.

Jan. 22, 2026 — A staple of Kansas college towns is coming to Wichita State University. Pizza Shuttle — along with its signature flavors and lightning-quick speed — will open in Braeburn Square before the end of January.

NSF ranks Wichita State No. 1 in aerospace engineering R&D and No. 9 in overall engineering R&D from all funding sources

Jan. 12, 2026 — Fueled by a boost in contracts from federal agencies and various military branches, Wichita State University continues to hold strong in its standings in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development Survey, reporting $392 million in research expenditures in the latest survey.

Dr. Ali P. Gordon

Jan. 7, 2026 Dr. Ali P. Gordon has been named as the next dean of the Wichita State University College of Engineering, effective June 7.

Katie Galligan

Dec. 16, 2025 - Katie Galligan played four seasons for Wichita State's volleyball team as a defensive specialist and libero. She earned American Conference All-Academic Team honors while helping the Shockers to the NCAA Tournament in 2024 and the NIVC title in 2023.

Devika Nekkalapu

Dec. 10, 2025 — When Devika Nekkalapu was a child, she imagined she'd work for the Indian Administrative Service, but her fascination with technology led her down another path. In December, she will graduate with her master’s degree in business analytics. 

 
 

Natalie McConico

Dec. 8, 2025 — Natalie McConico is a homegrown Wichitan who was already well-versed in the many attributes of Wichita State University. She was particularly impressed by the opportunities available to engineering students.

Avinash Pabbisetti

Dec. 8, 2025 — Avinash Pabbisetti chose Wichita State for its holistic approach to his program in supply chain management.

Isabella Winter

Dec. 8, 2025 — Isabella Winter enjoyed earning her undergraduate degree so much that she came back and earned her graduate degree in engineering management. Her advice to other students is "step out of your comfort zone and talk to people in your classes."