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Janett Lerma-Reyes

July 10, 2025 — Wichita State sophomore Janett Lerma-Reyes is gaining hands-on experience and newfound confidence through a paid internship at Shuttlewagon, where she's applying engineering skills to real-world manufacturing challenges. The internship has not only sharpened her technical abilities but also affirmed her place in the industry and allowed her to support her family and well-being.

Spring 2025 grad

July 8, 2025 — More than 2,400 students were eligible to graduate from Wichita State University in the spring. See the full list.

Karaline Scott

June 26, 2025 — Electrical engineering major Karaline Scott is getting an early start on her career path. The Wichita State sophomore is spending her summer at Professional Engineering Consultants, where she’s getting paid to work alongside industry professionals and experiencing how engineering concepts translate to real-world impact.

From left: Dr. Waruna Seneviratne, WSU President Rick Muma, Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, Hexel CEO Tom Gentile, and Dr. John Tomblin

June 18, 2025 — Hexcel Corp., a global leader in advanced composites technology, is expanding its long-standing partnership with Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research by establishing a Hexcel Application Center inside NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems.

VISION machine

June 12, 2025 — Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) has received a patent for VISION, an AI-powered composite inspection robot designed to detect and repair damage on aircraft parts autonomously. Developed at NIAR’s Automation Research Center and recently installed at a U.S. Army facility, the system uses machine learning to analyze inspection images and speed up aircraft maintenance.

Vamsidhar Patlolla

June 9, 2025 — Shocker Composites, founded by Wichita State alum Vamsidhar Patlolla, transforms carbon fiber waste into high-performance, sustainable materials using a recycling method he developed during his graduate research. With support from Wichita State’s NIAR and Innovation Campus, the company is scaling up its impact and demonstrating how university-backed startups can drive real-world innovation and sustainability.

Members of the Shocker Store staff pose near a section of the store that displays Suspenders4Hope merch. Text saying

June 9, 2025 The Shocker Store is being recognized as a Mental Health Advocate for its support of the Suspenders4Hope program by offering the Suspenders4Hope T-shirts for sale, with proceeds directly benefiting HOPE Services, and by serving as a hub for resources for Shockers on campus.

Ridge Estes

May 29, 2025 - Ridge Estes, from Bucklin, used his study time and his athletic time wisely during his Wichita State University career. He majored in exercise science with minors in health science and entrepreneurship and graduated earlier this month with a 3.473 grade-point average.

Gene Stephenson Park

May 15, 2025 - Earlier this month, “Gene Stephenson Park” was added to Eck Stadium, home of Tyler Field, at a ceremony and unveiling. On Friday, his jersey No. 10 will be recognized on the stadium’s Wall of Honor in left field.

Wichita State grads celebrate at commencement ceremonies

May 14, 2025 — More than 2,400 students are eligible to participate in Wichita State University’s 127th spring commencement ceremony on Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17 in Charles Koch Arena.

Lisa Oldham

May 9, 2025 — Lisa Oldham, a proud two-time Wichita State grad, has dedicated her academic and professional journey to advocating for healing and justice in underserved communities. Fueled by resilience and a deep connection to Indigenous culture, she aims to serve others through work in corrections, mental health and substance use recovery.

Yumi Kikuchi in her graduation regalia

May 8, 2025 Yumi Kikuchi first came to Wichita State University as part of an exchange program and decided she wanted to pursue her graduate studies at the College of Innovation and Design. Her advice to other students? “Take chances. Life is an experiment, and college is the perfect time to explore, get involved and discover what truly excites you.”

Dr. Mary Liz Jameson shows off her dung beetles to a student at the lab

April 28, 2025 When the email notification popped up, Dr. Mary Liz Jameson, professor of biological sciences, thought there must have been a mistake. It must have been for someone else at the university or perhaps another Mary Liz at a different university. Once the shock wore away, Jameson realized it was true: She had been elected to the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Sciences Fellows, class of 2024, for her integrated work on entomology.

Wichita State bowler Aleesha Oden

April 10, 2025 - Wichita State's motto for their postseason run is "Stay in our house." "The concept started from not letting outside things affect us," senior Piper Reams said. "We can only control so much. We say, 'Everybody stay in your house.' It's helped all of us stay level and focus on what we can control."

Wichita State photographer at softball content day

April 4, 2025 — Wichita State University students are learning the importance of teamwork and communication in order to handle the pace and conditions working in paid applied learning jobs for the athletic department’s creative team. Knowing they are serving as a conduit from all 16 Shockers sports to their fans makes it a job they enjoy.