Representatives from Wichita Sate, Hexcel and the state of Kansas assemble to perform a ceremonial groundbreaking.

May 28, 2026 — Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), in collaboration with Hexcel Corporation, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Hexcel Applications Center.

Crossland Stadium rendering

May 26, 2026 — Wichita State University has received approval to rename University Stadium to Crossland Stadium in recognition of Crossland Construction’s significant contributions and longstanding connections to the university.

Dr. Moriah Beck

May 20, 2026 — Dr. Moriah Beck, Talaty Endowed Research Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Wichita State University, has been elected a 2025 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious scientific societies.

ATF building on Wichita State campus

May 19, 2026 — Wichita State University marked the opening of a federal forensic laboratory on its Innovation Campus, expanding the university’s role in applied learning and national public safety efforts.

Go Baby Go

May 19, 2026 - GoBabyGo, a program that modifies children’s cars so that children with disabilities can enjoy more mobility, celebrates its 10 th anniversary at WSU this month. In early May, the program had its delivery day, the culmination of months of interdisciplinary work by students, staff and mentors to customize the cars at no cost to the six families.  

Karsen Richard

May 18, 2026 - Karsen Richard plans to teach math in middle school starting in the fall. His experience with inspirational teachers means he will walk into the classroom with goals beyond the subject matter. Throughout his classes, travels and baseball practices, two people who helped him served as role models.  

Luke Johnson

May 15, 2026 - Wichita State’s College of Engineering and facilities such as the wind tunnels gave Luke Johnson many opportunities for applied learning. He will continue his education at WSU while pursuing a Master of Science in aerospace engineering and work at the National Institute for Aviation Research.

Caden Carlson

May 13, 2026 - Caden Carlson, who pole vaults on the Wichita State track and field team, is a two-time member of the American Conference’s All-Academic team. He earned two of Wichita State’s most prestigious scholarships, which helped him focus on his studies on his way to a job in Wichita’s vibrant aerospace industry.

Pamela Nelson

May 13, 2026 - Pamela Nelson, who grew up in Salina, found a supportive place to study and help the community while attending Wichita State University. She plans to attend graduate school and is considering a career in the hospice field. 

Alice Ukoha

May 13, 2026 - Alice Ukoha jumped into Wichita State’s applied learning opportunities in the community, on campus and while studying in Costa Rica. Her experiences boosted her degree in health science and into her next step.