Forward Together: President's December 2023 Message

Working alongside the dedicated faculty, staff and students of Wichita State University is not just a job for me — it's a genuine honor and privilege. I'm truly thankful for the chance to play a part in this vibrant community while contributing to the growth of our state's people and businesses. 
 
Reflecting on the year gone by, I'm truly amazed by the milestones we've achieved and the path we're carving for the future of Shocker Nation. I'd love for you to join me in revisiting some of the standout moments from Wichita State's 2023. 

• We topped ourselves again and achieved our highest enrollment ever in our 128-year history. Combined enrollment by headcount across all Wichita State University locations for fall 2023 is 23,203 — 17,548 at Wichita State and 5,655 at WSU Tech. Our enrollment success is attributable to the collective efforts of everyone in Shocker Nation (including you!), and it’s exciting to see that we’re reaching new populations of students who are choosing Wichita State to help transform their lives and achieve their goals.
• Some of our enrollment success is a direct result of our efforts to make education affordable and accessible, and we’ve been hard at work to communicate the necessity to increase our need-based financial aid for our students. Clearly, folks were listening. WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement reported that it raised more than $10 million in need-based scholarships. Thank you to all of you. And to top that off, the Kansas Legislature allocated an additional $4.2 million (on top of $2 million the previous year) toward providing ongoing need-based scholarships to Pell-eligible Kansas students. 
• Coach Kristi Bredbenner and Shocker softball continued their winning ways with the 2023 American Athletic Conference regular-season title, their second in the past three seasons. The Shockers returned to NCAA regional play for the fourth time in the past five seasons. The success of the softball team is leading fund-raising for additions and improvements to Wilkins Stadium. In September, John and Gail Wadsworth donated $1.5 million for the Softball Team Operations Facility, which includes locker rooms, offices and more. In August, the Board of Trustees voted to invest $3 million to fund the project’s indoor practice facility.
• This fall, Wichita State launched the WSU Retiree Association (WSURA), aimed at providing new paths for Shocker faculty and staff retirees to continue engagement with the university. The new association adds to the existing array of perks available to retirees.
• The Wichita Biomedical Campus is cruising along and picking up steam. In total, the state has allocated $205 million in funding for phase 1 of the project. In August, the Wichita City Council agreed to transfer the land at 214 S. Topeka for construction, and earlier this month, the Kansas Board of Regents approved the land's joint ownership between Wichita State and the University of Kansas. Locating the facility in the heart of the city will create an educational and research synergy never before seen in Wichita, and it will solidify Wichita as a health care hub for our region. Construction on the facility will begin in 2024, with a target completion date of fall 2026.
• It was a big year in research at Wichita State with more than $400 million in awards, which is a 122% increase over our 2022 awards!
• Our applied learning opportunities are on the uptick, too. Wichita State and WSU Tech students participated in 8,967 applied learning experiences, and collectively they earned nearly $30.3 million from more than 700 employers. Our applied learning model has garnered the attention of the National Science Foundation. NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan visited Wichita State in January and praised the university, saying, “Wichita State University is doing amazing things.” 
• We welcomed a few outstanding head coaches to Shockers Athletics: Paul Mills for men’s basketball, Terry Nooner for women’s basketball, and Brian Green for baseball. 
• Wichita State’s Innovation Campus has had a big year, too! The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives opened its Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Excellence in May; and Braeburn Square welcomed four new tenants: Sesame Mediterranean Kitchen, Jersey Mike’s, Two Hands Corn Dogs and Pedego Wichita. The shopping center is fully occupied and fast becoming a hub for all Wichitans to gather, eat and shop. These partnerships and the dozens of other businesses that have found homes at Wichita State have caught the attention of the Association of University Research Parks, which recognized the Innovation Campus with the 2023 Emerging Research Park Award. 
• In March, we hosted President Obama’s chief speechwriter Cody Keenan for our 2023 Barton Speaker Series. Be sure to stay tuned for information about our 2024 guest, CBS news anchor Norah O’Donnell, who will speak at 6 p.m. March 21 in Miller Concert Hall.  
• Wichita State’s men’s track and field won its second straight AAC outdoor title last spring. 
• In September, Wichita State announced the addition of women’s bowling to its roster of NCAA sports in 2024-25. The Shocker bowlers have won 10 Intercollegiate Team Championships and will become the university’s 16th NCAA sport.
• For the 12th consecutive year, Wichita State is the top transfer destination in the state. 
• And finally, we bid farewell to two of our deans: University Libraries Dean Kathy Downes retired after 43 years of service to Wichita State, and our College of Fine Arts Dean Rodney Miller retired after 19 years at the helm of the college. To take over their leadership roles, we welcomed Bret Mai in University Libraries and Marie Bukowski in the College of Fine Arts.   

Reflecting on the year we've had in 2023, it's pretty thrilling to see our progress. And you know what? There's a ton of excitement ahead for us in 2024! 
 
Wishing you all the joy of the holiday season and nothing but the best in the upcoming year!  
 
Go Shockers!  

Sincerely,