Forward Together: President's December 2024 Message

This year has been one of progress and partnership at Wichita State. From exciting campus developments to groundbreaking research and championship celebrations, 2024 showcased the many ways our community continues to move forward together.  

January 

• We set the tone for the year with a big reveal, when the community got its first look at the renderings for the Wichita Biomedical Campus, a transformative project poised to reshape health education in Kansas.  
• Kim Moore – Wichita State’s executive director of Workforce, Professional and Community Education – was named to the board of directors for 1EdTech. Moore has been at the forefront of Wichita State’s efforts to lead in micro-credentialing, helping to expand opportunities for students and professionals to gain valuable, industry-recognized skills. 

February 

• The Barton School launched its new hospitality management major, equipping students for leadership in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. The program was developed in response to growing local and national employment needs in the industry. 
• Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement welcomed Telly McGaha as its new CEO and president. McGaha took the reins of WSFAE after our beloved Dr. Elizabeth King retired after serving the university for 33 years.   

March  

• As Wichita State continues to expand its footprint, we built an aspirational master plan that reflects our trajectory of growth and lays the foundation for a future of innovation. 
• We opened Wichita State Connect to foster meaningful connections among preK-12 students, educators and the university. Under the leadership of Dr. Alicia Thompson, the space will host field trips, workshops and community events, building relationships that inspire future Shockers and strengthen ties with the surrounding community. 
• Wichita State University’s College of Health Professions has partnered with Heartspring to provide hands-on physical therapy and audiology services to children with neurodevelopmental differences.  

April  

• First Gentleman Rick Case and I celebrated our 100th student lunch at the President’s Residence. It’s always a pleasure for us to share a meal and meaningful conversations with dedicated student groups.  

May 

• Hundreds of people gathered on May 8 to mark the groundbreaking for Phase One construction on the Wichita Biomedical Campus, a $300 million, 471,000-square-foot joint health sciences center in the heart of downtown Wichita. 
• We celebrated more than 2,400 graduates in May.  
• Wichita State unveiled our “Adelante Juntos” mural, a vibrant celebration of our city and university’s Latinx cultures.  
• Our Innovation Campus continues to exceed expectations, growing with two building groundbreakings: the Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Research, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory. These buildings represent our commitment to fostering cutting-edge research, industry collaboration and public safety innovation, while creating new opportunities for applied learning students, faculty and partners to lead and learn in innovative ways. 

June 

• Wichita State joined forces with the Kansas Health Science Center-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine school to enhance health care opportunities for Kansas students and communities. The agreement allows a select number of Wichita State students to accelerate their career path to becoming doctors.  
• Wichita State continued to increase its commitment to empower Shocker student-athletes and recruit and retain elite talent through name, image and likeness efforts. Former WSU volleyball star Emily Hiebert, hired in June as general manager of the Wheat Shock Collective, will focus on driving fundraising and membership growth, developing corporate partnerships and managing the collective's operations.  

July 

• In July, construction crews put the finishing touches on the new Shocker Success Center. This welcoming and warm facility brings together 18 student services under one roof, allowing students to conveniently connect to the resources that will fuel their academic achievements and ultimate graduation.   

August 

• The College of Health Professions was crowned champion of the 10th annual Clash of the Colleges, earning bragging rights until this favorite campus tradition kicks off again next year. 
• I was honored to accept the Donald A. Wilson Visionary Award from the Kansas Hospital Association for Wichita State’s efforts in developing the Wichita Biomedical Campus.  
• We celebrated the opening of Marcus Welcome Center’s new addition: The Milly Marcus Annex. The annex is the permanent home to the Shocker Career Accelerator, a multidimensional career-readiness experience that prepares students to be career ready the moment they show-up on campus. 

September 

• We took our Shocker spirit to Hutchinson for the Kansas State Fair, and Wu got to ride the Sky Ride.  
• A groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of the renovation of Wilkins Stadium. The first of four phases is a 14,400-square-foot indoor practice facility adjacent to the stadium. Fundraising continues for the project. The first phase is scheduled to be completed in March. 
• Construction is underway on Phase 1A on the east side of University Stadium (formerly Cessna Stadium). This phase will include ticketing, restrooms, concessions and bleacher seating. Phase 1A completion is scheduled for May 2025 before the KSHSAA Track and Field State Championship.  

October 

• The Kansas Board of Regents announced the 2024 fall enrollment counts, and Wichita State had another record-breaking year. Wichita State and WSU Tech announced the highest-ever enrollments for both institutions – 17,700 and 6,106 respectively – for a whopping total of 23,806.  
• In October, we mourned the passing of Dr. Jim Rhatigan, a campus icon who devoted nearly six decades to Wichita State as a professor, dean of students and steadfast Shocker advocate. While we feel his loss deeply, we honor his legacy daily by continuing his work and upholding his unwavering commitment to the success of our students. 

November 

• Wichita State volleyball returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017 after winning the AAC Championship by sweeping Tulsa, top-seeded USF and Florida Atlantic at Charles Koch Arena.  
• The National Science Foundation released its research rankings, and Wichita State ranked among the top: No. 1 in aerospace engineering research and development (R&D), No. 2 on the list in industry-funded engineering R&D expenditures, No. 6 in total industry-funded R&D expenditures, and No. 8 in overall engineering R&D.  

December 

• The Shocker women’s bowling team ranked No. 7 nationally. Women’s bowling debuted as an NCAA sport in 2024 and became the 16th sport under the athletic department umbrella.  
• Our fall commencement ceremonies marked the achievements of more than 1,200 Shocker graduates. 

As we close the book on 2024, I’m filled with gratitude for the ways we’ve grown together this year. I want to leave you with a holiday message from First Gentleman Rick Case and me – as well as a special appearance from Wu. See you in 2025! 

Go Shockers!