July 2020: University welcomes back students, celebrates 125 years
I hope this note finds you and your families doing well and that you are healthy and in good spirits. It is hard to believe that in just over a month’s time that our students will be back on campus. I know they are very excited to come back and be with their friends, and we are excited to welcome students back, too.
This is exemplified in the fact that we are only 3% below last year’s enrollment, which was the fourth year in a row of sustained enrollment growth. Importantly, Wichita State continues to be a national leader in providing access and affordability to higher education. In fact, in fall 2019, 44.5% of our undergraduate degree seeking students were first-generation.
Also in 2019, we led Kansas research universities with 76.8% of our graduates employed in Kansas after college. This is critical as we continue to recruit talent from our state and the I-35 corridor and develop innovative programs, including our focus on applied learning, to retain talent in our state.
While reopening our physical campus is exciting, I also know and respect that many of us are anxious as we prepare for the new semester. There is no doubt that it is going to take a lot of hard work and a strong commitment to each other’s health and safety to make the semester happen in a way we all want to achieve. I am very appreciative that a broad segment of our campus community has been engaged and active in planning for our reintegration and providing critical input. You can learn more about that plan at www.wichita.edu/shockersunited.
This fall I’m honored to begin the academic year with Shocker Nation as we celebrate our 125th year. In September 1895, Fairmount College, the forerunner of Wichita State University, held its first classes at the corner of 21st and Hillside streets. Now, 125 years later, we celebrate the ever-expanding role of our institution as a pillar of cultural and academic excellence, a vital engine of economic growth and a positive force in the lives of millions.
Wichita State’s core and distinctive values
The past few weeks have provided a time of reflection in regard to free speech at WSU. Our core and distinctive values that unite us as Shockers and live in our strategic plan give us our foundation and remind us what it means to be part of Wichita State University. We are committed to preserving and supporting freedom of thought, speech and expression on our campuses. We strive to ensure that all members of the university community have the greatest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, as allowed by law. We fully respect and support the freedom of all members of our university community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, campus partners friends and visitors – to discuss any problem or issue that presents itself.
Upon my arrival in January, I asked members of our leadership team to form a pan-university committee to evaluate our policies on free speech. Their work started in February and an initial report is due in the next few weeks as is a website that documents our continued commitment and efforts. Make no mistake that we are committed to continuing, and forever looking for ways to improve, the support, preservation and protection of a lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation.
We may not always agree with other members of our community. We also recognize that our decisions as a university – whether about free speech or any other controversial issue – may occasionally disappoint or alienate some. That is something I recognize and personally take to heart as we strive not to detract from the very important mission our university plays in providing an accessible and affordable education to all Kansans as well as our pivotal role in growing and diversifying our economy. The mission, vision and values of our university are at the heart of every decision we make and every perceived risk we take. We are first, foremost and always dedicated to driving educational, cultural and economic opportunities for the people and communities we serve. About that, there can be no debate.
Mission-based initiatives
Additional updates I’m pleased to share include these initiatives that highlight our strong relationship with the region and our commitment to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.
- Diversifying our economy and growing our research portfolio through the President’s Convergence Science Initiative. Over 176 faculty participated in the proposal process with some teams comprising more than 10 departments and up to six colleges. We will be announcing the initially funded teams soon. Once approved, these new research and innovation initiatives will not only serve existing companies but will create a new generation of businesses and technologies based in Kansas. It will also greatly expand applied learning opportunities for our students.
- Growth of our Innovation Campus, applied learning opportunities and new academic programs
through the current construction of the NetApp facility, as well as our plans for
a building to house the future National Institute for Digital Transformation to host
a number of faculty from colleges across our university. In addition, after review
and approval by faculty, these four new degree programs will be submitted to the Kansas
Board of Regents for approval fall 2020:
- School of Business - MS in Business Analytics
- College of Engineering - MS in Data Science
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - MS in Mathematical Foundations of Data Analytics
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - BA in Linguistics
- This fall we will also break ground on Woolsey Hall, the new home of the W. Frank Barton School of Business. This will result in our planning for the reutilization of Clinton Hall. Of the $60 million needed for the project, we are still working to raise the final $5 million through private funds.
- To address economic, educational and health disparities in our region, we launched the Office of Regional Engagement and Economic Development. This is a direct outcome of one of our university taskforces and is building upon an already solid foundation of very strong programs, centers and institutes that address some of our community’s most pressing problems. Whether targeting high school graduation rates with the TRIO and GEAR UP programs, supporting small businesses in Kansas through the Small Business Development Center, or addressing the training needs of health care administrators in rural communities by connecting with the Community Engagement Institute or Public Policy Management Institute, this unique compilation of services allows Wichita State to connect our resources, faculty and students to the region and beyond. This office will improve coordination of university assets and allow for stronger partnerships with the community to support the needs of our region.
Finally, we will continue keeping you updated on all that is happening on our campus and in our community through these newsletters and town halls.
Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your summer,
Jay