May 2024

Spring 2024 Shocker grads by the numbers

It’s always a privilege to usher our graduates across the finish line at each semester’s commencement ceremonies, and our spring 2024 graduates were indeed an impressive group.

• A total of 2,709 degrees and certificates were awarded to 2,461 students; several students received more than one degree or certificate. That includes 75 doctorates, 959 master’s or post-master’s, 1,378 bachelor’s degrees, 27 associates and 270 professional certificates.
• 9% of our grads are veterans, active-duty military or military dependents.
• 60.7% of our graduates are from Kansas, 11.6% are out-of-state students from 39 U.S. states, and 27.7% are international students from 55 countries.
• 41.6% have the honor of being first in their families to earn a degree.
• 2.8% completed their degrees while also competing in Shocker athletics. Additionally, Wichita State’s student-athletes collectively earned the second highest grade-point average in university history, coming in at 3.399.
• 100% of our graduates are now part of a proud Shocker legacy, ready to make their mark on the world along with more than 110,000 other Shocker graduates.

April podcast: Iris Okere

Join President Rick Muma in a conversation with outgoing Student Body President Iris Okere. Iris graduated May 11 with a degree in marketing and minors in management and Spanish. Iris will discuss her experiences as a Shocker and future plans.

Click above to watch a video of the podcast. The podcast is also available on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts or Apple Podcasts (iTunes).

WSU and KU host Wichita Biomedical Campus groundbreaking ceremony

Hundreds of people gathered May 8 to celebrate the start of phase one construction on the new Wichita Biomedical Campus, a $300 million, 471,000-square-foot health sciences center in the heart of downtown Wichita.

The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a joint project between Wichita State University and the University of Kansas. Once complete, the campus will combine WSU’s College of Health Professions programs, WSU Tech’s health care program and the Wichita campuses of KU School of Medicine and KU School of Pharmacy — all into one location.

“The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a tangible expression of our dedication to advancing health care through collaboration and innovation,” said Wichita State President Rick Muma. “By bringing together researchers, health care professionals and industry leaders, we’re creating an environment where groundbreaking discoveries can thrive and where collaboration sparks innovation. This campus will be at the forefront of transforming health care, ultimately improving the lives of countless individuals.”

Duerksen amphitheater mural unveiled at ceremony

The brand-new mural at the Duerksen Fine Arts Center amphitheater, “Adelante Juntos – Forward Together,” had an official unveiling ceremony on May 3.

The mural was officially completed May 17 and is now on full display on campus, and students, staff, faculty and visitors alike can celebrate Wichita State’s Hispanic influences while appreciating the art of GLeo.

“It adds to the cultural vibrancy of the university,” President Rick Muma said in the announcement of the mural. “We’re now an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution. Bringing art focused on the Latino population, of the university, the city and the state demonstrates that we value everybody on campus. That’s what I see this mural doing for the campus.” 

New cricket field will grow sport's popularity at Wichita State

As Wichita State grad student Sai Karthik Garnepudi watched the Wichita State University Cricket Club grow in these past several years, the lack of a convenient place to play has limited its potential.

That has changed with the opening of a field at Dr. Glen Dey Park, located about two miles from campus at 2801 N. Grove. The club held a groundbreaking in April and an opening ceremony May 17. Garnepudi, who is working on his doctoral degree in cybersecurity, said he hopes to hold matches starting this month.

Garnepudi started the project last fall with Wichita State Campus Recreation and Wichita Park & Recreation Director Troy Houtman. WSU Campus Recreation paid for the concrete pad at the new field. Cricket is played on a circular area and requires a diameter of roughly 150 yards.

Wichita State class of spring 2024 graduates receive their degrees at commencement

Wichita State University held its 126th spring commencement ceremonies May 11 in Charles Koch Arena.

Graduates were recognized as they walked across the stage, and doctoral candidates were hooded at the ceremony.

Additionally, featured guests delivered speeches to the graduates at each ceremony:

• Shawn Chastain, executive coordinator of fine arts at Wichita Public Schools, spoke to the graduates of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College, and the College of Innovation and Design.
• Marshall Cho, a coach, educator and community builder, spoke to the graduates of the College of Applied Studies and the College of Health Professions.
• Tanvir Arfi, CEO and founder of Banyan Technologies Group, spoke to the graduates of the W. Frank Barton School of Business and the College of Engineering.

Hear more from the spring 2024 Shocker graduates

More than 2,400 Shockers were eligible for graduation in spring 2024. As they graduate from Wichita State University, they will share the story of Shocker Nation through their work.

Learn more about some of the graduates and their time at Wichita State and what they are looking forward to in their futures.

Baseball and softball reach AAC championship games; volleyball to play exhibitions in Brazil

While Shocker Athletics is wrapping up its 2023-24 competition, action continues into the summer:

• Track and field – Three Shockers will compete in the NCAA Championships beginning June 5 in Eugene, Oregon. Brady Palen and Destiny Masters qualified in the high jump, both for a second time. Both earned All-American honors last season. Lucy Ndungu will run in the 10,000 meters. Masters will also compete in the heptathlon.
• Baseball – The Shockers finished the season with an exciting run to the AAC Championship title game. The fourth-seeded Shockers defeated UAB and top-seeded ECU twice before losing to third-seeded Tulane 11-10 in the final. WSU went 10-3 over the season’s final month to finish 32-29 and third in the AAC. Pitcher Caden Favors earned first-team All-AAC honors. Freshman Tommy LaPour was named the AAC’s Newcomer Pitcher of the Year.
• Softball – WSU senior Addison Barnard ended her career in memorable fashion by carrying the Shockers to the AAC Championship title game. She went 7 for 9 in the four games with six home runs and 13 runs batted in to earn Most Outstanding Player honors after a loss to Charlotte in the title game. Barnard’s 93 career home runs rank fifth in NCAA history. CC Wong earned AAC Player of the Year honors after the regular season, joining shortstop Taylor Sedlacek and Barnard on the all-conference team.  
• Volleyball – Wichita State is traveling to Brazil to play four exhibition matches in late May and early June. The Shockers, including most of their incoming freshmen and transfers, practiced for 10 days in Wichita before leaving.

For updates on all things athletics at Wichita State, visit goshockers.com.

Members of the campus community were recognized with Rick Rewards

Every month, President Rick Muma shows his appreciation for the efforts of the campus community with Rick Rewards.

Teams and departments from across campus were celebrated for their work in making Wichita State a better place for all students, faculty and staff:

• Staff and faculty who've achieved the Internal Control All-Star credential were recognized in January for their help keeping WSU's resources applied to its mission.
• The WSU Care Team were recognized in February for their commitment to helping our campus members overcome difficulties and reach their full potential.
• President Muma celebrated all faculty and staff at Wichita State for Employee Appreciation Day in March with a lunch in Woolsey Hall.
• Members of the Department of Physics were recognized in May for their innovative research efforts and for bringing campus together during the April 2024 solar eclipse.

President Rick Muma celebrates distinguished faculty and staff members

Several outstanding employees through the University Staff Senate and University Faculty Senate were recognized with the President’s Distinguished Service Award at the Shocker Pride Celebration May 3.

These employees have demonstrated outstanding service to Wichita State and the campus community:

• Cheyla Clawson Chandler, associate professor and director, School of Performing Arts
• Mythili Menon, associate professor, Department of English
• Chelsea Redger-Marquardt, assistant dean, Cohen Honors College
• Jessica Pierpoint, library patent and trademark specialist, University Libraries
• Gabriel Fonseca, director for diversity and inclusion, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Ken Wiseman, Go Create facility manager, Go Create Maker Space
• James Porter, exhibition designer and production manager, Ulrich Museum of Art

And David Wright, chief data officer in the Office of Academic Affairs and Research, received the Wayne Carlisle Distinguished Service Award for his exceptional service to the university.

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