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Abel Barraza

March 12, 2020 — Abel Barraza hasn’t shied away from challenges during his time at Wichita State University. The first-generation college student from Dodge City not only undertook a rigorous curriculum that included fluid mechanics and calculus, but he also served as president of his fraternity during his demanding senior year.

Team Wire Pullers advanced to the national competition for the Koch Innovation Challenge.

May 12, 2020 — Wichita State's Team Wire Pullers has advanced to the national competition in the Koch Innovation Challenge. The team — comprised of Braden Botkin, a sophomore in engineering technology; Adam Brown, a freshman in engineering; and Nicholas Ridpath, a freshman in applied computing — created a magnetic device to make pulling wires through walls easier.

A Girl Scout does an activity on a computer.

May 11, 2020 -- Students in the Service in Learning Engineering class have found a way to help Kansas Girl Scouts earn their STEM badges from home.

Wichita State campus

May 7, 2020 -- As our state begins to implement Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas, we too are beginning to develop and implement plans for the university’s short- and long-term future. This plan – Shockers United – is a culmination of seven working groups across campus, each comprised of students, faculty and staff, and each tasked with examining a different facet of university operations that must now be modified to a new normal as we seek to coexist with and thrive in spite of this virus.

Linda Harl, an aerospace engineering junior.

May 7, 2020 -- For the fourth consecutive time, the Wichita State College of Engineering’s NASA in Kansas program has secured a multi-year, multi-million-dollar grant. The latest four-year award is for $2.8 million.

From left: Jefferson Vieira and Rafael Bini Leite

May 5, 2020 — Scraping frost from your automobile windshield before you can safely drive can be time-consuming and unpleasant, but a new device called Shiver could make it a little easier. WSU engineering students Rafael Bini Leite and Jefferson Vieira are developing a device that attaches to the windshield and has built-in sensors capable of detecting ice on the windshield, allowing motorists to clean and remove it effortlessly before it builds up.

George Dehner

April 30, 2020 — George Dehner, a world environmental historian who examines the intersection of humans and disease in the modern era, presented “Influenza pandemics since Russian Flu: Do they provide insight to COVID-19?” as part of a Fairmont College of Liberal Arts and Sciences series, Perspective on the Pandemic.

A student works on a sculpture.

April 29, 2020 -- Thanks to a group of local professionals, including three Shockers, Sedgwick County creatives financially impacted by the coronavirus can now apply for emergency relief.

Rija Khan and Mackenzie Haas

April 28, 2020 -- New student body President Rija Khan and Vice President, Mackenzie Haas want to focus on diversity, inclusivity, mental health and campus transparency during their term. The paid hopes to create change by being authentic and advocate for the student body.

Wichita State student demonstrates canning techniques in a kitchen.

April 23, 2020 - Wichita State student teachers are jumping in to help with lesson plans during the pandemic. A group of 13 students contribute to an open document with lesson plans, videos and slide shows designed for remote learning.

Softball infielder Ryleigh Buck claps.

April 23, 2020 - Wichita State athletics is at home and still working together and planning for a return from COVID-19. A series of podcasts demonstrates how the Shockers are dealing with these circumstances. From coaches such as Keitha Adams (basketball) and Steve Rainbolt (track and field) to Ryleigh Buck (softball), Jack Sigrist (baseball) and Dawson Lewis (golf), the Shockers are using many tactics to stay positive.

Aidan Jude

April 20, 2020 -- Aidan Jude – a spring 2020 Wichita State University graduate in electrical engineering, computer engineering and mathematics – will be embarking on a full-time career as a software engineer for Amazon web services in July.

Students at SRI 2019

April 16, 2020 -- Many Wichita State University freshmen enter college with undecided majors. WSU offers programs that expose students to different fields of work so they will be informed when deciding on their major. One of these programs is the Summer Research Institute.

Dr. Brian Miller

April 16, 2020 -- While hospitals and doctors’ offices are seen as the battlegrounds against COVID-19, there’s another group of medical professionals who are also on the front line: home health care workers.

Hanna Bates-Crosby

April 15, 2020 -- Hanna Bates-Crosby is currently a nursing student at Wichita State University. She recently volunteered to work in New York City as a nurse during the novel coronavirus pandemic.