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Campus aerial

April 2, 2021 -- While the future of this pandemic and its effect on our daily lives still remains somewhat unknown, we are pleased to be coming to you with a message of cautious optimism as we continue our transition to a pre-pandemic mode of operation. Sedgwick County Commissioners voted to rescind all local COVID health orders, effectively immediately. Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have followed all guidance and orders issued by state and local public health authorities. Accordingly, WSU has rescinded all guidance requiring masks, social distancing and mass gathering limitations on our campus. However, we continue to strongly encourage our entire campus community to engage in these practices whenever possible. We also encourage everyone to get the vaccine when they become eligible.

Wichita State student

April 1, 2021 - In the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings of universities offering a Ph.D. in engineering, the College of Engineering at Wichita State University is again ranked in the top 100 engineering graduate programs, the only institution from the state of Kansas to make it in the top 100. Wichita State ranks No. 77 on the list, up from No. 94 a year ago.

2021 Rudd Scholars

March 25, 2021 — The fourth class of Rudd Scholars includes 19 Kansas high school seniors who will attend Wichita State University. Each recipient will receive a full-ride scholarship, which includes tuition, fees, on-campus housing and considerable networking/coaching support along the way. All Rudd Scholars are from Kansas and will attend Wichita State, Emporia State or Fort Hays State.

Vote here at Charles Koch Arena

March 23, 2021 — Wichita State University has been designated a Voter-Friendly Campus by the Campus Vote Project and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

Students at commencement ceremony

March 17, 2021 — Students who had their graduation ceremonies postponed due to the pandemic will finally get their moment – along with this year’s newest graduates – during Wichita State University commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 14, and Saturday, May 15, at Charles Koch Arena.

Aerial view of Wichita State

March 17, 2021 – Wichita State began developing the Shocker Neighborhood coalition to engage and empower the neighborhood communities surrounding campus. Since then, the commitment has expanded to include 10 neighborhoods and now engages with the community to provide resources, scholarships, academic support programs, mentoring and additional enrichment programs for neighborhood students.

Pile of shoes

March 10, 2021 – A class project in Kara McCluskey’s environmental and engineering technology class this semester set out to tackle an immense issue: The fact that each year in America, 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown away, taking an average of 30 to 40 years for just one pair to decompose.

Dr. Larisa Genin

March 3, 2021 - Dr. Larisa Genin wants the W. Frank Barton School of Business to be the best business school in the nation. The plan to reach that status starts with creativity, an entrepreneurial mindset and teamwork. “I’m really hoping that anything we do in the Barton School of Business would revolve around three words – innovation, engagement and impact,” she said. She hands out black and yellow rubber bracelets with the words “Happiness” and “Joy” stamped on as a reminder of her philosophy to emphasize a positive mindset and celebrate achievements.

Campus aerial

March 2, 2021 -- Wichita State University’s Student Health Services has been named by Kansas Department of Health and Environment as an approved COVID-19 vaccination provider.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will be the the keynote speaker.

Feb. 23, 2021 — The Department of Women’s Studies, in a partnership with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and League of Women Voters of Kansas, will hold the annual Diverse Women’s Summit (DWS) of individuals and groups from different backgrounds on local, regional and global diversity issues affecting women and gender on March 8.

Student Wellness Center

Feb. 17, 2021 - In the fall, Wichita State University public health sciences students took on the questions and uncertainty of helping with COVID-19 testing at the Student Wellness Center. Most are considering a career in health care. The volunteer time offered an applied learning opportunity working with the public during a pandemic and added to their understanding of public health.

Free COVID testing at the Metroplex

Feb. 17, 2021 — Wichita State University will be offering free COVID-19 testing to the public beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

Hutchinson's Bernard White Park

Feb. 11, 2021 - Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute helped by working with the City of Hutchinson and Hutchinson Parks and Recreation on its Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. The city and the recreation commission used the money to pay for a parks and recreation master plan. The plan targeted Bernard White Park, which scored lowest for amenities and improvements in the master plan, as one of the prime places in need of updates and a better connection to its neighborhood.

Community Health Workers

Feb. 9, 2021 — Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute (CEI) is working to put a spotlight on an underutilized and underrecognized profession: community health workers (CHW).

Students attend class wearing face coverings.

Feb. 4, 2020 — Amidst the chaos, confusion and grief of the coronavirus pandemic, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty are stretching their teaching skills and using the experience for teachable moments.