For WSU News and WSU Today content older than July 2018, search the WSU News Archive.

WSU News Archive   Return to WSU News Home

Engineer working on a plane

Dec. 5, 2019 -- The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released updated rankings for university research and development (R&D) expenditures, and Wichita State has held its position as the top university in the country for industry-funded aeronautical R&D with a total of $39 million in fiscal year 2018.

Eric Harrison, adult learner

Nov. 4, 2019 - Eric Harrison is a jack of all trades and has many talents. After dabbling in construction work, being a mason and making stained glass artwork, he realized he was missing an education. For Eric, coming back to school at the age of 66 is the best thing he has done. Currently, he is getting his degree in philosophy and minors in English and psychology. 

The Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing labs under construction along 18th St. in Innovation Campus.

Sept. 17, 2019 -- The National Institute for Aviation Research’s (NIAR) Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing Labs (AVET) will house labs that are currently located in the Institute’s headquarters on Mid-Campus Dr. The new space and equipment for the labs will enable the Institute to expand its work volume, hire more employees and provide more precise testing for its clients.

FirePoint challenge images

Sept. 12, 2019 -- The FirePoint Innovations Center at Wichita State University is hosting its first-ever FirePoint C3 Challenge, inviting university students from around the U.S. to submit their best designs for the Army's future unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) intended for next-generation combat and defense.

Textron building rendering on WSU campus

July 30, 2019 -- Wichita State University and Textron Aviation, a Textron Inc. company, have announced the next step in ongoing collaboration efforts to develop the future of the aviation industry and next generation of employees when the company signed a long-term lease at the Wichita State Innovation Campus.

Hammocks on the Wichita State campus

July 18, 2019 -- Five place-making projects, ranging from the Clinton Hall steps to the Ablah Library to hammocks, are underway throughout Wichita State's campus. Their goal is give people reasons to explore Wichita State and linger in their favorite spots.

NIAR building

July 10, 2019 -- Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research received a three-year $33 million contract from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center for a project focused on emerging materials for high-speed missile applications.

University and Army officials

July 2, 2019 -- Wichita State University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville have entered into a partnership to mutually strengthen capabilities in fixed-wing commercial, civil and rotary wing military aircraft research and development in order to more effectively serve the U.S. Army.

John Tomblin, vice president for technology and research, speaks about NIAR developments

July 2, 2019 -- A recent grant will allow Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research to speed up the manufacturing process for aerospace and defense industries.

WSU freshman Sam Brickett during his recovery in Omaha, NE

June 26, 2019 -- In September 2018, Sam Brickett, an aerospace engineering freshman at Wichita State University, was longboarding in the Rhatigan Student Center parking garage when he hit a crack in the concrete and fell. He hit his head and suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Person with neuro interface device on head

June 26, 2019 -- A NASA-funded Wichita State University research project will seek to understand how the human brain responds to gravity while in space.

Wichita State students at Cornerstone Data

June 28, 2019 -- Wichita State students are spending their summer helping the city use its data and share it across departments. The experiences researching, organizing and cataloguing the information are amplifying their classroom lessons in areas ranging from software to teamwork, trust and communication.

John Tomblin introduces Senator Jerry Moran and U.S. Air Force officials to NIAR research

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory recently awarded WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research a $23.5 million contract for modeling composite inspection and repair techniques for aircraft in active service.

Wichita State SLI team interviews with NASA correspondents after their rocket launch. Photo credit: Scott Miller

May 21, 2019 - Four Wichita State University aerospace engineering students have placed seventh in NASA’s Student Launch Initiative competition. The team designed, built and launched a rocket to complete a simulated Moon mission.

The Cave

May 20, 2019 -- Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research houses a virtual reality center, known as The Cave, which stands for computer-aided virtual environment.