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Chonnor Ludolph

May 5, 2022 — Chonnor Ludolph was named Mr. Shocker at the athletic department’s Gold Carpet Awards in April, given to a senior who displays excellence in athletics, academics, character, service, and personal development. Ludolph finished third in the American Athletic Conference decathlon in 2021. Chonnor is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2022 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.

Engineering student working on machinery

March 29, 2022 — 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 once again was ranked in the top 100 engineering graduate programs in the country and the only institution in Kansas to make it in the top 100.

Wichita State students at Intrust Bank Arena

March 24, 2022 — Around 12-15 Wichita State students are volunteering for the practices and events surrounding the NCAA women's basketball Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games. Their responsibilities range from organizing practice schedules to decorating locker rooms with NCAA and school logos to working with media members on credentialing and seating. Some will run statistics. For those planning on a career in athletics, the applied learning experience adds to their resume and gives them experience working a nationally recognized event with large crowds and a television audience.

Stephanie and Matt Clark

March 7, 2022 - Wichita State alums Matt and Stephanie Clark taught English to students from fifth grade to high school in Ukraine from 2006-08 as Peace Corps members. Their friends and their warm memories are in turmoil as the Russian invasion wears on in their adopted country. They rely on social media to hear from former students, host families and friends, as they try to sort good information from bad and bring attention to the crisis.

Kennedy Stamm sits in from of WSU sign at the entrance with the two columns by it. She is in her grad cap and stole. There is some nice shrubbery in the background. She is smiling and sitting on a brick chair/

Dec. 8, 2021— Kennedy Stamm was led to Wichita State because she liked the Wichita School District. Now, she will start her teaching job in August after receiving a degree in elementary education. Stamm is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

The above photo was taken before the COVID-19 pandemic and masking policies.

Dec. 9, 2021 -- The Department of Human Performance Studies in the College of Applied Studies (CAS) at Wichita State University (WSU) has secured approval for a new graduate-level degree in athletic training. The 62 credit-hour program launches in the summer of 2023.

Shirley LeFever and President Muma hand Khalid Raza an honorary degree at the WSU fall 2021 Commencement.

Dec. 9, 2021 -- Khalid Raza has never forgotten his Shocker roots. Now the chief executive officer of Graphiant, a next-generation networking technology company based in San Francisco, Raza’s first independent start-up began in 1992 when he was working as a graduate assistant at Wichita State University.

Joyce Chiam standing in front of the steps of Ablah library outlooking campus with lush green and yellow trees in the background. She has a white blouse, long dark hair, black frame glasses, and coral red lipstick on.

Dec. 8, 2021— Joyce Chiam, an international student from Malaysia, is earning her degree in industrial engineering with a minor in mathematics from Wichita State. Through the encouragement of her peers, she has learned how to thrive in an academic environment far away from home. Chiam is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

Valeria Esparza sits in front of the Wichita State University sign. She is wearing a grey sweater and black turtleneck and is sitting on a brick ledge. There is some shrubbery below the sign.

Dec. 8, 2021— Valeria Esparza’s dream was to attend college as a first-generation student. She is now guaranteed a position to teach elementary education as her future job following graduation. Esparza is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

Merry Kirkpatrick stands in a field of yellow flowers with her 3 kids. One is a little baby girl in her arms. The other two are little boys. Her husband stands behind her. They are all wearing yellow themed clothes to match the flowers. There are some trees that line the blue sky.

Dec. 8, 2021— Merry Kirkpatrick learned how to balance family life and school while earning a degree in the early childhood unified program. She plans to continue working at WSU’s Childhood Development Center following graduation. Kirkpatrick is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

Lysel Bender is wearing a dark green jacket, some jeans, and brown high heel boots. She is sitting on the steps of the Barton School of Business where the purple, blue, yellow, and pink mural is.

Dec. 8, 2021 — Lysel Bender dreams of becoming a writer and a publisher after receiving a double major in English literature and creative writing. Bender is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

Megan Schmidt, 34, obtains nursing degree with the support of her family.

December 6, 2021 — From being a mom of five to becoming a labor and delivery nurse. How does Megan Schmidt do it all? Schmidt is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

Chris Schroeder, 32, learns to stand up and keep moving in the wake of challenges.

December 6, 2021 — Christopher Schroeder is thankful he learned how to advocate for himself and find his true passion for biology during a long road to graduating. Schroeder is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

Caitlin Nolen, 23, plans to obtain a Masters in higher education student affairs at WSU.

December 6, 2021 — Caitlin Nolen, a first-generation student from Edmond, OK, found that getting connected on campus makes being a new student a lot less intimidating. Nolen is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

Ashley Carpenter during WSU National Student Exchange Program at University of Montana to study forestry.

Dec. 6, 2021 — Ashley Carpenter learned more about biological sciences after she did WSU's National Student Exchange Program where she studied forestry. Carpenter is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.