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VISION machine

June 12, 2025 — Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) has received a patent for VISION, an AI-powered composite inspection robot designed to detect and repair damage on aircraft parts autonomously. Developed at NIAR’s Automation Research Center and recently installed at a U.S. Army facility, the system uses machine learning to analyze inspection images and speed up aircraft maintenance.

Vamsidhar Patlolla

June 9, 2025 — Shocker Composites, founded by Wichita State alum Vamsidhar Patlolla, transforms carbon fiber waste into high-performance, sustainable materials using a recycling method he developed during his graduate research. With support from Wichita State’s NIAR and Innovation Campus, the company is scaling up its impact and demonstrating how university-backed startups can drive real-world innovation and sustainability.

Sayed Mohib Hassan in his graduation regalia

April 29, 2025 Sayed Mohib Hassan came to Wichita State University thanks to the W. Frank Barton School of Business and its business analytics program. While at WSU, Sayed made sure to make the most of his time by engaging in extracurriculars, participating in clubs and working for the Graduate School and recommends his peers do the same.

NCAA Tournament at Intrust Bank Arena

March 18, 2025 - More than 50 Wichita State students will work behind the scenes at the NCAA Tournament on March 20 and 22 at Intrust Bank Arena. Students will help the teams, coaches, families and media. They will put up NCAA signs, set up and tear down locker rooms, hand out credentials and more.

Aracely Martinez

Nov. 26, 2024 Aracely Martinez is a first-gen student in the United States at Wichita State University. Despite the challenges facing her moving from Paraguay to a new country, she took that as an opportunity to grow. She recommends other students look at the opportunities available to them while still in school to propel themselves into successful careers.

child with prosthetic bionic arm

Nov. 20, 2024 – Wichita State University has launched the Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine and Assistive Technology (IRMAT), an innovative collaboration focused on addressing disease and disability through applied research and technology. IRMAT will serve as a hub for cutting-edge, patient-driven research and development of transformative technologies to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Wichita State's National Institute for Aviation Research has been awarded $10 million from NASA to study advanced materials for hypersonic applications.

May 14, 2024 — Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research will receive more than $10 million from NASA for research related to the development and implementation of advanced materials for hypersonic applications.

Iris Okere

May 1, 2024 Iris Okere joined Wichita State University for its affordability and distance to her home in Texas. Here, she found WSU to be a place full of opportunities for her, including a chance grow her own confidence and independence through the challenges she faced, and in her final year, she was elected to the position of student body president in the Student Government Association.

Zachary Brown with his daughter and WuShock

April 01, 2024 Hear from Zachary Brown, director of strategic enrollment and student services in the Barton School of Business and a current employee at Wichita State who went to college as a first-gen student, about the first-gen experience.

Faith Swart poses with school officials

Feb. 14, 2024 The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University awarded Faith Swart, a Maize High School senior, the 2024 Clay Barton Scholarship. The $50,000 scholarship is one of the largest business scholarships in Kansas.

Wichita State University engineering students

Jan. 8, 2024 - Wichita State University moved to No. 2 on the national list of industry-funded engineering and research and development, according to the latest data compiled by the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development Survey.

Cohen Ayers and Grace Simon

Feb. 24, 2022 — The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has chosen two recipients to receive the 2022 Professor Fran Jabara Scholarship in Entrepreneurship. This year’s winners are Cohen Ayres from Garden Plains and Grace Simon of Wichita. They will each receive $32,700 over four years to attend WSU and major in entrepreneurship.

Margaret Dechant

Feb. 22, 2022 - The Dean’s Advisory Board for the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is excited to announce Margaret Dechant as its new leader. Dechant, CEO and partner at 6 Meridian, will take over for Clark Bastian. Dechant currently serves as a member of the board and looks to bring her knowledge and passion for the Barton School and WSU to her appointment. Bastian chairman of Fidelity Bank, will remain on the board after his term as chair comes to an end in June.

Jon Rolph

Feb. 14, 2022 - The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has named Jon Rolph, president and CEO of Thrive Restaurant Group and a member of the Kansas Board of Regents, its Executive-in-Residence for the spring 2022 semester.

Ella Tucker stands with an oversized check for $50,000. Ella earned the Barton Scholarship for fall 2022.

Feb. 4, 2022 — Ella Tucker, senior at Epic Charter Schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been awarded the 2022 Wichita State University Clay Barton Scholarship. She will receive $12,500 a year for four years to attend Wichita State. The $50,000 Barton Scholarship is one of the largest business scholarships in Kansas.