WSU News

Oct. 7, 2026 — What began as a student job at Wichita State's Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel has grown into a 20-year career fueled by curiosity. Now a research manager at NIAR, Kevin Kelly has played a key role in the facility's evolution while mentoring others and continuing to ask the question that drives every engineer: "Why?"

October, 1, 2026 - Wichita State University is taking part in the statewide free college application period — Apply Free Days — Monday, Oct. 5 through Friday, Oct. 9. During this period, any Kansas resident who applies for degree-bound undergraduate admission to Wichita State can do so without paying the application fee.

Oct. 1, 2026 — The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities has named Wichita State University as a finalist for its 14th annual Innovation & Economic Prosperity Awards. The awards recognize innovative projects or programs in economic engagement.

Sept. 30, 2026 — Driven by the largest freshman class in university history, combined enrollment by headcount across all Wichita State University locations for fall 2026 is 24,640, according to annual data released today by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Sept. 29, 2026 - The annual remembrance at Memorial ’70 will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the memorial sculpture at the university entrance at Memorial Drive and Hillside. The ceremony will honor the 31 people - WSU football players, administrators, supporters and flight crew - who died in the crash in Colorado on Oct. 2, 1970.

Sept. 24, 2026 — The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has elected Dr. John Tomblin to the grade of Associate Fellow, class of 2027, recognizing his exceptional leadership and global technical excellence in aerospace engineering. Tomblin is executive vice president for research and Industry and Defense Programs at Wichita State University and executive director of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR).

Sept. 24, 2006 — Get your first look at the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Shocker Madness, the annual start to the season, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3. Admission is free. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and both teams will sign autographs until 6 p.m.

Sept. 24, 2026 — Wichita State University invites the community to show its black-and-yellow spirit during 2026 Shocktoberfest, a weeklong tradition of Shocker pride from Monday, Sept. 28 through Saturday, Oct. 3.

Sept. 3, 2026 — On May 3, a satellite prototype created at Wichita State was launched into low space orbit by NASA. On Aug. 4, when the first delivery of data came through, Professor Nickolas Solomey and his entire team of faculty and students breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Aug. 31, 2026 - Some of the newest and boldest ideas in space exploration will be featured Sept. 15-17 at the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Symposium at Wichita State University.