Welcome to Wichita State
Welcomefest takes place the first four weeks of the fall and spring semesters and features dozens of activities. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include the Winter Welcome, Involvement Fair and much more!
Hosted by various student groups and campus departments, most events are free and give all students a chance to get acquainted with each other, learn their way around campus, and find ways to connect with the community.
Spring 2026 Event Schedule
Tuesday, Jan. 20
1st Day of Spring Classes
Hot Cocoa with the Colleges
8 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Wichita State Main Campus - Various Locations
Division of Student Affairs
Welcome Tables
9 a.m. - Noon | Rhatigan Student Center, First Floor
Student Engagement & Belonging
Shocker Strengths Scavenger Hunt
Jan. 20 - Jan. 23 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Wichita State Main Campus
Student Engagement & Belonging
Ulrich Docents Pop-Up Exhibition
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Ulrich Museum
Ulrich Museum of Art
Shocker Rowing Interest Meeting
3 - 3:30 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams
Shocker Rowing
6 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
Wichita State Athletics
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Hot Cocoa with the Colleges
8 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Wichita State Main Campus - Various Locations
Division of Student Affairs
Suspenders4Hope Day
TBD
Health, Outreach, Prevention & Education Services
Welcome Tables
9 a.m. - Noon | Rhatigan Student Center, First Floor
Student Engagement & Belonging
Ulrich Docents Pop-Up Exhibition
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Ulrich Museum
Ulrich Museum of Art
Shocker Rowing Interest Meeting
3 - 3:30 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams
Shocker Rowing
Black Out Mental Health Stigma
Men's Basketball vs East Carolina
6:30 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
Wichita State Athletics & Health, Outreach, Prevention & Education Services
Thursday, Jan. 22
Civic Canvases
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, First Floor
Student Engagement & Belonging
SGA Welcome Back Bash
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, First Floor
Student Government Association
Transit 101
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | RSC 256
Student Outreach & Support
Ulrich Docents Pop-Up Exhibition
11 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Ulrich Museum
Ulrich Museum of Art
Shocker Rowing Interest Meeting
3 - 3:30 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams
Shocker Rowing
3 - 6 p.m. | Shocker Hall, Outside
Student Success
Friday, Jan. 23
Belonging Bash
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, First Floor
Student Engagement & Belonging
Shocker Rowing Interest Meeting
3 - 3:30 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams
Shocker Rowing
Saturday, Jan. 24
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
10 a.m. - Noon | Fairmount Neighborhood
Student Engagement & Belonging
3 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
Wichita State Athletics
Sunday, Jan. 25
Monday, Jan. 26
Volunteer Fair
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, First Floor
Student Engagement & Belonging
Shocker Rowing Interest Meeting
3 - 3:30 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams
Shocker Rowing
Project Connect: Connection Cafe
4 - 5 p.m. | Virtual - visit wichita.edu/ProjectConnect
Student Engagement & Belonging
Tuesday, Jan. 27
Research Social
2 - 4 p.m. | Ablah Library, Digital Scholars Commons Area
Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Hub
Project Connect: Connection Cafe
3 - 5 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, Room 256
Student Engagement & Belonging
Shocker Rowing Interest Meeting
3 - 3:30 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams
Shocker Rowing
Student Activities Council Open House
4 - 6 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, Room 233
Student Engagement & Belonging
Wednesday, Jan. 28
PAWS & Relax
10 a.m. - Noon | Ablah Library
Student Success
Syllabus Party with Success Coaches
10 a.m. - Noon | Ablah Library
Student Success
Cocoa and Connect with TRIO SSS
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, First Floor
TRIO Student Support Services
Shrinky Dink Trinket Table
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, First Floor
Geology Department
Shocker Rowing Interest Meeting
3 - 3:30 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams
Shocker Rowing
Thursday, Jan. 29
Involvement Fair
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center
Student Engagement & Belonging
Shocker Rowing Interest Meeting
3 - 3:30 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams
Shocker Rowing
Movie Screening with a Scientist:
Fire of Love + Q&A with a Volcano Expert
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Geology Building, Room 101
Geology Department
Pakistani Student Association:
General Meeting & Welcome
5 - 7 p.m. | Woolsey Hall Ballroom
Pakistani Student Association
Ulrich Exhibitions Opening Celebration
5:30 - 8 p.m. | Ulrich Museum
Ulrich Museum of Art
Big Trivia
7 - 9 p.m. | Ablah Library
Student Engagement & Belonging
Friday, Jan. 30
Shocker Rowing Interest Meeting
3 - 3:30 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams
Shocker Rowing
Muslim Student Association:
General Meeting & Welcome
5 - 6:30 p.m. | RSC 203
Muslim Student Association
Loteria Night
6 - 8 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom
Student Engagement & Belonging
Saturday, Jan. 31
2 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
Wichita State Athletics
Sunday, Feb. 1
Monday, Feb. 2
10th Anniversary Kiah Duggins
Shocker Support Locker Celebration
TBD | Rhatigan Student Center
Student Engagement & Belonging
Tuesday, Feb. 3
Discover the Secrets of Ablah Library
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Ablah Library
University Libraries
Picture Your Future: Adulting Essentials
6 - 7:30 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, Room 262
Student Engagement & Belonging
6 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
Wichita State Athletics
Wednesday, Feb. 4
I <3 SAC Tabling
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, First Floor
Student Engagement & Belonging
6:30 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
Wichita State Athletics
Thursday, Feb. 5
Careers for a Cause
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, First Floor
Shocker Career Accelerator
Paint the Night
6 - 8 p.m. | Shocker Hall
Student Engagement & Belonging
Friday, Feb. 6
Kansas Food Bank
10 a.m. - Noon | Register at wichita.edu/VolunteerICT
Student Engagement & Belonging
Hypnotist: Chris Jones
7 p.m. | Wilner Auditorium
Student Engagement & Belonging
Saturday, Feb. 7
Wu's Big Event
8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Register at wichita.edu/VolunteerICT
Student Engagement & Belonging
Poetry Out Loud
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Ulrich Museum
Ulrich Museum of Art
Sunday, Feb. 8
Monday, Feb. 9
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Lunar New Year Celebration
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom
Student Engagement & Belonging
Cram Cafe
4 - 7 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, Room 142
Student Engagement & Belonging
Women's Basketball vs Florida Atlantic
6 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
Wichita State Athletics
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Leadership Luncheon
Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, Room 233
Student Engagement & Belonging
Men's Basketball vs South Florida
6:30 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
Wichita State Athletics
Thursday, Feb. 12
Library Research Award:
Informational Session for Students
11:30 a.m. - Noon | Ablah Library, Room 225
University Libraries
Lunch & Learn TRIO Day
1 - 2:30 p.m. | RSC 233
Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Hub
Artist Talk with Anne Samat
6 - 7 p.m. | Ulrich Museum
Ulrich Museum of Art
Movie Night Featuring Marshall
7:15 - 10 p.m. | Hubbard Hall 208
Student Engagement & Belonging
Friday, Feb. 13
Shockers After Dark
8 - 10 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center
Student Engagement & Belonging
Saturday, Feb. 14
Senior Saturday
9 - 11 a.m. | Register at wichita.edu/VolunteerICT
Student Engagement & Belonging
Wichita Clean Streams
10 a.m. - Noon | Register at wichita.edu/VolunteerICT
Student Engagement & Belonging
6 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
Wichita State Athletics
Sunday, Feb. 15
JCPenney Suit-Up
3 - 6 p.m. | JCPenney Towne East
Shocker Career Accelerator
