Wichita State University

Wichita State University is a public research university located in Wichita, Kansas. Founded in 1895, it is the third-largest university in the Kansas Board of Regents system. The university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and is renowned for its National Institute for Aviation Research, W. Frank Barton School of Business, and extensive engineering programs.

History

The institution was established in 1895 as Fairmount College, a private Congregational institution, on the estate of Reverend John H. M. C. B. The college was located in the Fairmount neighborhood of Wichita. In 1926, facing financial difficulties, it was donated to the city and became the Municipal University of Wichita, a rare model of a city-owned university. This transition was championed by Wichita mayor A. A. Hyde and civic leader John D. M. C. B.. The university joined the state system in 1964, adopting its current name. Key historical figures in its growth include president Harry F. Corbin and Kansas governor John Anderson Jr., who signed the legislation for its state affiliation. The campus expanded significantly in the latter half of the 20th century, incorporating the former Wichita Municipal Airport.

Academics

Wichita State University comprises seven colleges: the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the W. Frank Barton School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Health Professions, the Honors College, and the Graduate School. It is a national leader in aerospace engineering and applied learning, with major research centers like the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), which holds contracts with the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, and major aerospace firms like Spirit AeroSystems and Airbus. The W. Frank Barton School of Business is accredited by the AACSB. Other notable programs include the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs, the Elliott School of Communication, and the School of Nursing. The university awards degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.

Campus

The 330-acre urban campus is located in northeast Wichita, adjacent to the I-135 corridor. A distinctive feature is the Innovation Campus, a partnership district integrating corporate and research facilities, including the John Bardo Center and the Experiential Engineering Building. Key landmarks include the Ulrich Museum of Art, which houses the Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection, the Wiedemann Hall concert venue, and the Rhatigan Student Center. The campus also features the Henry Levitt Arena, the Charles Koch Arena, and the Eck Stadium, home to the National Baseball Congress World Series. The original Fairmount College buildings, like Fiske Hall, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Athletics

Wichita State University's athletic teams are known as the Wichita State Shockers and compete in the NCAA Division I as members of the American Athletic Conference. The name "Shockers" originates from early students who harvested, or "shocked," wheat to earn tuition. The men's basketball program, historically playing at the Henry Levitt Arena, has a storied history, including a Final Four appearance in the 1965 NCAA tournament under coach Ralph Miller and an undefeated regular season in 2014 under coach Gregg Marshall. The baseball team, based at Eck Stadium, has made multiple appearances in the College World Series and produced notable Major League Baseball players. Other sports include volleyball, track and field, and golf.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include television producer and host Barry Sanders (not the football player), Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, and former U.S. Senator from Kansas Sheila Frahm. In business, alumni include former Koch Industries executive David H. Koch and Spirit AeroSystems CEO Tom Gentile. Distinguished faculty have included composer and conductor William McGlaughlin, poet Michael Ryan, and aerospace researcher John Tomblin. The university's athletic alumni include NBA player Fred VanVleet, MLB pitcher Joe Carter, and Olympic track and field gold medalist Al Oerter.

Category:Universities and colleges in Kansas Category:Public universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1895