Corbin Education Center honored with historic listing after closure

Maleah Evans, Arts and Culture Editor • November 4, 2025

One side of the Corbin Education Center. The building is located on the north side of campus.

The Corbin Education Center, which houses Wichita State’s College of Applied Studies and was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

A place on the register is an honored distinction for the most significant architectural and cultural landmarks in America. There are more than 95,000 properties on the register, according to the National Park Service.

The building, named for former University President Harry F. Corbin in 1964, was nominated by Friends of Corbin, a local group that advocates for the preservation of the education center. The group was formed in 2023.

The unexpected closure of Corbin in 2024 and the subsequent renovation and re-opening earlier this year was a push for the recognition, according to WSU Strategic Communications.

Corbin is one of only two buildings in Kansas designed by Frank Lloyd. Wright The other – the Allen House – was added to the registry in 1977.

About the Contributors

Maleah Evans, Arts and Culture Editor

Maleah Evans is the arts and culture editor for The Sunflower for Fall 2025. Evans previously served as the arts and culture editor in Spring 2025. This is their third year on staff. They are studying journalism and history, and hope to pursue a career in journalism after graduation. In their free time, Evans can be found playing D&D.

Zachary Ruth, Photo Editor

Zachary Ruth is the photo editor for The Sunflower. Previously, Ruth was a photographer during the 2024-2025 year. Ruth is a sophomore and previously served as the editor-in-chief at Newton High School. Ruth is studying journalism and media production and hopes to pursue a career in photojournalism after university.