Dear Students:

Welcome. I hope you had a productive summer. We’re glad you’ve chosen to be part of the Shocker family.

If you’re a new student, you’ll soon discover that Wichita State University is a great place to be. I started my academic career here as a faculty member, and even though I’ve lived away from Wichita for many years, I stayed close to the university and always knew it was a great place. Now, as Deborah and I have returned to the campus, I’ve discovered that Wichita State is even better than I had thought. From the quality of teaching and research, to the opportunities for experience-based learning, to the beauty of the campus, this is truly a unique university. I’m proud to serve as its 13th president.

My team and I are hitting the ground running with a number of top priorities. Chief among them is getting a new strategic plan created to carry Wichita State into the next decade. We want to fully understand our mission and ensure that we are organized appropriately to carry out that mission. We also intend to focus on improving student life, including major improvements to campus housing, parking and other amenities. My goal is to make the campus even more student-friendly than it already is.

As you get settled in for the fall semester, remember that much of the success of any academic program is largely dependent upon you. You’ve succeeded in taking the first step in selecting a great university in which to pursue your studies. Now, your ongoing success will depend greatly on what you bring to the table. I encourage you to take full advantage of the learning, research and social opportunities available to you here. As you do, you will expand your investment in a quality education.

I look forward to getting to know you and hearing your ideas for improving things on campus. I welcome open dialogue and new ideas, and am always glad to hear from you.

Best wishes,

John W. Bardo

President