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Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

President Richard Muma addresses the attendees of the James J. Rhatigan Tree Dedication ceremony on Tuesday, April 22. The canaert juniper and a plaque in Rhatigan's memory were unveiled by Rhatigan's wife, Beverly, his daugher, Becky, and his son-in-law, Joe.

New life takes root in tree dedication ceremony for former dean of students

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief April 23, 2025

New life is taking root on Wichita State University’s campus following the death of one of the college’s most influential figures: James “Jim” Rhatigan. The life and legacy of Rhatigan, Wichita...

Wallace Hall on Wichita State's campus. (File photo)

Some campus buildings temporarily without water Monday

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 22, 2025

Some buildings on Wichita State’s campus, Neff Hall, Wallace Hall, Wallace Annex and Ablah Library, have had a “temporary water service interruption,” according to an email sent by WSU Strategic...

A framed picture of Pope Francis sits on display in front of the sanctuary at the St. Paul Catholic Student Center. In his Monday homily, Father Drew Hoffman spoke of the late Pope, who died early Monday morning

Wichita State’s Catholic community celebrates ‘joy of Easter’ in mourning Pope Francis’ death

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 21, 2025

Catholics around the world are mourning the death of Pope Francis, and those at St. Paul Catholic Student Center at Wichita State are no different.  The 88-year-old head of the Church died Monday,...

Assistant professor of 20th century U.S. history Laila Ballout gives a presentation about higher education. Ballout shined light on student visas and the increasing amount of issues international students are facing when applying for them.

WSU history faculty offer perspectives on the current political situation

Kami Steinle, Reporter April 20, 2025

Three Wichita State faculty applied their knowledge of history to examine the current political climate. At a panel event held on campus on Thursday, they discussed academic freedom, the challenges faced...

Sen. Evelyn Lewis raises her hand to ask a question during an April 2 Student Senate meeting.

SGA pushes for Wichita State to offer student diversity training

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 18, 2025

Wichita State’s Student Senate voted for an act asking the university to create an optional diversity training for its students at its Wednesday night meeting. “Our campus is relatively diverse,...

Sen. Josh Mallard introduces the Bike Rack Installation and Commuter  Kindness (BRICK) Act on April 2.

Student Senate asks for more bike racks on campus

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 17, 2025

Wichita State’s Student Senate voted to ask the university to install more bike racks on campus and make other changes to make campus more “commuter-friendly.” Sen. Cynthia Pizzini said at the...

A screenshot of the update, shared via WSU's faculty and staff newsletter. (Courtesy of Wichita State University)

Wichita State issues update on budget following shortfall concerns, close of legislative session

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 17, 2025

Kansas officially passed its state budget after Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed sections, and the legislature overrode most of those vetoes. The budget’s finalization means a clearer picture of the budget outlook...

(Photo illustration)

I can read CLEAR-ly now: state literacy initiatives shape School of Education curriculum

Riley Sipes, Reporter April 17, 2025

Based on 2024 state testing scores, about 33% of Kansas third graders exhibit limited literacy skills. This is a significant jump from 2015, when only 20% of students fell into this margin. To deplete...

Student Body Vice President Matthew Phan presides over the April 16 Student Senate meeting, in the absence of the speaker. Phan co-sponsored a bill amending funding regulations.

SGA makes several changes to how it allocates funding, including new $20,000 cap

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 16, 2025

Wichita State’s Student Senate spent the better part of two meetings discussing several proposed changes to procedures for funding students and organizations. At its Wednesday night meeting, the Senate...

AFT Kansas Director of Member Services Amy Jensen gives a banana sticker to Joe Hanford. Jensen and other member passed out banana stickers to passersby in the Rhatigan Student Center, asking them to show their support for the union's request for increased wages.

‘It’s bananas’: Unionized university staff gear up for pay negotiations

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 16, 2025

A small group, primarily of WSU employees, handed out banana stickers to people at Wichita State’s student center on Tuesday, telling recipients to wear them the following day. The bright yellow symbols...

Graduate Student Parker Binns acts as a blower at the prescribed fire.

‘Being out, hiking, and setting things on fire’: Students help with environmental work

Sophia Best, Reporter April 16, 2025

There is a lot that Wichita State students can do to help the environment: joining the Green Group, a sustainability organization, remembering to recycle on campus, or, like biology student Alex Dudley,...

A Wichita State University police car parked on campus (file photo)

Car stolen from campus over the weekend

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor April 15, 2025

A vehicle was reported stolen from a Wichita State parking lot on Saturday, according to campus police. The vehicle was stolen from Lot 1, a student and visitor parking lot, along Hillside Street at...

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