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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

Tuition and living expense is the major category of spending for many college students hoping to graduate with degree.

Stretching the budget is tricky but not impossible

Staff Reporter September 18, 2013

There’s nothing like debt to hold you back from launching a successful career search.College tuition is expensive and time consuming, and the debt some students generate can be a bit too much to handle....

Paul Kroeker is a bartender at Kirby's Beer Store. He's worked there for the last 18 years.

Life enrichment found behind the bar

Staff Reporter September 18, 2013

Paul Kroeker has been a bartender at Kirby’s for 18 years. He’s seen thousands of student and non-student customers and countless bands playing music of all genres. Books are kept next to the bar as...

Counseling and Testing aims to help students

Staff Reporter August 5, 2013

Living the life of a college student can be stressful in a multitude of ways. Wichita State has a strong resource available to students to help them with self-organization and stress reduction- the Counseling...

Bardo’s story from freshman year

Staff Reporter August 5, 2013

What was your first day like as a freshman in college?I went to the University of Cincinnati and I got 100 percent lost my first day. I went to the university that night and found all of my classrooms...

A letter from your SGA president

August 5, 2013

Fellow Shockers,

I would love to welcome everyone back in what is sure to be a great school year. For those that are new, welcome to the Shocker family. My name is Luis Carbajal and I am your student body president. If I have not met you, feel free to stop by my office in room 202 of the Rhatigan Student Center.

Over the summer, Student Government Association has been working hard and is excited for the opportunities this school year brings. You can expect to see many changes and I encourage you to participate in any and all activities that we work to bring to you including SGA sponsored athletic nights and a concert that I hope will be to your liking.

One of the most important things we have done is the revitalization of our journal, which is the document with our bylaws and guidelines. This is important to you because of the funding opportunity SGA offers. For those that are unaware, SGA offers funding to both organizations and students and we encourage everyone to stop by and look at the guidelines. We have been able to cut much of the red tape, making the funding process easier with increased limits on amounts allocated to students along the way.

I would like to make it clear that I would love to hear from the students this year. Please stop by my office or email me any feedback, ideas, or general comments you may have. Again, my office is located inside the RSC in room 202 and my email address is [email protected]. We are here to serve you and can only improve with your help and feedback. SGA offers many resources to students and I invite you to come find out in which ways we may be helpful to you.

I hope you enjoy what we have planned for the upcoming year and wish you all the best of luck with your endeavors.

Luis Carbajal

Student Body President

Student Government Association

Letter from the WSU police chief

August 5, 2013

Dear Students,Welcome to Wichita State University! If you are arriving for the first time or you are a returning student, you are going to be a part of an exciting time of growth and change for WSU.The...

The Heskett Center is home to a variety of sport facilities, fitness equipments, and classrooms to meet the physical health needs of the students that are attending WSU.

Health and wellness on campus

Staff Reporter August 5, 2013

Campus Recreation has a lot to offer students.Amenities include access to fitness classes, intramural sports, leisure activities and a free membership to the Heskett Center, WSU’s main sports and recreation...

Eric Sexton

A letter from the WSU athletic director

August 5, 2013

Shocker Students,

I want to welcome you to a special place during a special time. We are currently undergoing some of the most exciting changes this campus and this community has ever seen and you should expect an outstanding experience this year at Wichita State University.

Shocker Athletics would like to thank you in advance for your participation as fans and we could not and would not be as successful without your support for your peer student-athletes. We field fifteen sport programs at the NCAA Division I level and are members of the Missouri Valley Conference, an athletic conference recognized nationally for its quality programs and championships.

One of many focal points for your Department of Athletics is Charles Koch Arena, the home venue for Shocker volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball. Charles Koch Arena was brought about by the partnership of key supporters whose names adorn the building and areas inside the building. We have some exciting enhancements to Charles Koch Arena coming for the 2013-2014 athletics seasons including a new, state-of-the-art videoboard and sound system to improve your experience. These enhancements would not be possible without the support from you, our students, and for that, we thank you.

One of the many special benefits to this partnership is that we are proud to provide students free admission to Shocker athletic events. In addition, we provide free admission to men’s basketball games to the first 1,000 students with a valid student ID. Your participation creates an electric environment in Charles Koch Arena so please take advantage of the opportunity to attend all of our activities.

I also encourage you to join the Shocker Maniacs, our free student incentive program, that provides additional benefits for attending these and other exciting events. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where you receive exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes looks into Shocker Athletics. There is a multitude of ways for you to become an active member of the Shocker Nation, and I encourage you to do so. Please call the Wichita State Office of Marketing and Promotions at (316) 978-5499 for more information.

Shocker Athletics is focused on excellence both on the field and in the classroom. Last season, Wichita State realized unprecedented success, including advancement into the Sweet 16 for our Volleyball program; our first-ever MVC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance for Women’s Basketball; Conference championships in Indoor Track & Field, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s Golf, and Baseball; and who can forget the unbelievable run to the Final Four in Atlanta made by our Men’s Basketball team? This was all capped off with another All-Sport trophy for WSU – our 19th.

While the championships are important, we also emphasize the importance of integrating with our campus and performing at a high level in the classroom. The graduation rate for all Wichita State student-athletes who complete their eligibility is above 90 percent, which ranks among the top schools in the country. Last year, the average GPA for your peer student-athletes was 3.1, which we are very proud of. Perhaps the most impressive accomplishments by Shocker Athletics student-athletes was the 2,428 hours of community service Shocker teams completed throughout the school year. Wichita State athletics community efforts began over twenty years ago and have become a vital part of the student-athlete experience.

As always, those of you returning to campus who have made the atmosphere at Shocker athletic events what it is, and to the new students on campus, we hope you put Shocker Athletics on your calendar of events this year.

Thanks, and have a successful year!

Eric L. Sexton

Director of Athletics

Wichita State University

Shocker survival kit

Column August 5, 2013

Every student thinks they know what they’ll need for college: clothes, bedding, toiletries, a shower curtain, etc.However much you think you know, there is always something you realized you needed after...

Planning to park? Plan to walk

Staff Reporter August 5, 2013

Thoi McNair compares the parking situation on campus to a vulture attack.“Vultures. Coming to class, or coming to school, it’s like a vulture attack,” McNair said. “Everyone is just trying to get...

Starstruck: Be a Shocker, not a stalker

Sports Column August 5, 2013

There is no “us and them.”  The men’s basketball players are just like any other student, except with more national attention. The Wichita State men’s basketball team has been featured in numerous...

Enjoying athletics brings Shocker pride

Sports Column August 5, 2013

It was hard at first to adjust to not having a football team on campus after coming from a school with football. Many students choose to enroll at a particular university for its athletic atmosphere and...

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