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
Ainsley Smyth

Ainsley Smyth, Reporter

Ainsley Smyth was the news editor of The Sunflower during the 2024-2025 year. Smyth previously worked as a reporter. She is a junior pursuing a bachelor’s in communications with an emphasis in journalism and media production.

All content by Ainsley Smyth
Shovels and hard hats sit at the location for the Connected Nations Internet Exchange Point. Connected Nations members, local and state officials and WSU President Richard Muma broke ground on the new facility Thursday.

WSU hosts project to speed-up internet across the region

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
May 18, 2025
The Innovation Campus at Wichita State celebrated 10 years on Aug. 15, 2024. The campus is a university initiative to increase research and enrollment at the university.

Wichita State names interim engineering dean: electrical engineering professor Steven Skinner

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
May 16, 2025
Faculty raise their glasses in a toast to the research projects presented at an event hosted by the office of Faculty Advancement, Retention and Excellence. Despite uncertain funding after a federal grant was cut, the teams said they plan to continue with alternative funding if possible.

Canceled federal grant halts Wichita State faculty inclusion initiatives, research

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
May 15, 2025
Wichita State University’s Provost Monica Lounsbery addresses the Faculty Senate on May 12. Lounsbery discussed the university directive requiring WSU to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programming and funding, as well as pronouns in employee email signatures.

WSU to eliminate DEI programming and funding, tells employees to remove pronouns from email signatures

Allison Campbell and Ainsley Smyth
May 12, 2025
A newly placed stone in Wichita State's Plaza of Heroines honors Mary Nelson, who worked in Special Collections at Ablah Library.

Library colleagues commemorate cornerstone figure with a stone of her own

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
May 12, 2025
SGA Senators are sworn in at the 2025 inauguration. (File photo)

SGA appoints new executive branch members in last meeting before summer

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
May 10, 2025
Social work student Robin Monroe poses for a photo in the Online and Adult Learners office. Monroe said that OAL helped her throughout her time at WSU.

‘Nowhere to go but up’: How a WSU student went from addiction, incarceration and homelessness to crossing the graduation stage

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
May 4, 2025
Social work student Robin Monroe poses for a photo outside Ablah Library. Monroe, an adult learner studying social work, said she spends a lot of time in the library studying as she finishes her bachelor's degree.

Social work student Robin Monroe poses for a photo outside the Online and Adult Learners office. Monroe said that OAL helped her throughout her time at WSU.

Social work student Robin Monroe poses for a photo outside Ablah Library. Monroe, an adult learner studying social work, said she spends a lot of time in the library studying as she finishes her bachelor's degree.

Student Body President Jia Wen Wang addresses the SGA senate in the first meeting of the 68th Session. The April 30 meeting was Wang's very first as student body president.

SGA creates new cabinet position with focus on student engagement with athletics

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
May 2, 2025
Sen. Josh Mallard speaks about the library discarding books and journals. Mallard proposed amendments to help ensure transparency with the library.

WSU Student Senate calls for action over Ablah Library’s discarding of materials

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
May 2, 2025
Newly elected Speaker of the Senate Matthew Phan presents for the speaker of the senate position. Phan was voted in as speaker of the senate at the April 30 meeting.

SGA elects former Vice President Mathew Phan as new Senate speaker

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
May 2, 2025
Senior Audrey Parson rests after running the women's 800 meters on April 11. Parson was WSU's second fastest runner in the women's 800 at the KT Woodman Classic.

‘The hard work is paying off’: Track and field’s Audrey Parson on five years as a Shocker

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
May 1, 2025
Chief Justice Lesly Hernandez swears-in Student Body President Jia Wen Wang.

Wichita State inaugurates new Student Government

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 26, 2025
Student Body President Kylee Hower gives her official farewell to SGA. Hower was granted emeritus status by the Student Senate during the final meeting of the 67th Session.

SGA closes 2024-2025 session with focus on association, campus culture

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 25, 2025
Undergraduate Advocate Annie Wasinger gives her closing remarks at the April 23 meeting, the last of the 67th session.

SGA proposes amendments to Student Bill of Rights

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 25, 2025
Eason Bryer, director of Facilities Services at Wichita State, opens his Earth Day presentation. Bryer discussed they ways WSU is trying to be more sustainable.

Wichita State has a goal of becoming more sustainable, but some challenges have slowed improvements

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 24, 2025
Wallace Hall on Wichita State's campus. (File photo)

Some campus buildings temporarily without water Monday

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 22, 2025
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 screenshot of the virtual town hall with Student Government and university leaders on April 10. Student Body President Kylee Hower and Vice President Mathew Phan posed questions for university President Richard Muma, Provost Monica Lounsbery and Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall.

Budget shortfall, DEI and changes to campus: Here’s what students asked university leadership at a recent town hall

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 13, 2025
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Lesly Hernandez addresses the student body during the State of the Student Body on Sept. 4.

SGA confirms chief justice for second term

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 11, 2025
Student Government Association Sen. Evelyn Lewis answers questions from fellow senators about the resolution she wrote, condemning Russia in its war with Ukraine.

Wichita State Student Senate condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 11, 2025
Treasurer Jia Wen Wang answers questions at Wednesday night's Student Government meeting. Wang told the Senate The Tilford Commition that SGA had been preparing funding for, no longer existed and hadn't since February.

Update: Tilford Commission is WSU entity, not discontinued by KBOR, board representative says

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 10, 2025
One of the computer testing rooms belonging to the Office of Student Accommodations & Testing. The room includes several clocks for student reference and reminders that the room is one under video-surveillance.

OSAT implements new policies amid rise in academic integrity reports

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 10, 2025
Jia Wen Wang and Amy Nguyen smile as the unofficial election results are read on April 9.

Wang, Nguyen win student body president, vice president election in unofficial results

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 9, 2025
Student Government Association Chief Elections Commissioner Bella Kilman announces unofficial results of the 2025 general election.

Student body overwhelmingly votes to allow SGA to appoint senators

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 9, 2025
Parking lot 19E on April 9.

[Photo] Lot 19E by Eck Stadium to partially close Wednesday through Sunday

May 13, 2025
Wichita State University President Richard Muma speaks to the Kansas Board of Regents. (File photo)

Wichita State faces 4-5% budget shortfall, almost 4% tuition increase to follow

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 9, 2025
Wichita State's pickleball courts, recently built in a new location between the Heskett Center and Hubbard Hall on April 9.

[Photo] Pickleball courts to open Thursday

April 9, 2025
Wichita State's pickleball courts, recently built in a new location between the Heskett Center and Hubbard Hall on April 9.

[Photo] Pickleball courts to open Thursday

Megan Bailey, Reporter
April 9, 2025
Anthony Muscat, the new College of Engineering Dean, describes his plans for the university as he settles into his new position at Wichita State on July 29, 2021. (File photo)

Engineering Dean Muscat leaving for provost position at Cal State East Bay

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 8, 2025
A screenshot of the announcement from Wichita State Strategic Communications. The announcement was sent to students on Tuesday morning.

Update: University says Banner enrollment ‘now running smoothly’

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 8, 2025
SGA Sen. Ryan Nuckles gives a farewell speech before the senate. Nuckles was voted in as associate justice with 22 votes yes and one vote to abstain.

‘Better suited’: SGA senator leaves Senate for Supreme Court

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 4, 2025
Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost, speaks about the changes in diversity, equity and inclusion policies on campus.

Wichita State provost on DEI-related changes: ‘We are currently out of compliance’

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 3, 2025
The Kansas State Capitol building. (File photo)

Kansas tenure bill stuck in committee, without enough votes to reach House floor

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 2, 2025
Parking lot 21N, adjacent to the Marcus Welcome Center, will be closed April 1 and 2.

[Photo] Parking lot will close Tuesday and Wednesday

Sophia Best, Reporter
March 31, 2025
Chairperson Adriana Owens, the parking resolution's primary sponsor, explains amendments made to the act during the March 26 Student Senate meeting.

Student Government asks for more leniency in parking enforcement on campus

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 29, 2025
Student Body President Kylee Hower listens to a speaker during the March 26 Student Senate Meeting. Hower introduced the legislation that provided funding for the ADHD, autism and learning disability scholarship.

SGA authorizes funding for ADHD, autism and learning disability testing scholarship

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 27, 2025
Senators listen to deliberations on the allocation of student fee funding during the Student Senate meeting on March 26.

Student Senate passes preliminary student fees funding, adds $9,000 for Tilford Commission

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 27, 2025
The lower level of Ablah Library after most of the carpet was removed due to flooding.

‘We’re lucky’: Ablah faces unknown timeline for restoration following flood

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 27, 2025
Monica Lounsbery, the recently named senior executive vice president and provost for Wichita State, introduces herself to the Faculty Senate on Jan. 13. Lounsbery recently released information about how DEI changes are impacting WSU.

Provost, vice president for Student Affairs release statements about how WSU is handling federal DEI changes

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 26, 2025
Parking Lot 5 on Wichita State's campus on March 25.

[Photo] Lot 5 along 21st Street to close over the weekend

April 10, 2025
Wichita community memebrs listen to religious leaders speak at a prayer vigil. The vigil was held to mourn those who lost their lives in the 5342 crash on Wedneday Jan. 30.

Here’s what investigators have released so far about the crash of Flight 5342 that took off from Wichita

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 24, 2025
A Wichita State University police car parked on campus (file photo)

‘Suspicious device’ that caused bomb threat alert near campus was crashed drone

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 21, 2025
(Photo courtesy of Brent Mai)

Update: Ablah library remains open, lower level closed for “foreseeable future”

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 20, 2025
Ablah Library on March 17.

Parts of Ablah Library closed due to flooding, will reopen Tuesday

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 17, 2025
Speaker of the Student Senate Victoria Owens speaks in affirmation of an act creating a scholarship to help students get tested for ADHD, autism or learning disabilities at a meeting on March 12.

SGA creates fund to help students obtain ADHD, autism or learning disability diagnoses

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 15, 2025
Sen. Cynthia Pizzini voices her opinion on the Accommodations and Professor Accountability Resolution during a Senate meeting on Wednesday, March 12. Pizzini spoke in favor, saying it would help students.

Student Senate unanimously calls for ‘professor accountability’ in honoring accommodations

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 14, 2025
Senators vote on legislation at Tuesday nights meeting. This was an emergency meeting regarding a $900,000 deficit in student fees to fund services and organizations.

Miscalculated: Student Government faces student fees shortfall for 2025 and 2026. Here’s what we know.

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 13, 2025
Senior Vice President for Administration, Finance and Operations David Miller answers questions about the 2026 $900,000 budget shortfall. Miller was named CFO on March 10.

David Miller named Wichita State’s CFO

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 10, 2025
(Illustration)

What we know so far about federal policies surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion — and how Wichita State is handling them

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 7, 2025
Senators vote on legislation at Tuesday nights meeting. This was an emergency meeting regarding a $900,000 deficit in student fees to fund services and organizations.

Student Senate allows for extra funding in response to student fees shortfall

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 5, 2025
Grace Outwater and Mark Barlow hold signs during the March 3 protest. Barlow is a former Wichita State Student Government senator.

Campus visit by Sen. Jerry Moran draws anti-Trump protesters

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 4, 2025
Sen. Andrew Bobbitt , a member of the Student Fees Commission, speaks at the commission's first hearing to decide student fee allocations. After the committee learned of a shortfall in funding, the hearing was rescheduled for Wednesday, March 3.

Students might pay more fees and see cuts to services next year due to decreased full-time enrollment

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 3, 2025
Red papers in the Shocker Success Center and other campus locations outline how people should interact with ICE agents.

[Photo] ICE agents now allowed on college campuses; what resources do students have?

Sophia Best, Reporter
February 27, 2025
Illustration

‘Disregard for animal welfare’: Documents detail how WSU researcher violated lab animal protocol

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
February 27, 2025
Speaker of the Student Senate Victoria Owens explains the constitutional amendment she introduced to the senate Feb. 12. The amendment would end the practice of appointing interim senators who must be confirmed to their seat by a vote from their constituents.

Student Senate moves to allow appointment of senators

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
February 22, 2025
SGA Sen. Hatch introduces his resolution, "Ice out ICE," to the Student Senate.

Student Government Association Senate calls for Wichita State to ‘Ice out ICE’

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
February 22, 2025
Kyan Tenpenny, mechanical engineering major, and Damyin Allmond, aerospace engineering major, walk on campus together.

Wichita State moves to remote operations on Feb. 18

Ainsley Smyth and Allison Campbell
February 17, 2025
Photo courtesy of Wichita State University.

Ben Stein cancels Wichita State visit

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
February 17, 2025
Chase Billingham, an at-large faculty senator at Wichita State, speaks at a Faculty Senate meeting on Feb. 10. Senators expressed their concern regarding the recently proposed Kansas House Bill No. 2348.

A Kansas House bill would transform tenure. Many in higher education worry about its potential implications.

Sophia Best and Ainsley Smyth
February 12, 2025
Alejandra Campoverdi a Harvard graduate discussed her memoir "First Gen." Wichita State hosted Campoverdi on Feb. 5 for a book talk.

[Photo] ‘Spaces between’: Former White House staff member shares stories and advice from award-winning memoir ‘First Gen’

Kass Lewis, Reporter
February 9, 2025
Wichita State Foundation President Telly McGaha speaks at an event to announce a $2.5 million donation for the Wichita Biomedical Campus from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.

[Photo] Blue Cross and Blue Shield donates $2.5 million for Wichita Biomedical Campus, WSU nursing scholarships

February 11, 2025
Wichita State Foundation President Telly McGaha speaks at an event to announce a $2.5 million donation for the Wichita Biomedical Campus from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield donates $2.5 million for Wichita Biomedical Campus, WSU nursing scholarships

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
February 11, 2025
(Courtesy of The Wichita Eagle)

Connie Morris, former Elliott faculty, dies at 82

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
February 10, 2025
Kiah Duggins (Photo courtesy of Harvard Law School)

‘She didn’t hesitate’: Kiah Duggins’ lasting impact on Wichita State and beyond

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
February 6, 2025
The ground floor of Shocker Hall Building C is flooded in water on Feb. 1 (Courtesy of Emma May).

Water line breaks in Shocker Hall — about 20 students affected, Housing says

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
February 4, 2025
The Omega Delta Phi table at the involvement fair in the RSC on Jan. 30.

Knights ride in: New fraternity joins Wichita State’s Greek life

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
January 30, 2025
SGA Senators raise their hands for a vote. (File photo)

Student body president race opens, SGA elections will be in April

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
January 30, 2025
At-large Sen. Chase Billingham discusses the proposed inclement weather policy at the Faculty Senate meeting on Jan. 13. The faculty forum later sent the proposed policy to a sub-committee for further review.

Faculty and administration struggle to agree on inclement weather policy

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
January 23, 2025
Navigating registration: Inconsistent enrollment strategies create frustration for students

Navigating registration: Inconsistent enrollment strategies create frustration for students

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
January 23, 2025
Chief of Staff and Executive Director of Government Relations Zach Gearhart delivers an update on the Kansas Legislatures on Jan. 17.

Gov. Laura Kelly recommends more funding for Kansas universities

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
January 22, 2025
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