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
Allison Campbell

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief

Allison Campbell was the editor-in-chief of The Sunflower during the 2024-2025 year. Campbell is a senior pursuing a journalism and media production degree with a minor in English. She served as one of the news editors during the 2023-2024 year. Campbell hopes to pursue a career in writing or editing after graduation. Campbell uses she/her pronouns.
All content by Allison Campbell
Allison Campbell walks up to accept her award in editorial writing during the 2024 Kansas Collegiate Media conference.

Campbell: In the end, it’s the people who matter most

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
May 14, 2025
Beadworker Michelle Conine helps Araylius Coronado tie off his spiral stitch bracelet during the beadworking class on May 1. The event was one of four collaborative beadworking sessions hosted by the Indigenous Student Collective and the Office of Student Engagement & Belonging.

Healing, crafting and connection — all in one bracelet.

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
May 14, 2025
Biological sciences Office Coordinator Marcia Norton adds another stitch to her spiral bracelet. Norton and her friend, professor Moira Beck, enjoy crafting together.

Araylius Coronado, an electtrical engineering student, puts beads through his needle while attending the Indigenous Student Collective's spiral stitch class. Coronado is of Otoe-Missouria descent.

Biological sciences Office Coordinator Marcia Norton adds another stitch to her spiral bracelet. Norton and her friend, professor Moira Beck, enjoy crafting together.

Lisa Oldham's peyote stitch sits on a table in room 258 in the Rhatigan Student Center while she works on her newest stitch, the spiral stitch. Oldham attended the previous Indigenous Student Collectve beadworking class as well as the one that was most recently held on May 1.

Marcia Norton, an office doordinator for the Department of Biological Sciences, works on her spiral stitch bracelet while attending the ISC's beadworking event. The class was held on May 1 and taught by local beadworker Michelle Conine.

Moriah Beck, a chemistry and biochemistry professor, works on her spirial stitch bead bracelet during the Indigenous Student Collective's class on May 1. The class was one of four hosted by the ISC over the last semester.

Lisa Oldham looks at beadworker Michelle Conine's projection of a spiral stitch during the Indigenous Student Collective's class on May 1. Oldham also brought her tubular peyote stitch from the last class, held on April 17.

Holly Byers, a Choctaw and Chickasaw Nation community member, adds a stitch to her spirial stitch bracelet. Byers took up beading to reconnect with her culture and to maintain sobriety. "I bead to stay sober," Byers said.

Moriah Beck, a chemistry and biochemistry professor, cuts a string on her spiral stitch bracelet. Beck and her friend, biological sciences Office Coordinator Marcia Norton, enjoy crafting together and attended the May 1 class held in the Rhatigan Student Center.

Destiny Summers, a Wichita State student, gets help from beadworker Michelle Conine during the Indigenous Student Collective's spiral stitch beadwork class on May 1. Attendees were given the supplies and instructions to create their spiral stitch bracelets.

Michelle Conine, a local beadworker and metal worker, leads a group of WSU students, faculty, staff and community members in a spiral stitch class. Conine often leads beadworking classes at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum and has lead four classes on campus this semester.

Members of the Indigenous Student Collective participate in a spiral stich beadwork class led by local beadworker Michelle Conine. The class was one of four hosted in the Rhatigan Student Center this semester in which participants could learn different beadwork styles.

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
Courtney Lockhart, a member of Student Outreach & Support and CARE TEAM, leads a line of dinosaurs out of Shocker Hall. The group of dinosaur-dressed support staff shared positive messages and words of encouragement during their pop-up Prehistoric Pep Rally on May 6.

PHOTOS: Fossils fueling up for finals

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
May 8, 2025
Two students smile as they snap a selfie with members of Wichita State's student support, success and library services. The staff members handed out affirming cards and danced outside Ablah Library to cheer up students before finals week.

Sara Leftwich, an employee with the Shocker Career Accelerator waves a sign while dancing to motivate students before finals week. Leftwich was one of five dancing dinos who danced outside of Ablah Library on Tuesday, May 7.

Success Coach Caitlin Bruner, while dressed in a dinosaur costume, gives a note with a positive affirmation on it to a student during the Prehistoric Pep Rally on Tuesday. Bruner was inspired to host the pop-up event after accidently dressing like Waldo from "Where's Waldo." She and other support and service sttaff wanted to dress as something fun for students to find ahead of finals week.

A student accepts an affirmation card from Sara Leftwich, a program specialist with the Shocker Career Accelerator. Leftwich and other student support and services staff dressed in inflatable dinosaur costumes on Tuesday, May 6, for the Prehistoric Pep-Rally.

Dressed in a dinosaur mask and wielding a motivational sign, Assessment and User Experience Librarian Sara Rue roars like a dinosaur. Rue's mask made a dinosaur sound when she opened the mouth.

Courtney Lockhart, a member of Student Outreach & Support and CARE TEAM, leads a line of dinosaurs toward the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College and Shocker Hall. The group of dinosaur-dressed support and success staff shared positive messages and words of encouragement during their pop-up Prehistoric Pep Rally on May 6.

Raven Garrison, an adviser with OneStop, hands a student a card with affirmations while dressed as a dinosaur. Garrison and other student success staff danced and handed out more than 80 compliment cards to students preparing for finals week.

Two freshmen accept affirmation and motivation cards from Ablah Library and Student Success services staff during the Prehistoric Pep Rally on May 6. The pop-up event was held outside Ablah Library and around the Student Success Center to encourage students and wish them luck ahead of final exams.

Sara Leftwich, a program specialist with the Shocker Career Accelerator, dances with history student Wyatt Barmann during the Prehistoric Pep Rally outside of Ablah Library. Leftwich, dressed in an inflatable dinosaur costume, boogied with other support service staff and paraded around campus on May 6 to motivate students ahead of finals week.

Lynn Tran and Cardin Nguyen brace themselves as they have a cooler of water dumped on their heads. The pair were the last to be dunked at the ASC fundraising event.

PHOTOS: Asian Student Conference ends the semester with a splash

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
May 4, 2025
A group of visiting students take turns throwing the ball for the last dunk of the day at the ASC fundraiser on April 29.

Jacob Inthirath, a member of the Asian Student Conference, throws a ball at the dunk tank target during the group's fundraiser outside the RSC. Students could pay $2 for one throw, $3 for two throws or $5 for a guaranteed dunk.

Lynn Tran, a second year health science student, brushes her hair out of her face after being dunked at the ASC fundraiser outside the RSC.

Lynn Tran, a second year health science student, is doused in water outside the Rhatigan Student Center. Tran participated in the Asian Student Conference's fundraiser on April 29.

Logan Roberts laughs after being doused in water at the Asian Student Conference fundraiser outside the RSC on April 29. "This is torture," Roberts said.

Nicholas Le gasps for air after being dunked in water at the Asian Student Conference fundraiser on April 29. Le was dunked several times during the end-of-the-semester event.

Megan Ta redirects a Starship delivery robot driving through the ASC's fundraising event outside the RSC.

Nicholas Le is drenched in water by Jacob Inthirath at the Asian Student Conference's fundraising event outside the Rhatigan Student Center. The group sold Spam musubi, Thai tea and throws for a dunking station as part of an end-of-the-year fundraiser.

Cardin Nguyen, a cabinet member of the Asian Student Conference, is doused in water during the group's fundraiser. The Asian Student Conference aims to support Wichita State students and share Asian culture.

Arib Khan, a first year computer science student, pours icy water from a cooler into a dunk tank bucket during the Asian Student Conference's fundraiser on April 29. Khan refilled the bucket each time an ASC cabinet was doused with water.

Thao Pham, a third year student studying business administration, is doused in water at the ASC fundraiser outside the RSC. Pham was dunked several times during the two hour event.

Megan Ta, a senior mechanical engineering student, gets a bucket of water dumped on her head during the Asian Student Conference fundraiser on April 29. Members of the student organization sold Spam musubi, Thai tea and the opportunity to dunk a ASC cabinet member.

Amy Nguyen serves thai tea during the Asian Student Conference fundraiser on April 29. ASC sold Thai tea, Spam musubi and balls to dunk ASC cabinet members to raise money for the group.

Members of the ASC executive board laugh while dishing up Spam musubi and Thai tea. The group hosted an end-of-the-year fundraiser outside the Rhatigan Student Center on April 29.

A student bites into Spam musubi, a snack made of Spam and rice, at the Asian Student Conference fundraiser on April 29. The group sold Spam musubi, Thai tea and balls to throw at a dunk tank.

Dean of University Libraries Brent Mai speaks at a campus visit prior to being hired at WSU in 2023 (File photo).

History or copyright infringement?: Wichita State’s dean of libraries sued for use of German genealogy work

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
April 30, 2025
Josiah Titus, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, falls to the ground after being tossed from his chair. In the fraternity's performance, Titus and AJ Haynes are sent to detention and try to get kicked out by being too loud.

PHOTOS: Shockers showcase talents in the Shock the Yard Step Show

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
April 29, 2025
Sarah Beth Estes presents to Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty and staff on March 31. "So the ‘Why Wichita?’ is because Wichita State; that's just the answer to that. And there is no parallel, I think. It's not like I want to join an institution like yours. It's that yours is the only one like this," Estes said.

Sarah Beth Estes named as new Fairmount College dean

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
April 28, 2025
WSU Student Delaney Jones asks a number of questions about the Ablah Library's management of its collection. While the event covered a number of topics, collection management was by far discussed the most.

‘We shouldn’t have to be in a dumpster’: WSU faculty and students react to trashed books and primary sources

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
April 28, 2025
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
(Photo illustration)

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

Riley Sipes, Reporter
April 17, 2025
Elections Commissioner Natalie Benjamin reads unofficial election results on April 9.

Thousands of students turn out in senator elections, several seats still left vacant

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
April 10, 2025
Jia Wen Wang and Amy Nguyen smile for a photo in the office where they shared their first hug. Wang is running for student body president and Nguyen is running for vice president.

Wang, Nguyen build on friendship in Student Government campaign

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
April 7, 2025
Course Materials Manager Lisa Fitzsimmons flips through the pages of the display journal in the basement of the Shocker Store. Fitzsimmons introduced the sample journal in 2023 after learning about the merits and popularity of journaling.

Scribbles, sketches and signatures: make your mark in a Shocker Store journal

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
April 4, 2025
Team 4 members Anubhav Pant, Pedro Cupertino and Yuto Minami carry their Aerospace Design II plane to the testing area during the practice flight session on March 19. Students in the class are required to build a plane and test it over three different flight test days before submitting their planes for a final flight in the Bronze Propeller competition.

PHOTOS: Engineering students’ work takes to the sky

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
April 4, 2025
(Photo illustration)

Eitle, Eichhorn and Estes: Three candidates vie for liberal arts and sciences dean position

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
April 3, 2025
Kodi Baxter and other winners of Shockers Got Talent smile for photos after being awarded their prizes. Baxter won first place with her original house song, "I Never Could Let Anyone In."

A contestant of the intermission game "The Price is Right" holds up a teddy bear after guessing its price. The gameshow activity was hosted while judges determined the winners of Shockers Got Talent.

A contestant of the intermission game "The Price is Right" uncertainly holds up her white board. Four contestants tried to guess the price of a foam finger from the Shocker Store.

Dressed in leapord print, senior Evelyn Ochoa sings Cil's "Bloodsucker" at Shockers Got Talent. Ochoa won third place and a cash prize of $500 for her cover of the song.

Skylar Isenegger's father records his daughters performance during the Shockers Got Talent show on March 28. Isenegger performed in the talent competition last year and took home second place.

Skylar Isenegger, the lead singer of Skyler and the Strings, sings her original song "The Person You've Become." Isenegger performed at last year's Shockers Got Talent show as a solo singer and pianist.

Kodi Baxter performs her original house song "I Never Could Let Anyone In" at Shockers Got Talent. Baxter won first place, leaving the CAC Theater with a $1,000 prize.

Toomaj Amiri, a graduate research assistant at Wichita State University, sings Faramarz Aslani's "Age Ye Rooz." Amiri said he dreams of become Iran's next singing star.

Singer and guitarist Noah Carter performs an original song, "All of Me" at Shockers Got Talent. Carter is a second time performer at the Student Activities Council event and won the People's Choice Award last year.

Best friends and members of Neighbors with Guitars Hannah Schwemmer and Kennedy Fisher perform to Schwemmer's original song, "If You Buy Me Flowers." The performance marked the first time the duo has publicly performed the song.

Taylor Sims sings "Listen" by Beyoncé at the March 26 Shockers Got Talent show. Sims is from Kansas City, and has participated in gospel choirs and used the Student Activities Council event to showcase her solo singing skills.

Kass Lewis belts a note of RAYE's "Oscar Winning Tears" during the Shockers Got Talent show on March 28. Lewis, the fifth performer of the night, won second place in the competition.

A member of KVersity, a group that focuses on Korean pop and hip hop, strikes a pose while dancing to GOT7's "Lullaby." The group's dance routine was met with roaring applause and cheers from the audience.

Beyonce Jani, an international student from Zimbabwe, performs John Legend's "All of Me" at Shockers Got Talent. Jani won the People's Choice Award, which is awarded based on audience votes.

Kailer Megrail sings Stephen Schwartz's "No Good Deed," as performed in Broadway musical Wicked. Megrail brought a "spellbook" to read Elphaba's encantations.

Sena strikes a final pose after singing Ariana Grande's "Popular" during Shockers Got Talent on March 28. Sena was the first of 12 performers to compete in the show.

Dressed in leapord print, senior Evelyn Ochoa sings Cil's "Bloodsucker" at Shockers Got Talent. Ochoa won third place and a cash prize of $500 for her cover of the song.

PHOTOS: WSU students showcase their skills in Shockers Got Talent

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
March 31, 2025
The desks of the Kansas Board of Regents members during their meeting hosted on May 15, 2024 in Topeka.

[Photo] OPINION: Colleges need to have DEI policies

Kami Steinle, Reporter
March 25, 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.

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

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
March 27, 2025
A sign informs visitors in the Duerksen Fine Arts Center that the elevator is closed.

[Photo] Elevator in Duerksen Fine Arts Center closed until further notice

Megan Bailey, Reporter
March 22, 2025
Student Government Association adviser Gabriel Fonseca addresses the Student Senate on March 4. This meeting was held in emergency due to the $900,000 deficit in student fees.

Campus groups, programs react to slashed funding

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
March 13, 2025
Program Director of the Master of Arts in Arts Leadership and Management provides advice to a group of students as they work on a composition project. Through her position, Banke trains and develops the next generation of musical artisits.

[Photo] Former oboe professor contemplates occupation switch after career-ending injury

Maleah Evans, Arts and Culture Editor
March 2, 2025
Microphones reserved for Student Government Assocation senators sit unused during the Student Senate meeting on April 10.

‘This is their livelihood’: Task force works to build disability protections into WSU

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
March 6, 2025
(Graphic)

Half as many fans in the stands: Athletic attendance dwindles over past decade

Allison Campbell and Jacob Unruh
February 27, 2025
Participants of the Wichita State Engineering 5k Run/Walk take off outside of the John Bardo Center. The 5k took runners around campus — from Shocker Hall to Hyatt Place — during the annual event.

PHOTOS: Shockers and local community members brave the cold for annual engineering 5K

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
February 25, 2025
Max Lazzo leads the Wichita State Engineering 5K Run/Walk, hosted on Feb. 22. Lazzo finished the race in first place with a chip time of 18:07, more than 30 seconds faster than the second place runner.

Spencer Merrill, a Wichita State student, fastens his bib to his jacket ahead of the Wichita State Engineering 5K Run/Walk. The annual event raised money for College of Engineering need-based scholarships. Run/Walk. The annual event raised money for College of Engineering need-based scholarships.

Racers gather at the start of the Wichita State Eningeering 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Feb. 24. More than 100 students, faculty, staff and community members particpated in the annual race held to raise money for need-based financial aid for WSU engineering students.

More than 100 students, faculty, staff and community members wait for the start of the annual Wichita State Engineering 5K Run/Walk. The temperature around the start of the race was 13 degrees Fahrenheit.

Participants of the Wichita State Engineering 5K Run/Walk take off outside of the John Bardo Center. The 5K took runners around campus — from Shocker Hall to Hyatt Place — during the annual event.

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
Taylre McPherson and Allison Jabara hold a sign at the Wichita Ice Center vigil. McPherson and Jabara are members of the Wichita Figure Skating Club.

‘They were kind of our babies’: Development camp coach, figure skating community left devastated by Flight 5342 crash

Allison Campbell and Maleah Evans
February 7, 2025
Courtesy of Cedarville University

Faith community mourns loss of Grace Maxwell

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
February 5, 2025
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu speaks to Wichita crowd during a prayer vigil. The vigil was held on Thursday, Jan. 31 to mourn victims of the Flight 5342 crash.

‘A horrible tragedy’: Wichita community gathers to mourn the lives lost in Flight 5342

Allison Campbell and Maleah Evans
January 30, 2025
A couple who attended the Jan. 30 vigil for the Flight 5342 crash victims bow their head in prayer. Several local priests, pastors, rabbis and other religious leaders spoke and gave prayers during the Thursday afternoon ceremony.

Neshia Greene poses near the sinkhole she said she fell into in December.

University employee considers legal action after falling in unmarked hole

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief
January 30, 2025
Gage Brown lifts and carries Oona Brown during the U.S qualifying competition. The siblings earned a total score of 193.37.

PHOTOS: 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Kristy Mace and Allison Campbell
January 29, 2025
Championship women competitor Sherry Zhang twists mid-air during her Short Program performance. Zhang placed fifth with a score of 67.42.

Josephine Lee performs a catch-foot camel spin during the Championship Women / Short Program competition on Jan. 23. Lee finished in 10th place with a score of 60.10.

Bradie Tennell glides across the ice on Jan. 23 during the Championship Women / Short Program competition. Tennell placed second with a final score of 71.23.

Ting Cui of the Baltimore Figure Skating Club glides around the rink during her Short Program performance. Cui placed 18th with a final score of 43.94.

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