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The Sunflower
Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower
Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower
Matthew Kelly

Matthew Kelly, Former Editor in Chief

Matthew Kelly is a former editor-in-chief and managing editor for The Sunflower. Kelly graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in communication. He went on to work as a reporter for The Wichita Eagle.

All content by Matthew Kelly
(Courtesy of The Wichita Eagle)

What’s next for Wichita’s housing market? Here’s what buyers, sellers can expect in 2024

Matthew Kelly, The Wichita Eagle
October 6, 2023
MyWSU login opened on a computer. (File photo)

Finals prep week upended as Wichita State server outage limits access to key functions

Matthew Kelly, The Wichita Eagle
May 1, 2023
WSU professor champions legislation ensuring Kansas hospitals have qualified interpreters

WSU professor champions legislation ensuring Kansas hospitals have qualified interpreters

Matthew Kelly, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
February 20, 2021
What to know about the COVID vaccine in Sedgwick County

What to know about the COVID vaccine in Sedgwick County

Matthew Kelly, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
February 4, 2021
Chris McGathy, a case manager at the Union Rescue Mission, takes the temperature of people coming in for a meal at the facility June 2.

Wichita’s homeless providers navigate congregate living in age of social distancing

Matthew Kelly, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
June 9, 2020
Madeline Deabler poses outside in Herman Hill Park.

[Photo] Farewell from Deabler: For all the people who have changed my life at Wichita State…

Madeline Deabler, Advertising Manager
May 9, 2020
Managing editor and former editor in chief Matthew Kelly poses outside of Elliott Hall 20 minutes before deadline.

Farewell from Kelly: Keep seeking truth, holding power accountable

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
May 7, 2020
WuShock wears a cap and gown at last May’s LAS commencement ceremony.

‘The way you’ve imagined it — it’s just not going to end like that’: Class of 2020 prepares for an uncertain future

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
April 21, 2020
Gov. Laura Kelly at her daily COVID-19 press briefing Wednesday.

BREAKING: Gov. Kelly extends stay-at-home order through May 3

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
April 15, 2020
Provost Rick Muma speaks during the last weekly briefing of the semester at the Rhatigan Student Center on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Muma: Tuition hike, furloughs on the table for WSU employees in the wake of COVID-19

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
April 14, 2020
The Wichita State Faculty Senate held a Zoom meeting on Monday, April 13.

Faculty Senate recommends students get to choose between credit/no credit or letter grades

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
April 14, 2020
Wichita State sophomore Sydney Wyatt (left) poses with her family. Wyatt recently returned from studying abroad at the University of Chester in England.

WSU student returning from study abroad finally gets to hug family after self-isolation

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
April 4, 2020
WSU to convert all summer courses to online/remote format

WSU to convert all summer courses to online/remote format

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
April 3, 2020
Voting generic

Kansas Democrats officially switch to mail ballots for presidential primary

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
March 30, 2020
File graphic

WSU purchases 150 mobile hotspots for students without internet access

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
March 18, 2020
Sophomore Elijah Maples reads his textbook in the 24 hour study room in Ablah Library.

‘We can’t get into a situation where they’re coming back’: Students who rely on WSU WiFi may have to get creative or drop classes

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
March 17, 2020
File photo, Ablah Library, 2017

No, your in-person instructor can’t make you take an online midterm this week

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
March 15, 2020
Interim Chief Information Officer David Miller speaks about supplying students and faculty with laptops as classes switch to an online-only structure. Miller spoke to The Sunflower on Friday, March 13.

WSU is stocking up on devices, but what if you don’t have access to Wifi?: ‘We don’t have any way to address that’

Matthew Kelly and Audrey Korte
March 14, 2020
Daria Moore, a freshman studying biological sciences and graphic design, draws using a laptop during the LGBT self-care event on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Wichita State canceling in-person classes next week; converting to online-only after break

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
March 12, 2020
The Flats is a private apartment complex located on Innovation Campus.

Off-campus housing costs hundreds less per month than WSU options

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
March 5, 2020
Evergy is funding a substation and solar panels on the John Bardo Center.

[Photo] Evergy brings solar panels and substation to campus for faculty, student research

Audrey Korte, Reporter
March 2, 2020
File graphic

Check out what each WSU org is requesting in student fees for next year

Matthew Kelly and Kylie Cameron
February 27, 2020
Community members participate in a small-group discussion on immigration during the Journal Talk event held at the Kansas Leadership Center on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Kansas Leadership Center strives for civility in immigration debate

Blake Kenneson and Matthew Kelly
February 24, 2020
1 in 8 new WSU students complete sexual assault prevention training required at KU, K-State

1 in 8 new WSU students complete sexual assault prevention training required at KU, K-State

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
February 19, 2020
Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Combating Human Trafficing Karen Countryman-Roswurm speaks to a writer from The Sunflower in 2019 about the importance of giving students the opportunity to work with victims directly during an interview in Lindquist Hall.

WSU: CCHT is not a confidential resource for discussing Title IX incidents

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
February 15, 2020
Neil Terry, mayor of Geuda Springs, Kansas, and Wichita State sophomore, stands next to the Geuda Springs (population 185) town sign.

And you thought you were busy: Sophomore mayor of Geuda Springs embraces the ‘balancing act’

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
February 10, 2020
Shining a light on Title IX

Shining a light on Title IX

Matthew Kelly and Kylie Cameron
February 6, 2020
Steve Arnold

Steve Arnold appointed Health Professions interim dean

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
February 3, 2020
Former College of Health Professions Dean Sandra Bibb, cheers during the Clash of the Colleges on Aug. 23 at Cessna Stadium. Bibb abruptly resigned earlier this month.

Dean Bibb’s sudden resignation leaves lingering questions

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
January 27, 2020
Wichita State President Jay Golden does the YMCA dance at the grand opening of the Steve Clark YMCA and Student Wellness Center on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Grand opening showcases Steve Clark YMCA and Student Wellness Center

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
January 22, 2020
Jay Golden, the new president of Wichita State University, gives his first public address to the university on Thursday, Golden, formerly a vice chancellor at East Carolina University, was selected by the Kansas Board of Regents in a closed search process.

Golden changing administrative structure, creating task forces to strengthen shared governance

Kylie Cameron and Matthew Kelly
January 21, 2020
Brandon Whipple is sworn in as the 102nd Mayor of Wichita on Monday, Jan. 13 at City Hall.

Brandon Whipple sworn in as Mayor of Wichita

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
January 13, 2020
'Those are for Y members only': Students who park at new YMCA will be ticketed

‘Those are for Y members only’: Students who park at new YMCA will be ticketed

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
January 13, 2020
Protesters argue with officers about if they have to move from in front of the Law Enforcement Training Center ahead of Attorney General Bill Barr's October visit. Protesters were ultimately allowed to stay.

Watchdog group gives WSU worst possible campus free speech rating

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
December 4, 2019
Courtesy of NetApp

NetApp considering move to Innovation Campus

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
November 21, 2019
File graphic

Microcredentials drive WSU’s international student enrollment gains

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
November 17, 2019
Faculty vote on a proposed gen ed revision at the General Faculty meeting on Nov. 11 in the CAC Theater.

Faculty give final approval to gen ed credit hour cutback

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
November 12, 2019
Steve Clark, chair of WSU's 2019 presidential search committee, speaks in June at a public forum on the presidential search. Four forums were held in the RSC to gather feedback on the presidential search.

Clark: No women, at least 1 person of color among presidential finalists

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
November 6, 2019
Brandon Whipple speaks to local news reporters during his watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at Headshots Bar and Grill.

Whipple victorious in hard-fought mayoral contest

Audrey Korte and Matthew Kelly
November 6, 2019
Deantoni Gordon poses at media day in October.

DeAntoni Gordon looks to harness explosiveness

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
November 5, 2019
Wichita State freshman Grant Sherfield reacts to a foul call during the Black and Yellow Scrimmage last month inside Charles Koch Arena.

Freshman Grant Sherfield brings ‘complete game’ back to hometown

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
November 5, 2019
Wichita State freshman DJ McCarty dribbles the basketball during the Black and Yellow Scrimmage last month inside Charles Koch Arena.

Freshman guard DJ McCarty aspires to be ‘defensive stopper’

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
November 5, 2019
Faculty Senate approves gen ed cut; general faculty to vote next month

Faculty Senate approves gen ed cut; general faculty to vote next month

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 30, 2019
Morrison Hall on the campus of Wichita State University.

Regents to name new Wichita State president Thursday

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 29, 2019
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sits down for an interview with The Sunflower on Friday as part of his visit to Wichita State University for a roundtable on business. The former U.S. Representative for Kansas' 4th District visited Kansas with Ivanka Trump this week, touring WSU Tech and Textron Aviation East.

Full transcript: Q&A with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 25, 2019
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sits down for an interview with The Sunflower on Friday as part of his visit to Wichita State University for a roundtable on business. The former U.S. Representative for Kansas' 4th District visited Kansas with Ivanka Trump this week, touring WSU Tech and Textron Aviation East.

Pompeo offers reserved vote of confidence in top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 25, 2019
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo laughs Thursday during a tour of Textron Aviation East. He and Ivanka Trump visited the site as part of their trip to Wichita on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019.

Secretary of state’s campus visit requires meticulous planning

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 24, 2019
Mike Pompeo meets with The Sunflower in November 2016. At the time, Pompeo, who is now U.S. Secretary of State, was a Kansas congressman.

Mike Pompeo to visit Wichita State Friday

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 21, 2019
Members of the Kansas Board of Regents congregate before they interview finalists for the next Wichita State president. The interviews are being held at a Marriott Hotel at the Kansas City Airport.

Closed search winds down: Regents search for a president who will ‘fully implement’ Bardo’s vision

Matthew Kelly and Kylie Cameron
October 20, 2019
Kansas Rep. Brandon Whipple answers a question at a student-led forum.

Whipple rebukes anonymous accusations of harassment

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 17, 2019
Andy Hurt

Strategic Communication employee died Wednesday

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 11, 2019
WSUPD vehicles surround the perimeter of Morrison Hall late Wednesday evening.

WSUPD confirms death in Morrison Hall

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 10, 2019
Liberal arts and sciences dean Andrew Hippisley speaks at the rededication of Fiske Hall on May 3, 2019.

LAS dean: Preserving gen ed goals more important than preserving credit hours

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 9, 2019
File graphic

WSU reports 0.99% enrollment increase; overall enrollment slightly down at state universities

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 2, 2019
A protester displays a sign with a cartoonish depiction of President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr on Oct. 2 at the Law Enforcement Training Center. There was a roundtable event held in the training center which Barr attended.

Protesters argue with officers about if they have to move from in front of the Law Enforcement Training Center ahead of Attorney General Bill Barr's October visit. Protesters were ultimately allowed to stay.

[Photo] EDITORIAL: WSU free speech policies need a revamp

March 11, 2020
U.S. Attorney General William Barr speaks on the reduction of violent crime in Wichita, Kansas, on Oct. 2 during a visit to the Wichita State Law Enforcement Training Center alongside Sen. Jerry Moran.

Sen. Moran: Impeachment talk is ‘pulling us apart further’

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 2, 2019
Attorney General William P. Barr

Attorney General William Barr to visit Wichita State Wednesday

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
October 1, 2019
Faculty Senate renews debate over dropping 3 gen ed classes

Faculty Senate renews debate over dropping 3 gen ed classes

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
September 24, 2019
File graphic

Regents request state support in effort to keep tuition flat again

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
September 23, 2019
Wichita State's Garrett Kocis attempts to pick off a Nebraska player during the scrimmage held at Eck Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019.

Shocker rally falls short in scrimmage loss to Nebraska

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
September 21, 2019
(Left to right) Kansas Regents Mark Hutton, Helen Van Etten and Ann Brandau-Murguia

Regents disclose potential conflicts of interest

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
September 19, 2019
LAS Sen. Rija Khan speaks at the Wednesday SGA meeting. She and Sen. Zachary James presented a resolution to condemn a bias incident that occurred Saturday at a Greek life event.

SGA passes resolution disavowing discrimination, standing with underrepresented students

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
September 19, 2019
Sigma Lambda Beta’s stone is located at the Multicultural Greek Council Quad in front of Clinton Hall. The fraternity said Monday it’s filing a bias report after an incident over the weekend.

[Photo] Sigma Lambda Beta files bias report after ‘racially motivated’ incident

Kylie Cameron, Editor in Chief
September 16, 2019
The Bill and Dorothy Cohen Honors College opened doors to its renovated space Friday at an open house. Students say it gives them a special place to hang out and study.

Honors College opens doors to renovated space in Shocker Hall

Matthew Kelly and Daniel Caudill
September 16, 2019
This week in brief (Sept. 16)

This week in brief (Sept. 16)

Daniel Caudill and Matthew Kelly
September 16, 2019
Aleks Sternfeld-Dunn, director of the WSU School of Music, speaks at the first Faculty Senate meeting of the fall semester. He said the school could use more flexibility in designing degree programs.

Faculty Senate hears proposal to drop gen ed credit hour minimum from 42 to 33

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
September 10, 2019
File graphic

This week in brief

Daniel Caudill and Matthew Kelly
September 9, 2019
File graphic

WSU settles for $50,000 with former professor candidate who sued for pregnancy discrimination 

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
August 28, 2019
Student Marcus Ang studies Sunday evening at the 24-hour Ablah Library study room. Renovation is set to begin on the room soon.

WSU moving forward with Ablah 24-hour study room expansion, select referendum projects

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
August 26, 2019
Interim President Andy Tompkins talks about the future of Wichita State and the presidential search at the Celebration of Life event for late President John Bardo.

‘This is about the students’: Tompkins says WSU presidential search should prioritize higher ed proficiency

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
August 20, 2019
Rendering of the Hyatt Place hotel, set to be built on Innovation Campus.

Construction to begin on Innovation Campus hotel next week

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
August 20, 2019
Larisa Genin

New business dean sold on Wichita State’s mission

Matthew Kelly, Managing Editor
August 14, 2019
Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell speaks at WSU Bike Share ribbon cutting ceremony. The event was held on March 6, 2019 in front of the RSC.

Longwell seeks second term, leans on track record of spurring development

Matthew Kelly, Reporter
July 17, 2019
Wichita State President John Bardo.

Experiential Engineering Building to be renamed John Bardo Center

Matthew Kelly, Reporter
June 19, 2019
Steve Clark

YMCA namesake Steve Clark will chair second straight WSU presidential search

Matthew Kelly, Reporter
May 16, 2019
Kylie Cameron (left) is The Sunflower's new editor in chief, and Madeline Dealer is now advertising manager.

New Sunflower leaders assume positions

Matthew Kelly, Reporter
May 15, 2019
A decorated bike with a photo of Bridget Harrison is mounted to the back of a support vehicle that is following the cyclists to Canada. A gifted surgeon who suffered from anorexia, Bridget died last May at age 34.

Tragedy prompts cycling trio of alumni to ride from Wichita to Winnipeg for eating disorder awareness

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
May 12, 2019
Larisa Genin

Larisa Genin named new dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
May 9, 2019
Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer speaks about the Navy's partnership with Wichita State Wednesday before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

Secretary of the Navy highlights partnership with Wichita State

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
May 3, 2019
File graphic

WSU faculty give final approval for First Year Seminar requirement

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
May 1, 2019
Wichita State's Office of the President is in Morrison 203.

Closed search means next WSU president will be named without publicly announcing candidates, finalists

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
April 30, 2019
Wichita oilman Wayne Woolsey and his wife, Kay, put a lead gift of $10 million towards the new business building, which will be named after them.

Private donations almost completely funded KU and K-State’s new business buildings. WSU plans to pay for 40% of Woolsey Hall.

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
April 28, 2019
Holyoke Cottage was built in 1887 and later sold to Fairmount College as a women’s dorm. The cottage, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places, will soon house Storytime Village Literacy Center on its lower level. Upstairs will be dedicated to student housing. Farha Development owner Mark Farha and his partners have developed roughly 450 living spaces in the Fairmount neighborhood over the last decade. Many international students live in the rental housing and apartments.

As development ramps up, Fairmount stakeholders weigh in on community investment, gentrification

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
April 21, 2019
File graphic

Regents currently identifying candidates to chair search for next WSU president

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
April 21, 2019
Dr. Andy Tompkins sits in the president's office in Morrison Hall. Tompkins is WSU's new interim president.

Meet Dr. Tompkins: Q&A with Interim President Andy Tompkins

Matthew Kelly and Andrew Linnabary
April 11, 2019
File graphic

Here’s how Wichita State pays for separation agreements, settles lawsuits

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
April 10, 2019
Dr. Andy Tompkins sits in the president's office in Morrison Hall. Tompkins is WSU's new interim president.

[Photo] Interim President Andy Tompkins keeping busy in his last few days

December 14, 2019
File graphic

Faculty Senate passes First Year Seminar requirement, pending general faculty approval

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
April 9, 2019
Tulips bloom by the WIchita State sign at the 17th Street entrance.

Schlapp on Bardo’s empowerment of executive team: ‘If you bought into his vision and mission, he left you alone’

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
April 6, 2019
Tulips bloom by the WIchita State sign at the 17th Street entrance.

[Photo] WSU hiring a search firm to find next provost

October 1, 2021
The Suites, phase two of the Flats, will open next school year on Innovation Campus.

Innovation Campus governing board to go a year between public meetings

Matthew Kelly, Editor in Chief
April 5, 2019
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