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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
Mia Hennen

Mia Hennen, Managing Editor

Mia Hennen is the managing editor for The Sunflower. Most recently, Hennen served as editor-in-chief for the 2023-2024 year. A senior English major, Hennen will graduate in May 2025.

All content by Mia Hennen
Junior Sami Hood sends the ball toward third base during the game against the East Carolina Pirates on April 11. Wichita State won the match, 11-2.

Wichita State players make the Shockers hand sign on April 11. The 11-2 win in the series opener was the Shockers' 11th-straight over East Carolina.

Senior Camryn Compton laughs with her teammates after a run-rule victory against the East Carolina Pirates on April 11.

Senior Krystin Nelson high fives freshman Ryley Nihart after a run-rule in the top of the fifth inning against East Carolina. The Shockers won, 11-2.

Freshman Gabby Scott smiles as she returns to her fellow teammates after run ruling the East Carolina Pirates on April 11. Scott secured the Shockers two RBIs.

[Photo] Mirrored experiences, opposite personalities: High school softball rivals become friends, roommates at Wichita State

April 17, 2025
Freshman Gabby Scott smiles as she returns to her fellow teammates after run ruling the East Carolina Pirates on April 11. Scott secured the Shockers two RBIs.

[Photo] Mirrored experiences, opposite personalities: High school softball rivals become friends, roommates at Wichita State

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor
April 17, 2025
Senior Camryn Compton sprints toward first base after catching an East Carolina ball. Compton secured two RBIs for the Shockers on April 11.

Senior Krystin Nelson hits the ball back toward East Carolina during the April 11 game. Nelson had one RBI during the game.

Freshman Ryley Nihart pitches in the first game of a three-game series against East Carolina on April 11. Nihart led the Shockers to a 11-2 victory.

A Shocker fan uses a bubble gun following Wichita State's first home run against East Carolina on April 11.

Graduate student Lauren Lucas returns to hugs and congratulations after scoring the first home run of the game against East Carolina on April 11. The Shockers won, 11-2.

[Photo] Softball offense leads to series win against East Carolina

April 13, 2025
Graduate student Ellee Eck and junior Taylor Sedlacek wait for more softball players to make it around the diamond after a series of successful hits in the opening inning of the game. The 11-2 win on April 11 was WSU's 11th-straight against the Pirates.

Graduate student Ellee Eck congratulates junior Taylor Sedlacek after a home run during the first game of a three-game series against East Carolina.

Graduate student Ellee Eck prepares to sprint off second base during the game against East Carolina on April 11. Eck scored three times and secured a a pair of hits and an RBI during the game.

[Photo] Softball’s struggles against top-25 teams continues in loss at No. 22 Oklahoma State

April 15, 2025
Junior Taylor Sedlacek returns the ball to the pitching circle during the game against East Carolina University on April 11.

Freshman Ryley Nihart pitches in the first game of a three-game series against East Carolina University on April 11. Nihart led the Shockers to a 11-2 victory.

Before the start of the match against East Carolina University, members of the Wichita State softball team form a circle and play a warmup game. The Shockers run-ruled the Pirates in a 11-2 win on April 11.

Junior Taylor Sedlacek throws the ball toward first base in attempt to get out a South Florida player on March 28.

Freshman Ryley Nihart pitches against South Florida on March 28 in Wilkins Stadium. Nihart helped the Shockers achieve a 9-4 win against the Bulls in the first game of their weekend series.

A Wichita State fan cheers during the game against South Florida on March 28. The Shockers won. 9-4, during the first game in a three-game series.

Senior Camryn Compton throws the ball to the pitcher during the game against South Florida on March 28. The Shockers won 9-4.

Freshman Gabby Scott prepares to release the bat after hitting the ball into the field during a game against South Florida.

Sofbtall players and coaches gather up and talk between plays against South Florida on March 28.

Junior Jodie Epperson hits a foul ball during a game against South Florida on March 28. The Shockers won, 9-4.

Junior Taylor Sedlacek swings to bat the ball during a game against South Florida on March 28.

[Photo] Defensive lapses, late-game collapse leaves softball with series tie against South Florida

March 30, 2025
Senior Krystin Nelson quickly picks up the ball and throws it to first base in an attempt to get a South Florida player out on March 28.

[Photo] Softball takes two of three from UAB in weather-affected series

April 6, 2025
Junior Taylor Sedlacek cheers on her teammates during the softball game against South Florida on March 28. The Shockers won the first game of the three-game series, 9-4.

Junior Taylor Sedlacek runs for home plate on a home run on March 28.

Senior Camryn Compton slides into home plate during the game against South Florida on March 28. WSU won, 9-4, over the Bulls.

Junior Taylor Sedlacek and grad student Lauren Lucas make a "two outs" hand sign after getting a South Florida player out.

A student walks to the Rhatigan Student Center on Wichita State's campus in November.

Student services and organizations face major cuts following university budget shortfall

Kami Steinle and Mia Hennen
March 8, 2025
Kiora Joseph at the AIAA SciTech conference (courtesy of Joseph)

From COVID-19 to working restrictions, international doctoral student navigates higher education

Mia Hennen, Managing Editor
March 8, 2025
Music education professor Tom Wine leads the Shocker Choir in rehearsal for their upcoming concert. Wine will retire from Wichita State University and higher education this spring.

Professor and choral director ready to find ‘adventures’ in retirement

Mia Hennen, Managing Editor
March 4, 2025
Jia Wen Wang's gavel lies on the table as the Student Fees Committee Hearings take place on March 4, 2024. Wang serves as the student body treasurer for the Student Government Association. (file photo)

WSU faces $900,000 shortfall; student fees committee asks organizations what budget cuts would mean for them

Mia Hennen, Managing Edtior
March 3, 2025
Music professor Tom Wine leads the Shocker Choir in rehearsal for their upcoming concert. Wine will retire from Wichita State University and higher education this spring.

Adjunct instructor Remington Putter explains his snowball throwing activity, where students wrote on a piece of paper, crumpled it up, and then threw it across the room. The activity was meant to teach students how they could incorporate fun learning into their future classrooms.

Disc Golf Club coach emphasizes holistic, fun approach to physical education

Mia Hennen, Managing Editor
February 10, 2025
Adjunct instructor Remington Putter shows his Health, Movement and Physical Activity class how to view their screen time. Putter took an average of the class's screen time and showed students how much money they could make per week if they were paid for their screen time. He offered the class an incentive to lower their screen time. "Here's the big thing: If you can get (your screen time daily average) under one hour for a whole week, I will give you $20 cash," Putter told his class.

Freshman Amir Milushev returns the ball during Wichita State's tennis match against Drake on Jan. 26. Milushev picked up a singles win during Wichita State's sweep.

[Photo] Men’s tennis wins decisively in regular season home debut

January 26, 2025
Freshman Amir Milushev returns the ball during Wichita State's tennis match against Drake on Jan. 26. Milushev picked up a singles win during Wichita State's sweep.

Ilias Worthington prepares to hit the ball during a singles match against a Drake University opponent. Worthington helped Wichita State secure a 7-0 win against the Bulldogs.

Kristof Minarik sends the ball to a Drake University opponent during a Jan. 26 tennis match.

Joan Grosset talks to Kristof Minarik in between singles match sets. Minarik helped Wichita State secure a win over Drake University.

Kristof Minarik sends the ball to a Drake University opponent during a Jan. 26 tennis match.

Freshman Amir Milushev returns the ball during Wichita State's tennis match against Drake on Jan. 26. Milushev picked up a singles win during Wichita State's sweep.

[Photo] Men’s tennis wins decisively in regular season home debut

Evan Tong, Reporter
January 26, 2025
Luca Mindrut prepares to send the ball across the net during a singles match against a Drake University player.

Head men's tennis coach Darragh Glavin talks to Ilias Worthington and Vanja Hodzic between doubles sets on Feb. 26. Worthington and Hodzic won their match, 6-2.

[Photo] WSU men’s tennis excited to make strides in spring

January 27, 2025
Zaid Al Mashni prepares to hit the ball during a doubles match with Luca Mindrut on Jan. 26. The men's tennis team defeated Drake University, 7-0.

Barbara Myers, an administrative specialist in the College of Engineering, bundles up while walking to the on-campus post office on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

PHOTOS: Shockers brave cold for first day of in-person classes

Mia Hennen, Managing Editor
January 24, 2025
The Wichita State University water tower stands on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

[Photo] Summer and fall classes available

March 3, 2025
The Wichita State University water tower stands on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Coffee in hand, Claire Stewart walks around Wichita State between classes, attempting to familarize herself with the campus on Jan. 22.

[Photo] WSU campus open Wednesday, Feb. 19

February 18, 2025
Kyle DeVault wheels a dolly cart around campus on Wednesday, Jan. 22. DeVault delivers items for Shocker Printing Solutions.

Kyle DeVault wheels a dolly cart around campus on Wednesday, Jan. 22. DeVault delivers items for Shocker Printing Solutions.

Kyan Tenpenny, mechanical engineering major, and Damyin Allmond, aerospace engineering major, walk on campus together.

[Photo] Wichita State moves to remote operations on Feb. 18

February 17, 2025
A Wichita State student zips through campus on a bike during the second day back to class. Wichita State started its first day of classes remotely before resuming in person on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Ray-jhay Barnes looks for Devlin Hall on a campus map near the Rhatigan Student Center on the second day of the spring semester.

Juan Barrientos and Gabriela Gomez, students at Wichita State, search for Beggs Hall on the first day back for in-person classes. Wichita State started its first day of classes remotely before resuming in person on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

A squirrel carries dead leaves in its mouth as students trickle in and out of the Rhatigan Student Center on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

(Illustration)

International students and faculty weigh what Trump could mean for their future in the U.S.

Mia Hennen, Managing Editor
January 14, 2025
Junior forward Corey Washington attempts to block the Kansas City Roos from passing the ball into play. Washington occupied the court for nearly 30 minutes, scoring eight points.

[Photo] Men’s basketball defeats K-State for first time since 2001, avoids three-game losing streak

December 21, 2024
Senior guard Xavier Bell attempts to make a layup on Kansas City during the Dec. 17 game. Bell scored 21 points during the game, but the Shockers ultimately lost, 74-64, to the Roos.

A child sitting on the sideline plays with a rubber band between action at the Wichita State men's basketball game on Dec. 17.

Fifth-year guard AJ McGinnis goes for a lay-up during the WSU game against Kansas City on Dec. 17. McGinnis played 15 minutes during the losing game to the Roos.

Head coach Paul Mills and senior guard Bijan Cortes talk after a timeout. The Shockers played the Kansas City Roos on Dec. 17, losing 74-64.

[Photo] Men’s basketball head coach Paul Mills says Wichita State played 'entitled basketball’ in Kansas City loss

December 20, 2024
Senior guard Xavier Bell attempts to make a layup on Kansas City during the Dec. 17 game. Bell scored 21 points during the game, but the Shockers ultimately lost 74-64 to the Roos.

Senior guard Xavier Bell drives the ball down the court during the game against Kansas City on Dec. 17. Bell scored 21 points during the game, but the Shockers ultimately lost, 74-64, to the Roos.

Senior guard Xavier Bell looks to the basket as players attempt to shoot the ball. Bell scored 21 points during the game, but the Shockers ultimately lost 74-64 to the Roos.

Junior forward Corey Washington listens to head coach Paul Mills during a timeout on Dec. 17. Washington occupied the court for nearly 30 minutes, scoring eight points.

Kansas City's Cameron Faas puts up for a two-point shot as Wichita State's Corey Washington attempts a block. Washington occupied the court for nearly 30 minutes, scoring eight points.

Fifth-year guard Justin Hill attempts to score after grabbing a rebound. Hill was one of the top scorers of the evening, tallying 12 points in the game.

Fifth-year guard Justin Hill drives down the court, attempting to score on Kansas City. The Shockers lost to the Roos, 74-64

[Photo] ‘Not the standard’: Men’s basketball falls to UMKC

December 17, 2024
Fifth-year guard Justin Hill drives down the court, attempting to score on Kansas City. The Shockers lost to the Roos, 74-64

Firefighter Tony Massaglia passes Fire Station 10 Lieutaunt John Hattrup as the men tease each other about their workouts. The two make up a fire crew that has been together for around five years.

Ever noticed fire trucks outside of the campus YMCA? Meet the fire crew from Station 10.

Mia Hennen, Managing Editor
December 17, 2024
Arantxa Cortez smiles after competing in the pole vault event for track and field.

Weston Hulse watches video of his pole vault performance, recorded by Aliyah Fertig, the pole vault coach for track and field.

Weston Hulse propels himself over the pole vault bar during the Black vs Yellow Intrasquad match on Dec. 6.

Kylie Scott releases her pole after vaulting over the bar. Scott was on the yellow team during the Black vs Yellow Intrasquad track and field competition on Dec. 6.

Arantxa Cortez propels herself over the pole vault bar during the Black vs Yellow Intrasquad meet on Dec. 6.

Alexis Phillips vaults up during the Black vs. Yellow Intrasquad competition on Dec. 6.

Bailey Hartley watches video of her pole vault performance, recorded by Aliyah Fertig, the pole vault coach for track and field.

Sonya Haylor jumps forward during the Black vs. Yellow Intrasquad event on Dec. 6.

Chairo Ogbebor jumps forward during the Black vs. Yellow Intrasquad event on Dec. 6. Ogbebor competes in sprint and jump events for track and field.

Anna Bundy jumps forward during the Black vs. Yellow Intrasquad event on Dec. 6. Bundy competes in multiple track and field events.

Amarrion Reese leaps forward during the Black vs. Yellow Intrasquad event on Dec. 6. Reese competes in sprint and jump events for track and field.

[Photo] Track and field preview: Shockers aim for AAC crown

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor
January 28, 2025
Chidera Okoro claps for Farrah Miller after she competed in the high jump at the Black vs. Yellow Intrasquad event on Dec. 6.

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