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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
Kass Lewis

Kass Lewis, News Editor

Kass Lewis is a first-year reporter for The Sunflower. He is a junior journalism and media production major. After college, he’d like to pursue a career involving writing. Lewis uses he/him pronouns.

All content by Kass Lewis
Student Body President Jia Wen Wang presents SB-68-113. The act discusses a proposed legal services program for students to access.

SGA Senate approves attorney for student use – here’s why.

Kass Lewis, News editor
September 29, 2025
Three cars sit at the intersection of 17th Street and Harvard after a crash on Sept. 29 around 2 p.m.

Three injured in collision south of campus

Kass Lewis, News Editor
September 29, 2025
Wichita Fire Department Firefighters pack up hoses after determining the fire was extinguished. The fire took place in room 301 of McKinley Hall.

Small fire, big response

Kass Lewis, News editor
September 22, 2025
Natalie Benjamin assists loading the group's bus with newly bought supplies. The shockers shopped at Sam's Club, a membership-based store for home goods.

PHOTOS: Wu’s Big Event helps 21 local organizations

Kass Lewis and Piper Pinnetti
September 22, 2025
Former Student Body President Kylee Hower releases a snake back into a garden. Hower, a senior studying political science and economics, expressed her fear of the "creepy crawlies" in the garden at AbilityPoint.

Adrianna Dollarhide, a first-year studying international business, cleans a fridge at AbilityPoint. AbilityPoint hosts educational and social programs in their building in Wichita.

Brother and sister Logan and Sayler Roberts canvas for an upcoming American Red Cross event as part of Wu's Big Event. Logan Roberts, a senior studying Management Information Systems, has participated in Wu's Big Event all four years of his college career.

Trinity Rouse smiles after filling a steamer to clean the floors at AbilityPoint. Rouse is a sophomore studying accounting and is in Alpha Phi with Dollarhide.

A crowd gathers on the RSC East Lawn on Sept. 16. The crowd was estimated to be over 1,500 people.

Over 1,500 gather at RSC for Charlie Kirk vigil

Kass Lewis and Ainsley Smyth
September 18, 2025
A suspect is taken into custody outside of the Rhatigan Student Center.

Person arrested in Rhatigan Student Center

Kass Lewis, News editor
September 16, 2025
Turning Point USA members at a TPUSA event. WSU TPUSA Chapter President Ryan Whalen is third from the right standing. Charlie Kirk is farthest left sitting. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Whalen)

WSU Turning Point chapter responds to death of TPUSA co-founder Charlie Kirk

Kass Lewis, News editor
September 15, 2025
Provost Monica Lounsbery speaks to the audience about plans for the future of the university. Lounsbery took over as the provost and executive vice president in January of 2025.

Provost is just one of the roles she plays

Kass Lewis, News editor
September 8, 2025
File photo, parking services vehicle

Have parking and traffic citations? Here’s how to get relief.

Kass Lewis, News editor
September 8, 2025
Speaker of the Senate Matthew Phan addresses the Student Government Association Senate at their weekly meeting.

Student Government Association midterm elections are coming up, here’s what to know

Kass Lewis, News editor
September 8, 2025
President Richard Muma signs Director of RSC Events Maria Ciski's copy of "Student Centered, Innovation Driven." Copies are available for purchase in the Shocker Store.

‘Student Centered, Innovation Driven’

Kass Lewis, News editor
September 1, 2025
Student Body Treasurer Luke Bumm presents the 86 bills suggesting the appropriations budget. All the bills were passed on the same night.

Student organizations receive funding allocations, but not everyone leaves happy

Kass Lewis, News editor
August 28, 2025
(Graphic)

Kansas high schoolers continue a downward trend of college-readiness while proficiency rates skyrocket

Kass Lewis, News editor
August 25, 2025
Wichita community members 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. (File photo)

Investigation unveils new information about the January D.C. plane collision

Angellica Klingsick and Kass Lewis
August 25, 2025
President Richard Muma claps to congratulate Provost Monica Lounsberry and Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Sarah Beth Estes on stepping into their new roles. The two will begin their first full year on campus with the start of the fall 2025 semester.

College of Applied Studies name change, market-based compensation discussed at 2025 Fall Address

Kass Lewis, News Editor
August 14, 2025
Lot 9W, just south of Elliott Hall. 9W and lot 9E will be closed Thursday, Aug. 14, for student orientation.

Parking lots south of Elliott and Ahlberg closed for orientation

Kass Lewis, News Editor
August 13, 2025
Dion Samuels listens as other ISU executive position candidates make their pitches during the group's May election meeting. Samuels won the presidential vote, but the results were later overturned.

International Student Union election results voided by Student Government courts

Kass Lewis, News Editor
August 11, 2025
(Illustration)

REVIEW: Big combos and bigger lines: A journey to eating at Wichita’s first Raising Cane’s location on opening day

Kass Lewis, Reporter
July 2, 2025
The large crowd standing as “Home on the Range” is played by the Kansas City Symphony. It is tradition to stand, take your friends and family arm-in-arm and sway to the music during “Home on the Range.” / Flint Hills Media Project

[Photo] One last family gathering in the Flint Hills

Owen Prothro, Reporter
June 16, 2025
Photo courtesy of John Mulnix

CosmoShox selected for NASA SUITS design challenge

Kass Lewis, Reporter
May 15, 2025
Miranda Marler plays the marimba at her senior recital. Marler will be graduating from Wichita State at the end of this semester.

Miranda Marler’s wildfire passion for percussion

Kass Lewis, Reporter
May 15, 2025
Abby Ausherman turns around while sewing fabric for her exhibition. Ausherman is graduation spring 2025 with a major in Arts.

Tackling new artforms with familiar concepts

Kass Lewis, Reporter
May 11, 2025
Media Relations Director Holly Xiong presents herself for the media relations director position.

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 acting student body president.

Student Body Vice President Amy Nguyen leads the first SGA meeting of the 68th Session.

Media Relations Director Holly Xiong presents herself for the media relations director position.

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.

[Photo] SGA creates new cabinet position with focus on student engagement with athletics

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.

[Photo] SGA elects former Vice President Mathew Phan as new Senate speaker

May 2, 2025
Empty desks in an Elliott Hall classroom on Monday, March 23, 2020 (File photo).

Accreditation faces new regulations at the state and federal levels

Kass Lewis, Reporter
May 1, 2025
Chief Justice Lesly Hernandez swears-in Student Body President Jia Wen Wang.

[Photo] Wichita State inaugurates new Student Government

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 26, 2025
WSU President Rick Muma shakes hands with Student Body President Jia Wen Wang and Vice President Amy Nguyen following their inauguration.

President Jia Wen Wang speaks to attendees after being inaugurated. Wang's speech focused on her dedication to being "for the students."

Former Student Body President Kylee Hower poses for a photo with new Student Body President Jia Wen Wang following Wang's swearing-in.

Student Body President Jia Wen Wang signs a document after being sworn-in.

Student body President Jia Wen Wang and her family listen as WSU's Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall begins the 2025 inauguration.

Attendees of the 2025 SGA inauguration fill up from the food spread outside the event. A similar spread was seen the night before at the final SGA meeting of the 67th session, this following funding cuts from SGA to student organizations early in the semester.

Newly-elected Student Body President Jia Wen Wang introduces WSU President Rick Muma to her family.

Chief Justice Lesly Hernandez swears-in Student Body Vice President Amy Nguyen.

Returning Chief Justice Lesley Hernandez is handed her gavel following her swearing-in.

Former Student Body President Kylee Hower helps returning Chief Justice Lesly Hernandez put on her robe.

Returning Chief Justice Lesley Hernandez is sworn-in for the 68th session of the Student Government Association.

Student Body President Kylee Hower laughs as Fine Arts Senator Patrick Murphy shares stories. Student Government Association shared fond memories of their time in the Student Government Association during the debate period before voting to grant emeritus status to some members.

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

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 25, 2025
Association’s Advisor Gabriel Fonseca gives his closing remarks. Fonseca shared his pride in the SGA members’ hard work this session.

Undergraduate Advocate Annie Wasinger gives her closing remarks at the April 23 meeting, the last of the 67th session.

[Photo] SGA proposes amendments to Student Bill of Rights

April 25, 2025
Chief Justice Lesly Hernandez gives her closing remarks. The April 24, 2025, SGA meeting marked the end of the 67th Session.

Assistant professor of 20th century U.S. history Laila Ballout gives a presentation about higher education. Ballout shined light on student visas and the increasing amount of issues international students are facing when applying for them.

[Photo] WSU history faculty offer perspectives on the current political situation

Kami Steinle, Reporter
April 20, 2025
Student Government Association Sen. Evelyn Lewis answers questions from fellow senators about the resolution she wrote, condemning Russia in its war with Ukraine.

[Photo] Wichita State Student Senate condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor
April 11, 2025
A screenshot of a YikYak post made by anonymous user coorslover.

Anonymous YikYak users receive 2% of total votes in student body president election

Kass Lewis, Reporter
April 11, 2025
President Richard Muma speaks at an event about the new Heartland Environmental Justice Center on July 12, 2023.

DOGE cancelled environmental grant that went to university center, WSU confirms

Kass Lewis, Reporter
April 10, 2025
Elections Commissioner Natalie Benjamin reads unofficial election results on April 9.

[Photo] 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 as the unofficial election results are read on April 9.

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

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

[Photo] Student body overwhelmingly votes to allow SGA to appoint senators

April 9, 2025
Jia Wen Wang answers a question asked by the moderators. The Sunflower acted as moderators for the presidential and vice presidential forum.

[Photo] Sole candidates for student body president and vice president express their priorities at forum

Mya Scott, Assistant Editor
April 6, 2025
Jia Wen Wang and Amy Nguyen at the 2025 SGA presidential and vice presidential candidate forum.

Allison looks DIVA AGAIN AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

Allison looks DIVA!!!!!!

The Sunflower's Editor-in-Chief Allison Campbell and News Editor Ainsley Smyth listen as the candidates answer one of their posed questions. Campbell and Smyth represented The Sunflower as moderators at the Presidential and Vice Presidential forum.

Jia Wen Wang and Amy Nguyen sit before a crowd to answer questions in the Presidential and Vice Presidential forum. The crowd was encouraged to pose their own questions live at the forum.

Amy Nguyen answers a questioned posed by the moderators. Questions touched on SGA funding, student involvement and much more.

Amy Nguyen answers a questioned posed by the moderators. Questions touched on SGA funding, student involvement and much more.

Jia Wen Wang listens and prepares as a question is asked. The Sunflower moderated the forum, asking questions of their own and from the crowd.

Chief Election's Commissioner Bella Kilman introduces the candidates at the Presidential and Vice Presidential forum held April 3. Kilman opened and closed the forum, encouraging attendees to ask questions for the candidates.

A screenshot of the Kansas Board of Regents 2025 enrollment report, showing a decrease in both total and full-time enrollment across Kansas' public universities. (Courtesy of KBOR)

Kansas sees decreased enrollment across public universities

Kass Lewis, Reporter
March 18, 2025
Olivia Krolczyk, Riley Gaines Center ambassador, speaks in fron of an audience at Wichita State on March 11. The event was hosted by WSU's chapter of Turning Point USA.

Turning Point USA hosts Olivia Krolczyk from Riley Gaines Center

Kass Lewis, Reporter
March 13, 2025
President of Ambassadors for Diversity and Inclusion Amy Nguyen sits down with a Sunflower reporter to discuss the future of ADI. She broke down what the shift means, the impact on campus and her hopes for making things more inclusive.

Ambassadors for Diversity and Inclusion host inclusive events in wake of DEI attacks

Kass Lewis, Reporter
March 11, 2025
Photo courtesy of Wichita State University.

WSU professor’s app brings graphic novels to the ears of visually impaired

Kass Lewis, Reporter
March 6, 2025
Lights hang by a yellow cord in Linquist 601. The room is under construction while being converted into a book technologies lab.

‘What’s happening in Lindquist 601?’

Kass Lewis, Reporter
February 18, 2025
Alejandra Campoverdi a Harvard graduate discussed her memoir "First Gen." Wichita State hosted Campoverdi on Feb. 5 for a book talk.

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

Kass Lewis, Reporter
February 9, 2025
The "Wichita the Air Capital " sign stands at the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. (File photo)

NIAR’s connection with the history of Flight 5342

Kass Lewis, Reporter
February 7, 2025
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