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
Sophia Best

Sophia Best, Former Reporter

All content by Sophia Best
Sophia Best

Best: Working at The Sunflower taught me the true meaning of ‘Ad astra per aspera’

Sophia Best, Reporter
May 12, 2025
Roy Moye III interviews WSU Tech President Sheree Utash and Mandy Fouse at the "Tech Tykes" book launch. "Tech Tykes" is an illustrated children's series meant to get students interested in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

‘Igniting the spark of curiosity and exploration’: Wichita Tech staff launch children’s book series

Sophia Best, Reporter
April 24, 2025
Parking lot 19E on April 9.

Two parking lots to close this week

Sophia Best, Reporter
April 23, 2025
Vincent Farwell flashes pretend money towards Mik Lathe during "No Hands" by Waka Flocka. Farwell and Lathe attended the Pride Prom hosted by Spectrum on April 12.

The one fairy ring safe to walk into: Fae-themed Pride Prom hosted on campus

Sophia Best, Reporter
April 17, 2025
Graduate Student Parker Binns acts as a blower at the prescribed fire.

‘Being out, hiking, and setting things on fire’: Students help with environmental work

Sophia Best, Reporter
April 16, 2025
fire15.2

fire10.2

fire5.2

fire14.2

fire9.2

fire4.2

fire13.2

fire8.2

fire7.2

fire11.2

fire6.2

Parking lot 21N, adjacent to the Marcus Welcome Center, will be closed April 1 and 2.

Parking lot will close Tuesday and Wednesday

Sophia Best, Reporter
March 31, 2025
(Illustration)

OPINION: Put down the Guinness and pick up a pack of Tayto: Going beyond drinking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Sophia Best, Reporter
March 15, 2025
Cover courtesy of HarperCollins Publishing

REVIEW: Wichita Big Read on a roll with 2025 book choice

Sophia Best, Reporter
March 11, 2025
The Walk In Her Shoes event presented by Wichita State's Ambassadors for Diversity and Inclusion offered an interactive experience in learning about the challenges faced by survivors of domestic violence. On display were several pairs of women's heels placed between informational sheets on various resources, such as shelters and health care.

Campus group highlights local domestic violence resources for Women’s History Month

Sophia Best, Reporter
March 10, 2025
Rhiannon Vieyra, Gavin Gonzalez-Meyers, and Daniel Gonzalez-Meyers spread their arms on stage while performing "Lifesong." The performance was held in the CAC Theater on March 1 at 7:30 p.m.

These aren’t your mamas’ mimes; Alithea Mime Theatre performs at CAC Theater

Sophia Best, Reporter
March 6, 2025
Saxophonic members Madeline Natvig, Nathaniel Thompkins, and Zoey Isom perform at Walker's Jazz Lounge. The Saxophonics were the first group to perform for the night.

Step into the smooth, underground WSU jazz scene at Walker’s Jazz Lounge

Sophia Best, Reporter
March 4, 2025
The Wichita State University water tower stands on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Summer and fall classes available

Sophia Best, Reporter
March 3, 2025
Illustration

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

Sophia Best, Reporter
February 27, 2025
Kristi Conaway helps lead one of the Jazzercise routines on Feb. 25. Jazzercise was offered in the Heskett center by CHAARG, a new women-only workout group on campus.

Women in CHAARG: New workout group arrives on campus

Sophia Best, Reporter
February 26, 2025
The Flats on May 4, 2023. (File photo)

Returning students limited to The Flats next year

Sophia Best, Reporter
February 19, 2025
Mike Ross poses for a photo in his Department of Sport Management office. Ross' office can be found in room 221, Hubbard Hall.

‘Support our faculty and our staff’: New College of Applied Studies associate dean named

Sophia Best, Reporter
February 15, 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
(Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

What students should know about the Kansas tuberculosis outbreak

Sophia Best, Reporter
February 4, 2025
One-eyed Jack, being held by his owner at the 2025 Annual Cat Fancier's Association Cat Show on Feb. 1.

Fine feline showcase: Annual cat show hosted in Wichita

Sophia Best, Reporter
February 3, 2025
Emily Mayagoitia and Nyssa Kerschen talk in the advising office for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Monday is last day to enroll in classes; last day to withdraw with full refund is February 3

Sophia Best, Reporter
January 27, 2025
Wichita State University President Richard Muma. Photo courtesy of Wichita State University.

Wichita State president appointed to coalition serving urban universities

Sophia Best, Reporter
November 23, 2024
Faculty mingle at the open house for the new Faculty Advancement, Retention and Excellence office. The office was created to focus on helping Wichita State Faculty advance professionally.

New office aims to address faculty needs and professional development

Sophia Best, Reporter
November 21, 2024
The third floor of Shocker Success Center on July 26. It locates some of the student services on campus including the Office of Online and Adult Learning.

‘We hope to build a community’: New group offers support to students who are parents

Sophia Best, Reporter
November 21, 2024
Lounging and study areas designed for students in the new Shocker Successs Center located next to the Rhatigan Student Center and Ablah Library at Wichita State. The renovation of the previous "Clinton Hall" will be complete by the end of summer.

Student health services offering flu shots in pop-up clinic

Sophia Best, Reporter
November 10, 2024
Dawe and Wilson look over the 2004 attendance logs after the reading on Oct. 30. Attendees were offered signed copies of "Kittentits" for purchase, courtesy of Watermark Books & Cafe.

Kitten-what?: WSU alumna returns to celebrate her new book

Sophia Best, Reporter
November 7, 2024
Members of the Wichita State Young Democrats pose for a photo outside of the election watch party hosted by the organization. WSU Young Democrats were one of three student groups to hold election night events in the Rhatigan Student Center on Nov. 5.

Students attend watch parties for presidential candidates, unofficial local results available

Maleah Evans and Sophia Best
November 6, 2024
A sign indicating the tornado shelter in Elliott Hall. Wichita State has more than 80 shelters on its campus.

Wichita under tornado threat Wednesday afternoon. Here’s how to prepare on campus

Sophia Best, Reporter
October 30, 2024
A sign for the political science department in Lindquist Hall. Political science students and faculty research various topics related to state and national politics.

‘It’s going to be an interesting year’: What WSU’s political science department can tell us about the upcoming election

Sophia Best, Reporter
October 30, 2024
17th Street right next to the Wichita State campus. Several apartment complexes and other housing options are located just off campus.

Housing forecast predicts positive outlook for 2025, but some students still struggle

Sophia Best, Reporter
October 29, 2024
Byron McSwain gets ready to serve customers at Greater Grounds Coffee & Co. on Oct. 21, 2024.

‘Get back to us connecting’: Local veteran opens coffee bar to bring people together

Sophia Best, Reporter
October 26, 2024
Event attendee Janice Meinhart smooths out her felt. The "Felting the Figure" event was instructed by Ernie Kind at the Ulrich Museum of Art on Oct. 16.

Participants make their own fiber friends — and find real ones — at felting workshop

Sophia Best, Reporter
October 18, 2024
Angela Linder speaks with other staff senators at a Staff Senate meeting.

Admins Support Group brings together WSU staff for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Sophia Best, Reporter
October 15, 2024
Opened in 1980, Ahlberg Hall is the home of the College of Health Professions.

Wichita State offers new nursing pathway

Sophia Best, Reporter
October 8, 2024
(Illustration)

OPINION: Professors who take pride in failing students, fail in teaching

Sophia Best, Reporter
October 7, 2024
(Illustration)

OPINION: Campus resources are rarely properly advertised

Sophia Best, Reporter
October 3, 2024
Bill Nye talks about the evolution of technology and the importance of curiosity and storytelling in education. Nye was the keynote speaker for the Ad Astra Summit, an event that centers on technology related issues in the city, state and country.

Bill Nye headlines technology summit

Sophia Best and Baylor Henry
October 3, 2024
The Office of Student Accommodations and Testing (OSAT) located in the Shocker Success Center. OSAT is offering a new software, Kurzweil 3000, which is intended to make classes more accessible.

A new accessibility software is available for students, faculty and staff

Sophia Best, Reporter
September 25, 2024
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The office houses Shocker Finacial Wellness, which holds events for students and offers finacial advice.

Shocker Financial Wellness Team offers tuition raffle to students who attend workshops

Sophia Best, Reporter
September 22, 2024
Hailey Garcia and Sonnia Evbota-Momodu register to vote at the National Voter Registration Day fair, hosted by Shockers Vote! Coalition. Gracia is a transfer student at Wichita State, majoring in social work, and Evbota-Momodu is majoring in psychology and marketing.

The Shockers Vote! Coalition wants you to put them out of work — by voting

Sophia Best, Reporter
September 18, 2024
Joey Wise throws a disc at Disc Golf Club tryouts on Aug. 31 at L.W. Clapp Park. The club had a large turnout for tryouts.

Wichita State disc golf club off to a flying start

Sophia Best, Reporter
September 2, 2024
Load More Stories