Current Shocker Traditions
Current Shocker Traditions
ShocktoberFest
Shocktoberfest has been Wichita State’s annual fall celebration of Shocker Spirit since 1991, featuring a multi-day series of events, activities and competitions that bring together students, faculty, staff, alumni and the Greater Wichita community.
This campus-wide initiative is hosted by a variety of student groups and departments, including the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement, Wichita State Athletics, and the Division of Student Affairs.
The Toast: A Graduation Celebration
Sponsored by the Division of Students Affairs and the WSUFAE, this graduation celebration raises a glass and makes a collective toast to graduating seniors whose years of hard work and dedication have gained them passage into the official ranks of Shocker alumni.
Each graduate who attends The Toast receives a commemorative WSU champagne flute and is congratulated by Wichita State’s president, its vice president of student affairs and the WSUFAE’s vice president of alumni engagement during a brief program. Graduates may bring up to two of their closest family or friends to help share in the Shocker pride!
Alumni Awards
Each year, Shockers come together to present the best and brightest among them with Alumni Awards. Through the years, this tradition of elevating and celebrating Shockers who’ve made a difference in their communities and society at-large has recognized scores of deserving individuals and collectives for their extraordinary accomplishment and distinguished service.
Today, among the distinctive awards conferred at the WSUFAE’s annual Heritage Gala are the Young Alumni Award, Social Impact Award and the prestigious Alumni Achievement Award, the latter of which was first presented in 1955.