Wichita State sports a chronology of events that spans 130 years — and counting.
Back to Traditions
Fairmount College is established under the leadership of first president Nathan Morrison.
On the second day of school, a group of students meet under a tree to discuss starting a football team.
The Sunflower prints its first issue.
Fairmount students select the school colors of “sunflower” yellow and black.
The first graduating class totals nine; total enrollment is 179.
The first Parnassus, the student yearbook, is published.
Fairmount’s first official choral group, Women’s Glee Club, debuts.
Fiske Hall is completed as a men’s dormitory.
Ground is broken for Carnegie Library, later renamed Morrison Library; the structure burns in 1964.
President Henry Thayer takes office.
The department of education is added to Fairmount College.
Harry Shuler organizes the college’s first alumni association.
The third president of Fairmount College, Walter Rollins, takes office.
John Finlayson takes over as Fairmount’s fourth president.
Enrollment is 569 students.
Fairmount College transitions to the Municipal University of Wichita.
President Harold Foght takes office.
McKinley Hall opens and construction begins on Henrion Gym additions and the university’s second library.
WU’s Aerospace Engineering department is founded.
A wind tunnel is installed in McKinley Hall.
The university’s original building, Fairmount Hall, burns down; Jardine Hall now stands on the site.
William Jardine becomes the university’s sixth president.
The Auditorium and Commons Building, now Wilner Auditorium, opens. The building houses the Alibi Room, a favorite gathering place for students.
The university president’s home is built on campus.
Harry Corbin, an alumnus of the University of Wichita, becomes the seventh president at the age of 32.
Henry Levitt Arena, the Roundhouse, is completed.
The engineering department splits off from the business school to become its own college.
Student enrollment tops 5,000.
The Campus Activities Center (CAC) becomes the newest addition to campus, later renamed the Rhatigan Student Center.
President Emory Linquist takes office.
The University of Wichita becomes Wichita State University, with enrollment topping 7,000 students.
WSU’s men’s basketball team reaches the Final Four.
Clark Ahlberg becomes the ninth president of WSU and the second University of Wichita alumnus to hold the position.
Replacing Veterans Field, Cessna Stadium is constructed.
The College of Health Professions is founded.
One of two planes carrying WSU football players, coaches, and others crashes in Colorado, killing 31.
The McKnight Art Center complex, which includes the Ulrich Museum of Art, is completed.
The Shocker women’s bowling team wins the national title.
President Warren Armstrong takes office.
The National Institute of Aviation Research takes flight.
Wiedemann Hall is constructed to house the Great Marcussen Organ.
Because of fiscal reasons, football is discontinued at WSU.
WSU’s baseball team brings home the national championship.
Eugene Hughes, the university’s 11th president, takes office.
The university celebrates the centennial anniversary of its founding.
President Don Beggs takes office.
James J. Rhatigan steps down from his full-time role as senior vice president, which he had served in since 1996. He is the namesake of the Rhatigan Student Center.
WSU dedicates Charles Koch Arena during a sold-out game vs. Tulsa on December 20.
WSU opens the Marcus Welcome Center, its new “front door.”
The Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection is named one of the nation’s Top 10 campus sculpture collections.
Homecoming returns to campus after a 20-year hiatus, sponsored by the WSU Alumni Association.
John Bardo takes office as WSU’s 13th president.
WSU Women’s Volleyball team reaches the Sweet Sixteen.
Shocker Men’s Basketball team reaches the Final Four.
Shocker Hall opens its doors to students.
The Wheatshocker housing complex is torn down to make way for the Innovation Campus.
The Innovation Campus adds its first partnership businesses, a source of student employment and applied learning.
Shocker Studios, a state-of-the-art professional production space, opens in south Wichita.
WSU Haysville satellite location opens.
A $13.8 million Student-Athlete Success Center breaks ground at Cessna Stadium.
The Steve Clark YMCA and Student Wellness Center opens.
Phase V upgrades to Eck Stadium, including a 10,000-square-foot locker, classroom and fitness facility, are unveiled.
Woolsey Hall, the new home of the Barton School of Business, opens for fall classes.
Richard “Rick” Muma becomes the 15th president of WSU.
The WSU Foundation and WSU Alumni Association unite to become the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement (WSUFAE).
The Shocker Student Success Center opens.
Wichita Biomedical Campus groundbreaking ceremony is held in downtown Wichita.
