WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1896
Volume 130
Issue 26
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
www.thesunflower.com
@thesunflowernews
@sunflowernews
The Sunflower
Island and Raju win student body presidential race BY KASS LEWIS
news@thesunflower.com
With nearly two-thirds of the votes, Jayden Island won the 2026 Wichita State student body presidential race with Anoushka Raju as their vice president. Island and Raju received 63.6% of the votes. They ran against current student senators Mason Fouquet and Nazanin Kasirosafar, who received 34.8% of the votes; 1.6% of the votes were write-ins. Island currently serves as the undergraduate student advocate and helps students with parking and grade appeals. Raju is the director of health and wellness for SGA and helps to provide access to mental and physical health
“
We’re just really excited to start serving students in this way — continuing to carry their voices forward and having those same conversations we were having during the campaign season. JAYDEN ISLAND Student Body President Elect
resources to students. The total number of votes was 2,222, which is around 17.3% of eligible voters. Eligible voters are defined as degree-seeking students, which is currently 12,852. This year’s voter turnout was 80 votes fewer than last year, which had 2,302 voters. The 2024 general election had a turnout of 804.
“We’re just really excited to start serving students in this way — continuing to carry their voices forward and having those same conversations we were having during the campaign season,” Island said. Raju said she and Island are excited to start “learning everything we need to learn and then getting
Student Body President Elect Jayden Island and Vice President Elect Anoushka Raju celebrate after the announcement they won the presidential race on Wednesday April 8. The ticket received nearly two-thirds of the total votes. Photo by Kass Lewis / The Sunflower
started through the work that we need to do.” Island and Raju put transparency as a focus of their campaign, saying they’d like to make information about SGA and
BRIGHT BUSHY
&
Matthew “MatPat” Patrick speaks at the Creators Caucus in June 2025. The caucus was created as an effort to engage content creators in the policy making process. Photo courtesy of the United States Congress.
YouTube celebrity MatPat coming to Metroplex BY MYA SCOTT
opinion@thesunflower.com
YouTube star Matthew “MatPat” Patrick will visit Wichita State at 7 p.m. on April 16 in the Lowe Auditorium, which is in the Eugene Hughes Metroplex. Patrick is best known for his “Theories” YouTube channels, where he used science and math to analyze a wide range of topics. At “An Evening with MatPat,” Patrick will speak about his journey as a content creator and entrepreneur, along with a moderated Q&A. Prior to the event, those who plan on attending can submit questions on the Student Activities Council Instagram page. The event will be hosted by SAC and Shocker Studios. Earlier in the year, SAC held multiple polls asking students who they would like to see come to campus. Emma Benefiel, chairperson of the Student Night Life Council, said “it was safe to say (Patrick) won every single time.” “We did one in person,” Benefiel said. “People came out of their dorms in their PJ’s just to vote for him.” The event is intended for ages 13 and up. It will also have a clear bag policy enforced at the door. Students can purchase tickets for $10, WSU faculty and staff for $18 and the general public for $25. Tickets can be purchased on the SAC website.
Rare campus squirrel shows his face for spring
Snowball, Wichita State’s piebald squirrel, snacks on an acorn while perched on a tree. Piebaldism is a genetic mutation that causes patches of hair, feathers or scales to lack pigment. The mutation can be passed down to offspring, meaning the piebald population on campus could grow over time. Photo by Kass Lewis / The Sunflower
its processes more accessible to students. Island and Raju will be inaugurated at 11 a.m. on April 23 and then begin their administration.
Softball schedule shifted due to deadly bus crash last week BY OWEN PROTHRO
sports@thesunflower.com
Wichita State’s game was postponed after a bus carrying the Oklahoma State softball team fatally struck a pedestrian en route to Wilkins Stadium on April 8, according to KWCH. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the pedestrian was struck around 2:05 p.m. on northbound I-35 near Perry, Okla. Nobody on OSU’s team bus was injured. Lt. Mark Southall with the OHP said in a statement to KWCH that “witnesses stated a pedestrian was running in and out of traffic when she was struck by the bus.” WSU altered its schedule for a weekend series against Texas-San Antonio earlier on April 8. Wichita State was in third place in the league standings, two games behind South Florida and North Texas before the series against UTSA last weekend.
The Wichita State softball team holds the Shocks Up sign behind their back as the national anthem plays before the game against Tulsa on April 2 at Wilkins Stadium. File photo by Garima Thapa
Chicano artist gives performance and critique of contemporary art world at the Ulrich BY MALEAH EVANS
arts@thesunflower.com
Part lecture, part performance, artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña gave part of himself to a crowd of people at the Ulrich Museum of Art on April 9. Vivian Zavataro, the Executive and Creative Director of the Ulrich Museum of Art, opened the night with an opening statement about Gómez-Peña “As a writer and performance artist, his work has been read tremendously, confronted, rewritten and restaged so-called ‘Western art’, exposing its colonial legacies and systematic exclusion,” she said.
‘Dream with me’: Envisioning a better art world
Gómez-Peña began his performance with a reading of his “Open Letter to the Museums of the
Future,” in which he spoke about his hopes and desires for a nonracially charged art world. He asked attendees to envision a false world he created in that moment, and invited them to live within that world. “For everyone in my world, there is no difference between sameness and difference and borders are easy to cross,” he said. “In my world, there are no ‘illegal aliens,’ no ‘others,’ no good or bad guys, no terrorists or crime. “I invite you, dear foreigner, in my performance country, to dream with me and send me your own letters imagining a better art world or rather a myriad of art worlds.” He asked attendees to imagine their own ideal museum of the future and notepads were passed around the room for those who wanted to write down their thoughts.
To Gómez-Peña, the museum of the future is a place where intercultural differences come together in a community, a place to rest and converse amongst one another. “The museum of the future, it has to be a gymnasium of the imagination,” he said.
Censorship in art
Gómez-Peña delivered part of his lecture in Spanish. Then he apologized to those who could not understand. “There’s only 45-50 million people who speak Spanish,” he said. The Spanish-speaking portion of the performance was followed by a discussion of censorship. “The censorship of critical thinking, the censorship of deviant behavior and cultural difference has been the American (way) since the arrival of people in the
1600s,” he said. “I want to engage in another exercise of political imagination.” He invited the audience to envision a “faraway country controlled by far-right politicians in their 70s.” “These guys are supported by religious fundamentalists, oil tycoons and gold manufacturers.” This portion of the performance was blended with purposely placed bouts of silence — an auditory and visual representation of censorship. In this portion of the performance, Gómez-Peña would speak and go silent at some parts, but continue moving his mouth as if he was speaking still, illustrating purposeful censorship. “They have decided to scrutinize everything that goes on radio, TV, print journalism, the internet, performance art, including this very …,” he said.
“In a world such as this, content will be restricted to …. And the possibility to make intelligent, civic choices will be affecting our … “Imagine what type of world this would be.”
‘Listen to their stories’
Gómez-Peña thinks that the intellectual and artistic elders and helpers have been “abandoned completely by society.” He asked younger artists to choose an elder from their community to adopt and listen to the stories they have to tell before they are gone or unable to. “Document their opinions, listen to their new compositions, help them choreograph their latest illusion, organize their archives and help them to make their unique spaces more pleasant and vibrant,” he said. SEE GÓMEZ-PEÑA, PAGE 7
NEWS
2 | April 14, 2026
www.thesunflower.com
Resilience Award recipient proves it’s never too late to start again BY JOSH PFLEGER-BERNAT
“It takes me longer to memorize stuff now, so the fact that I was online and could re-listen to the lectures over and over was a dream for me,” Nelson said. She said Blackboard and other online resources provided immense value that wasn’t there when she first went to school. “I can check the boxes off of what assignments I have done, and it sends me emails or reminders,” Nelson said. “I’m kind of obsessed with it. I check it multiple times a day.” Online classes allowed Nelson to fit her schoolwork into her busy schedule and still take care of her health. Nelson attributed the lack of challenges she faced while working toward her degree to the effort put in by the Office of Online and Adult Learning. The resources and guidance they provided helped her experience be as frictionless as possible, she said.
jbernat13@gmail.com
Pam Nelson, an online learner, was shocked to hear she was receiving an award for her performance from her home in Texas, but she was determined to be there in person to receive it. “When Pam O’Neal (Associate Director of Student Engagement) told me I could attend virtually, I’m like, ‘No way,’” Nelson said. “‘I will be there.’” Nelson and her family drove over five hours from Fort Worth, for Nelson to receive the new Resilience Award. Each year, the Office of Online and Adult Learning holds a ceremony to celebrate adult learner students, who are at least 21 years old, and community partners. The Resilience Award was created to honor former adult learner Arland Wallace. Wallace left Wichita State after his first semester in the 1970s and returned in 2019. He graduated with a degree in archaeology in 2025, even after receiving a brain cancer diagnosis in his senior year. Katelyn Schrage, an academic adviser, described how Nelson’s experience can inspire others while presenting the Resilience Award at the April 9 awards ceremony. “Her story reminds us that success doesn’t always follow a straight line, like many of ours do not, and that leadership is not always loud,” Schrage said.
Choosing a path
Nelson — like Wallace — attended WSU briefly before life took a turn. She majored in French in the late ‘80s, then left when she got married and started a family. She found out about WSU’s online programs, but struggled to find the direction she wanted. The Office of Online and Adult Learning helped her find the organizational leadership program. She is on track to finish her bachelor’s degree a year after returning thanks to using her work experience as credits. “I didn’t know the adult learning team could do what they did for me, which was make a curriculum with online learning
The road ahead
Pamela O’Neal hands the Resilience award to Pam Nelson. O’Neal is the associate director of student engagement. Photo by Darrek Bishop / The Sunflower
“
Her story reminds us that success doesn’t always follow a straight line, like many of ours do not, and that leadership is not always loud.” KATELYN SCHRAGE Academic Advisor
and internships,” Nelson said. Applied learning opportunities helped her find a passion for working with dementia and hospice patients. Nelson’s work with different non-profits gave her a variety of experiences, from prepping food for patients to learning about fitness and yoga for people with neurological diseases. She also volunteers at a neighborhood care facility, Timeless Care Homes, and is always ready to jump in and help where she’s needed. Every Wednesday, Nelson said she does hand exercises with
patients. Co-founder of Timeless Care Homes Tanner Landry said he has seen Nelson’s commitment to her new path firsthand. “She’s just such a go-getter when it comes to this; you can tell that this is definitely a passion for her,” Landry said. “You can really see that she’s determined to do something in this space.”
Pushing through challenges
Nelson said she thought she wasn’t ready to go back to school for a long time. She struggled to admit to her children that she never
finished college and thought that if she did return, she would have to continue studying French. Her first experience with college was difficult, because she lacked the drive and commitment to her schoolwork, Nelson said. When she finally decided to go back to school, her family was nothing but supportive and helped her along the way. The ability to take online classes helped Nelson deal with challenges she faced as a person with multiple sclerosis. This autoimmune disease can affect an individual’s physical activity and mental faculties.
Nelson plans to continue at WSU by working toward her master’s degree in aging studies, to support her path of working with dementia and hospice patients. Landry has worked to help Nelson find resources and opportunities that will help her move in that direction. “I’m pretty plugged in our network in the health care world, so she started coming with me to different events,” Landry said. “She’ll go on her own to different events and networking events.” Nelson said she is grateful for all the experiences that applied learning has given her and has worked to make the most of every opportunity. Her experience throughout her program reinvigorated what she thought was possible for her. “I love the musical Hamilton… it says ‘I’m not throwing away my shot,’” Nelson said, “I repeat that to myself, and I wish I wouldn’t have thrown away my shot back then.”
Senators, constitutional amendments approved in SGA general elections BY KASS LEWIS
news@thesunflower.com
Wichita State students voted in new student senators, and approved amendments to the Student Government Association’s constitution, along with a new student body president and vice president. The SGA general election ended Wednesday evening. The results were finalized Friday, including write-in winners.
Constitutional amendments passed
All three constitutional amendments on the ballot were approved by the student body. Senate Bill 68-119, which alters the freshman senator eligibility, was approved by 88.1%. Going forward, any student entering college for the first time — with exceptions to dual credit hours earned in high school — is eligible to fill the seat. SB-69-144 passed by 91.7%. The bill aims to “clarify language”
around what the Judicial branch of SGA has authority over. The Judicial branch is in charge of interpreting the SGA bylaws whenever someone appeals a decision made by SGA or any entity funded by student fees. Passed by 68.1% was SB-68158, which changes the title and eligibility of the underserved senator. That seat will now be the at-large senator, and the senators in the seat no longer have to be part of underserved communities as defined by the university. The change came after the Kansas State Finance Council designated student governments “quasi-governmental,” meaning student governments must follow state budget provisos, including the proviso eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion language and initiatives. Budget provisos are conditions put onto funding, and institutions who don’t follow the conditions risk not receiving funding.
SENATE SEAT WINNERS
Senate winners
Also in the election were student senators. Of the 52 open senate seats, 25 were filled, including three write-in winners who are all current senators. Erin Tims and Andrew Beam were write-in winners for honors senator seats in the next session, which will have its first meeting on April 29. Tims is currently an honors senator and a freshman studying political science. Beam is an engineering senator for the current session and is a sophomore studying aerospace engineering with a minor in political science, according to his LinkedIn. Ryan Taylor accepted his write-in win as an at-large senator, which was formerly known as the underserved senator seat. Taylor is currently a freshman senator studying political sciences. Freshman senators will be voted on at the beginning of the fall 2026 semester.
Education Senator n Caiden Berry — 98%
Business Senator n Brayden Short — 27% n Adán Parker — 22.1% n Jamie Winslow — 22.1% n Ryan Whalen — 21.7%
The Sunflower is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association and the Wichita Journalism Collaborative.
LEGAL One free copy of The Sunflower is available to members of the WSU community. Additional copies may be obtained from the newsroom, Elliott Hall 019. The Sunflower is private property and unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable. The Sunflower is funded by a combination of print and online advertisement sales and allocations by the Student Government Association. Copyright @ 2026 The Sunflower. This newspaper, its design, photos and all contents are copyrighted.
Honors Senator n Erin Tims — write-in n Andrew Beam — write-in
Engineering Senator n Matthew Phan — 21.7% n Erin Vance — 16.5% n Sania Mohib — 12.9% n Ahmad Bassaleh — 12.8% n Kabir Bhakta — 12.5% n Alex Le — 11.1%
Health Professions Senator n Eiden Hinojosa — 96.7%
Liberal Arts & Sciences Senator n Braeden Miller — 17.1%
Out of State Senator n Ashly Artiaga Sevilla — 95.3%
International Senator n Zainab Tariq — 94.8%
At-large Senator (Formerly Underserved Senator n Ismail Saeed — 96% n Ryan Taylor — write-in
Adult Learner Senator n Ella Rundquist — 95.8%
CONTACT US
MISSION The Sunflower — both in print and online — will be a timely resource of information about the Wichita State University community. It will report on news, issues, activities, academics and athletics, in addition to offering a forum for discussion, reviews and commentary. It will also be an effective learning opportunity for students, who will have the final authority on what is published.
n Grace Naylor — 16.2% n Amanur Rahman — 14.6% n Josh Mallard — 13.4% n Alani Bland — 13.2% n Case Brown — 12.6%
The Sunflower, founded in 1896, is the student-run news publication covering Wichita State University. The print edition is published Tuesday during the fall and spring semester. The staff publishes daily online at www.thesunflower.com.
019 Elliott Hall 1845 N. Fairmount Ave. Campus Box 13 Wichita, KS 67260-0134 EDITORIAL Taliyah Winn: 316-978-6906 editor@thesunflower.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Taliyah Winn editor@thesunflower.com
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Maleah Evans arts@thesunflower.com
ASSISTANT DESIGN EDITOR Mikah Herzberg mdhzbg@gmail.com
ADVERTISING Kiona Brown: 316-978-6905 admanager@thesunflower.com
MANAGING EDITOR Ainsley Smyth managing@thesunflower.com
SPORTS EDITOR Owen Prothro sports@thesunflower.com
PHOTO EDITOR Zachary Ruth photo@thesunflower.com
FACULTY ADVISER Amy DeVault: 316-978-6052 amy.devault@wichita.edu
NEWS EDITOR Kass Lewis news@thesunflower.com
OPINION EDITOR Mya Scott opinion@thesunflower.com
ADVERTISING MANAGER Kiona Brown admanager@thesunflower.com
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Kami Steinle steinlekami@gmail.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emma Wilks emmawilks78@gmail.com
For a complete staff list, go to www.thesunflower.com
CORRECTIONS The Sunflower is committed to accuracy in its publications. If you find an error in any of its publications, please email the editor at editor@thesunflower.com immediately.
NEWS
www.thesunflower.com
April 14, 2026 | 3
CLEANIN’ THE STREAMS
A trio of volunteers survey the riverbank for litter Saturday for Wichita Clean Streams. The event was hosted by Krystina Furst and the Wichita Riverwalk Cleanup Crew. Photos by Peyton Eck / The Sunflower
Quoc Pham makes his way through the brush Saturday for Wichita Clean Streams. Pham is a Wichita State University student.
A volunteer collects litter along the sidewalks of the Arkansas River on Saturday. Students from Wichita State joined members of Wichita Clean Streams for river cleanup.
Community Service Board Sustainability Chair Emma Simmons make her way across riverbanks. Simmons led the Wichita State volunteers for the Wichita Clean Streams effort Saturday.
A volunteer picks through driftwood Saturday at the Wichita Clean Streams meeting. Volunteers gather monthly along the banks of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers.
Jamarco Clark selected as new vice president for Student Affairs BY KASS LEWIS
news@thesunflower.com
Jamarco Clark addresses the audience at his public forum as part of his interview process for the vice president of Student Affairs role. Clark was one of four final candidates for the role. File photo by Darrek Bishop / The Sunflower
After months of hearing from various candidates and hosting forums for the final four, Jamarco Clark has been selected as Wichita State’s new vice president for Student Affairs. “During the search process, Dr. Clark was widely viewed by all stakeholders as an ideal fit for the position and for WSU,” Provost Monica Lounsbery wrote in an announcement to Academic Affairs faculty and staff Friday morning. The VPSA works under university President Richard Muma to oversee various programs
— like Student Engagement and Belonging and the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing — that focus on student life. Director of the Rhatigan Student Center Kevin Konda will remain interim VPSA until July 1, when Clark begins. Clark is the current vice chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Illinois Springfield. In Clark’s public forum before being selected, he emphasized collaboration and showing up for every student. “So that means the 18-year-old, that means the 50-year-old student who’s continuing education,
that means the post-traditional,” Clark said. “I’m everyone’s vice chancellor, and so I truly believe in that idea of connecting every student.” Clark also said he helps students by finding their “four P’s” — path, places, people and purpose. “For those who were able to participate in campus interviews, I am sure you, as I did, had the opportunity to understand that Dr. Clark has an extraordinary level of commitment to students and their success,” Lounsbery wrote. “I believe he will be an innovator and collaborator for all university divisions.”
College of Education celebrates a century, mission stays the same BY KAMI STEINLE
steinlekami@gmail.com
Founded in 1926, the College of Education celebrated a century of serving Wichita State students and local communities with an open house at the Corbin Education Center on April 11. The college invited alumni, faculty and the community to celebrate with an open house, tours of the Corbin Education Center and remarks about the college’s importance to the university and Wichita community. The College of Education — formerly the College of Applied Studies — has grown significantly from two faculty members and fewer than 30 students at its origin to over 2,000 students today. Its name was changed back to the College of Education earlier in the spring semester because it better “reflects both our history and our future,” said College of Education Dean Jennifer Friend. “For me, it’s a celebration of our past, our history and our legacy,” Friend said. “But, it’s also an opportunity to look to the future
and the opportunities that we have to continue to serve our students and our community.” Friend said that the mission of the College of Education is in line with the founders’ vision: being an accessible, practical and connected part of the Wichita community. “I’m from a long line of educators,” WSU Provost Monica Lounsbery said. “... what we really thought about in our family is how pivotally important education is — public education, specifically — and so I want to tell you from the bottom of my heart … (we) know how important the work is of our College of Education.” Along with educating future teachers, the college offers programs for counseling, educational leadership, school psychology, sports management, exercise science and athletic training. “Today, the College of Education has over 350 affiliation agreements with schools and organizations to provide applied learning placements for our students,” Friend said. “Including our longstanding partnership with
Wichita Public Schools that was nationally recognized.” Hailey Aranda-Mayorga, a senior elementary education major, spoke about her experience with the college during the open house. “I put my trust in the College of Education, and I’m so thankful that I did because the elementary education program has been such a wonderful experience for me and such an awesome journey to be a part of,” Aranda-Mayorga said. Aranda-Mayorga said her experience working in Wichita Public Schools went very well because the College of Education makes “you feel so prepared and they teach you exactly what the kids need.” “The College of Education is tackling one of the most urgent challenges facing our state, and I will say country, and that is educator workforce shortages,” Lounsbery said. The Corbin Education Center stands as one of the “most visible symbols of the college,” according to Friend, built in 1964 and designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
The college also partners with the Credit Union of America, and the union’s Senior Business Development Officer, Bradley Dyer Jr., thanked former Provost and Dean of the College of Education, Shirley Lefever, who initiated the partnership. “Through a vision she had, and you heard Dr. Lounsbery mention this, and what was then a very innovative program known as the Teacher Apprentice Program or TAP,” Dyer said. “And it is an honor for CUA to continue supporting that program today.” Dyer said that the same types of innovation are seen under Friend’s leadership as well; the college is working with the Credit Union of America to remove barriers such as fees for practice licensure for College of Education students. “This centennial feels especially meaningful this year because we are returning to our name, College of Education,” Friend said. “... What I found most inspiring about reaching 100 years is not simply the length of time, it is that continuity of purpose.”
Student Senate adds protections against student org discrimination BY MYA SCOTT
opinion@thesunflower.com
Wichita State’s Student Senate passed legislation amending the Student Bill of Rights to add protections against discrimination in student organizations. The bill adds a sixth article to the Student Bill of Rights, saying students can not be discriminated against in “funding, participation, evaluation, registration, advising, attending, housing or any other aspect of University life.” This amendment adds protections for students with disabilities and also protections based on ethnicity, culture, age, veteran status, gender and sexuality. The bill was developed last SGA session to protect WSU students following the lawsuit by multiple states regarding Section 504 protections, which defend students with disabilities from discrimination, in 2025. “This is basically just an amendment to the Student Bill of Rights to guarantee protections for disabled students and other groups that would’ve lost protections had that lawsuit gone through,” Adult Learners Senator and sponsor of the bill, Andrew Hatch, said when the bill was first introduced on March 25. “I know it’s still in the courts right now, however, just preemptively getting ahead of any changes that might happen to 504 protections guaranteeing our students the right to participate in campus activities regardless of disability status.” The vote passed with unanimous support on April 8. The Student Senate meets every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and live streamed on SGA’s YouTube. Students, faculty and staff can speak in the public forum period at each meeting.
SPORTS
4 | April 14, 2026 www.thesunflower.com
HAVE A STORY IDEA? Contact the Sports editor, Owen Prothro sports@thesunflower.com
PORTAL PAULERS: Transfer portal update — April 14 RETURNERS
Williams
Battie
Hill
Berg
Gray Jr.
Valencia
‘HUGE UPGRADE’
Hurdles in front of the curve on the southeast side of University Stadium on April 9, 2026. Renovations to University Stadium, formerly Cessna Stadium, began in 2023. Photo by Owen Prothro / The Sunflower Couisnard
Thengvall
Ighovodja
Rathan-Mayes
TRANSFERRING IN
University Stadium track gets facelift, new throwing area BY OWEN PROTHRO
sports@thesunflower.com
Jordan Frison
DEPARTURES
Kindell
Amuneke
Okorafor
? ? ?
GRADUATES
Boyd
Giles
Two outdoor track and field meets scheduled for spring 2026 were canceled last December due to weather-related construction delays at Wichita State’s University Stadium. Brad Pittman, Wichita State’s associate athletic director of facilities and operations, told The Sunflower at the time that the new track was expected to be put in by late April or early May this year. On April 8, Pittman said it’s now ahead of schedule. Because of rising temperatures and relatively dry weather since then, the construction crew began installing the track near the end of February and finished painting the lines during the last weekend of March, Pittman said. Wichita State’s track and field athletes have been able to utilize it now since the beginning of April. “We are so excited about the new track and field facility in University Stadium here at Wichita State,” head coach Steve Rainbolt said in a statement. “As I’ve watched it unfold out of the window of my office, I’m more and more convinced all the time it’s going to be one of the finest track and field facilities in the entire country.” The track’s lanes have been widened, and a ninth lane was added as part of the installation. The bounciness of the rubber will be easier on joints like knees and
“ I love this track. I can’t wait to run on it May 8. That’s the only time we’re going to have a meet on it this season, and I’ve been very excited.” JASON PARRISH Junior sprinter and hurdler, WSU track and field
ankles, too, junior Jason Parrish said. Parrish, who competes in hurdles and sprints for the Shockers, said it’s made a big difference so far. “I almost feel faster when I run on a new track,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s a placebo effect or something. But yeah, there’s a big difference.” Parrish explained that the widened lanes will help, especially during relay events, because they limit the number of times a runner is bumped compared to narrower lanes. He also said during hurdle events that “there’s less room for error” in narrow lanes and that the wider lanes are “just better, overall.” And having nine lanes total has been helpful because the team can practice multiple events at the same time while receiving the same amount of coaching. “It’s definitely a positive for the coaches,” senior Jenna Kuepker said. “They don’t have to run backand-forth. It’s all going to be right here for us.” “It’s a huge upgrade,” Parrish
added. “During practice, we can go three lanes. I can still do my 400-hurdles in another lane, and there’s still room for distance runners and sprinters to run.” On top of the renovations to the track, all throwing events — javelin, shot put, hammer, discus and weight throw — will be held on the field just southwest of the stadium. Shot put events were previously held inside the stadium itself. Now, all throwers have their own space to practice and compete. A new runway was added for javelin throwers and for shot put throwers. “It’s definitely going to be different,” Kuepker, a javelin thrower, said. “Last year, we had one (throwing area) in there (the stadium) and one out here. “Consistency is going to be great, because we’re going to focus mainly out here. I like it so far.” Pittman said that the two meets — the KT Woodman Classic and Shocker Pre-State Challenge — will remain canceled, however, out of precaution.
“We didn’t want to have a meet and not be certain we can put it on because that’s no good for teams that sign up for it,” Pittman said. “Hindsight is always 20/20, and if I had a crystal ball, I would’ve said go ahead. “But none of us have that, so we did the prudent thing knowing that we were going to be done by the end of April.” While “hindsight is 20/20,” Rainbolt’s comment about having “one of the finest track and field facilities in the entire country” seems to be taking place. Pittman said a goal down the line with the renovations is to host bigger events, like USA Track and Field Championships and potentially NCAA Outdoor Championships, along with continuing to host the Kansas State High School All-Class Meet. With big events comes the potential to sign big recruits. “People notice the difference,” Kuepker, a Hutchinson Community College transfer, said. “We hold state here every year and it’s just getting better.” For now, Wichita State’s track and field team will have another month to practice on its new facilities before hosting the Shocker Open May 8. “I love this track,” Parrish said. “I can’t wait to run on it on May 8. That’s the only time we’re going to have a meet on it this season, and I’ve been very excited.”
Women’s tennis ties program record with 17th-straight win BY MADDOX TOPLIFF
maddoxtopliff07@gmail.com
The 50th iteration of Wichita State women’s tennis and Tulsa on the clay court ended in Shocker history. WSU’s 4-1 win in a senior day showdown Saturday marked its 17th straight victory, tying a program record and extending one of the best seasons for the program, as the Shockers sit at No. 28 in the ITA rankings. Five seniors were honored at the Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex: Theodora Chantava, Anne Knuettel, Kristina Kudryavtseva, Tatyana Nikolenko and Vichitraporn Vimuktananda. Head coach Jacob Eddins praised this year’s graduating class, saying, “They’ve meant everything to the program … they’ve impacted this program so much.” The win Saturday also secured a perfect 6-0 record in the American Conference for WSU and preserved an undefeated home record, winning all nine matches. The Golden Hurricane fell to 13-11 and 3-3 in conference play. Wichita State was able
to get revenge after Tulsa knocked it out of the American Conference tournament last year’s quarterfinals. The No. 34-ranked duo of Giorgia Roselli and Xin Tong Wang showed why they garner national attention, setting the tone with a 6-2 victory for WSU on doubles court one. Chantava and Kudryavtseva fell 4-1 on court two, but rattled off five straight games to win 6-4, securing the Shockers’ doubles point. Knuettel and Vimuktananda’s doubles match was left unfinished, ahead 4-3. The doubles point was the Shockers’ 17th of the season, and they are now 16-1 when securing it. They carried that momentum into singles play, dropping just one court. Wang began singles play strong with a 6-0, 6-4 win on court one. Nikolenko followed her with a 6-1, 7-5 victory of her own on court six. Chantava, who is ranked No. 102 in singles, fell in a hard-fought match on court three, 7-5, 7-5. Vimuktananda sealed the victory for the Shockers, with a 7-5, 6-4
showing on court four. “They’ve worked hard all year and came up in some really big moments in the season,” Eddins said. The team’s biggest moments are still ahead, however, as they are in prime position for an NCAA tournament berth. The Shockers will travel to Houston, Texas, first for the American Conference Championship from April 16-19 at the George R. Brown Tennis Center, looking to secure an automatic NCAA bid.
TOURNAMENT SEEDING 1. Wichita State: 4-0 (19-3) 2. Charlotte: 3-0 (21-3) 3. Rice: 1-2 (13-6) 4. Tulsa: 0-0 (13-11) 5. Florida Atlantic: 1-1 (8-8) 6. North Texas: 1-1 (16-7) 7. Tulane: 1-1 (9-11) 8. UAB: 0-1 (10-10) 9. Temple: 0-0 (9-9) 10. UTSA: 0-2 (1-6) 11. Memphis: 0-1 (2-17) 12. South Florida: 1-4 (5-14) 13. East Carolina: 0-0 (4-10)
Wichita State women’s tennis senior Kristina Kudryavtseva eyes the ball for a return against Tulsa on April 11 at the Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex. The Shockers’ 4-1 win tied a program record of 17 in a row. Photo by Garima Thapa / The Sunflower
SPORTS
www.thesunflower.com
April 14, 2026 | 5
Women’s bowling falls short of national title in championship match BY MACK SMITH
mackred22@gmail.com
A season filled with resilience ended just short of a title for Wichita State women’s bowling. After battling out of the elimination bracket for the second time in two weeks, the Shockers fell in the national championship best-of-seven against Jacksonville State Saturday evening at Yorktown Lanes in Parma Heights, Ohio in their second year of NCAA competition. WSU’s season ended at 79-36 after the loss. For the second straight year, the Shockers fell to Jacksonville State in the opening round of the Final
Four on Friday morning to begin the two days of competition. The Gamecocks swept the Shockers 2-0 in their opening round game. Jacksonville State took the traditional point, winning 11651049. Junior Ashtyn Woods was the Shockers’ highest scorer. Woods had 268 points and collected nine strikes. The Gamecocks were able to take the Baker total pinfall point right after to sweep the Shockers and drop them to the elimination bracket. Going into the fifth and final game, however, WSU had a slim 942-941 lead. Jacksonville State then took the fifth game 257220 to take the point, 1198-1162.
The Shockers lived to bowl another day Friday afternoon by beating Arkansas State 2-0 in their first elimination game. WSU won the traditional match 1162-949, where junior Aleesha Oden rolled a perfect 300 to push the Shockers to the victory. In the total pinfall match, WSU won the first four games, eventually leading to a 1188-1030 win against the Red Wolves. With the chance of making the national championship on the line, the Shockers had to face Vanderbilt Saturday morning, a team they had been winless against going into the match. WSU ended the pattern, beating the Commodores 2-1.
Vanderbilt took the traditional point, winning 1106-1027. Oden once again was the Shockers’ leading scorer, scoring 257 points. One match from facing a season-ending loss, the Shockers rallied to win the total pinfall 1038992 to force a best-of-seven series. The Commodores took game one by a score of 225-212. The Shockers responded with a narrow one-pin victory in game two to even the score. WSU rattled off two more wins to put them on the doorstep of a win. Vanderbilt took game five to keep the match moving. But a 269207 game six win sent the Shockers to the national championship.
The best-of-seven championship finale started the Shockers’ way, but Jacksonville State picked up four straight victories to take it. In game one, the Gamecocks started with the lead, but a late Shocker strike run led WSU to a 216-208 win. Jacksonville State tied the match up, taking game two, 246-213. The Shockers started the third game hot, getting four strikes on the first five frames. However, Jacksonville State took the third game. Jacksonville State took the final two games 185-169 and 191-184 to win the national championship.
RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY
How softball swept UTSA after 3-hour rain delay BY OWEN PROTHRO
sports@thesunflower.com
A three-hour rain delay could’ve produced a different weekend. But Wichita State used it to regain. Trailing by two runs when the tarp was rolled out in the bottom of the third inning of Friday’s series opener against Texas-San Antonio, the Shockers used the extra time to receive pointers, watch film and adjust for what was next. “Me and Coach O (Courtney Oliver-Elkins) watched film, went over what went wrong in the earlier innings,” sophomore Ryley Nihart said. “I felt a thousand times better back out after that rain delay, and I think it showed.” It did. Nihart delivered four scoreless innings afterward and the Shockers tacked on three runs of their own in the fifth for a 3-2 win. The momentum from the reset then translated into a Saturday doubleheader originally scheduled for Friday, as WSU completed its second series sweep this season with 12-4 and 3-1 wins. The Shockers (24-15, 12-6 American) have now won five straight games in conference play. “There’s so much parity in our conference. Every single chance that somebody gets to play each other, you just never know who’s going to win,” head coach Kristi Bredbenner said. “For us to have two (sweeps) this year and just continue to play good softball at the right time and getting better and different people stepping up was a really good weekend for us.” Freshman Kammie Smith was one of the players Bredbenner mentioned to have stepped up over the weekend. She helped flip the scoreboard in the fifth inning of Friday’s rain-delayed game. On a 2-2 count with one out, Smith rifled a shot to deep center field, allowing Kinzey Woody and Morgan Lloyd to cross home plate. The hit went down as Smith’s first triple of her collegiate career. Graduate student Johnna Schroeder hit a single later in the
“ I felt a thousand times better back out after that rain delay, and I think it showed.” RYLEY NIHART Sophomore pitcher, WSU softball
frame that decided the final score. “I knew it was a big-time situation,” Smith said later. Smith has hit 14-for-26 and has driven in nine runs over an eight game hitting streak that started March 29 at South Florida. The Shockers then followed up the series-opening win with a 12-4 decision that ended after the fifth inning. Sophomore Ava Sliger (6-1) started in the circle and pitched a complete game, giving up four runs on nine hits and striking out one batter. “Ava’s growing and she’s really learning, and she’s taking advantage of her opportunities,” Bredbenner said. “She’s proven that she can be a really good starter for us and an excellent No. 2. “We’re excited about her growth and her growth mindset more than anything.” WSU ended up using just two pitchers over the weekend: Nihart and Sliger. Nihart (10-9) was given the start in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader and gave up the lone run on a solo homer and struck out four Roadrunners. “Everything was working well this weekend,” Nihart said. “Off-speed was on. The rise (ball) helped us a lot today (Saturday). … That was what led to the success.” And while Sliger’s arm kept UTSA (20-15, 8-10) in check during Game 1, the Shockers’ bats came alive. They put up a five-spot in the second inning after Mackenzie Rooney and Ausha Moore each hit multi-RBI home runs.
Woody, a freshman, added four more in the third with a towering grand slam to left field. She later sealed the run-rule victory with a two-run shot to right-center field for her second home run of the game and seventh of the season. WSU didn’t stop there. In Game 2, sophomore Aeryn Shuman and Moore each went yard for solo home runs in the second and third innings, respectively. Woody added an insurance run later in the fifth on an RBI single. Bredbenner said the way the underclassmen showed up over the weekend is a positive sign for the program moving forward. “That’s huge,” Bredbenner said. “Because, I think foundationally, you hope you’re going to have them for another three years. “They’re getting so much experience, and the part that’s so cool is to see them from Feb. 8 to where we are on April 11 — they’ve grown. They’ve gotten better. They’re so much more mature, and they’ve got so much more growth in them.” With a weekend sweep now behind it, Wichita State will look to carry its momentum into a series at Charlotte from April 17-19 to begin an eight-game stint on the road.
Above: Wichita State softball sophomore pitcher Ryley Nihart (13) winds up to pitch against UTSA on April 10 at Wilkins Stadium. Nihart struck out three Roadrunners in the first game of the series. Below: Wichita State softball freshman infielder Kammie Smith (9) reacts after hitting a triple against UTSA on April 10 at Wilkins Stadium. Smith’s first career triple tied the score at two in the fifth inning. Photos by Ellery Prothro / The Sunflower
CONFERENCE STANDINGS 1. South Florida: 14-4 (32-13) 2. North Texas: 13-5 (24-19) 3. Wichita State: 12-6 (24-15) 4. Charlote: 10-8 (25-19) 5. East Carolina: 9-9 (25-20) 6. Florida Atlantic: 8-10 (26-16) 7. UTSA: 8-10 (20-25) 8. Tulsa: 7-11 (16-24) 9. UAB: 6-12 (19-24) 10. Memphis: 3-15 (14-30)
Baseball steals series from conference-leading UAB on the road BY EVAN LONG
evan.long.soccer@gmail.com
Nolan Ganter, who hadn’t hit a home run all season, blasted a pair of two-run homers in a decisive Game 3 as the Shockers took down American Conference-leading UAB 10-2 on Sunday to capture the series victory in Birmingham, Ala. The first home run, to dead center field, came in the top of the third inning and extended Wichita State’s lead to 3-0. Ganter’s second bomb, in the top of the eighth, put WSU up 5-2. A junior first baseman, Ganter finished the game with three hits, four RBIs and two runs scored. The Shockers (23-14, 7-5 American) defeated the Blazers (23-13, 8-4 American) 5-4 in 10 innings in Game 2 on Saturday after falling in the series opener 4-3 on Friday night. Wichita State has won three of four conference series and sits one game back from first place in the league standings after the weekend. Ganter wasn’t the only Shocker
Wichita State baseball junior Nolan Ganter (31) stands in the batter’s box against UAB on April 12 at Young Memorial Field in Birmingham, Ala. Photo courtesy of Nick Flynn / Wichita State Athletics
who delivered at the plate in Game 3, as outfielder Jacob Gutierrez recorded three hits and two runs in the victory. Gutierrez hit 8-for-14 with two RBIs and three runs during the series. Another WSU hitter who lit up the box score Sunday was designated hitter Owen Washburn, who had two hits, a walk and an RBI and three runs in the contest.
Third baseman Jayson Jones was also excellent offensively. In four at bats, Jones finished with two hits, three RBIs and two runs. Jones mashed a three-run homer to left-center field to blow the game open, at 10-2, in the top of the ninth. WSU’s pitching was outstanding on Sunday as well. Johnny Nuanez (4-1) got the start and earned the
win after hurling 6 2/3 scoreless innings before allowing a tworun homer in the bottom of the seventh. Nuanez, who threw 106 pitches, allowed just five hits, two walks and two earned runs to go along with five strikeouts. Lefty Brady Owens was also effective on the mound. He threw two relief innings and allowed two hits, no walks and no runs while striking out three batters. Coming into the series, UAB was first in the American in home runs with 51, but the Shockers only gave up one home run in the series. The Shockers also made impressive plays in the field during Game 3. Jones, who committed two errors in the previous game, dove toward the third-base line to field a grounder and rifled the throw to first to beat the runner in the bottom of the third. Wichita State also turned a 6-4-3 double play in the fourth in support of Nuanez. In the seventh inning, center fielder Anthony Cepeda caught a deep fly
ball before banging into the wall. Wichita State wouldn’t have had a chance to take the series if it weren’t for late-inning heroics in Game 2. With two outs in the 10th inning, shortstop Owen Rush singled to drive in Jack Quick, who reached base with a two-strike double to left. Graduate closer Brady Pacha, who gave up a rare run in the ninth to extend the game to extra innings, sealed the victory in the bottom of the 10th by striking out a UAB hitter looking for the final out with a man on second. Graduate lefty Dax Sharp (three innings), junior Brady Hamilton (four innings) and Pacha (three innings) combined for eight strikeouts, three walks and one earned run. The Shockers, after a big weekend in Birmingham, will take on in-state rival Kansas next at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.
OPINION
6 | April 14, 2026 www.thesunflower.com
HAVE A STORY IDEA? Contact the Opinion editor, Mya Scott opinion@thesunflower.com
WHO DO YOU
Illustration by Mikah Herzberg / The Sunflower
TRUST?
Attacks on birthright Should students trust big institutions? citizenship threaten the Here’s what I found at Wichita State. fabric of U.S. society Josh Pfleger-Bernat jbernat13@gmail.com
OPINION President Donald Trump is attempting to end over 150 years of constitutional law protecting birthright citizenship, with the stroke of a pen — or Sharpie. Birthright citizenship is protected by the 14th Amendment, which was passed to rectify the 1857 Dred Scott v. Sanford Supreme Court decision. In Dred Scott, the court decided that the U.S. Constitution did not allow people of African descent to gain citizenship. This is cited as a triggering event that led to the Civil War. The 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause established birthright citizenship by stating, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside.” Trump signed an executive order, Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship, on Jan. 20, 2025. The order would prevent citizenship by birth for children based on their parents legal status. The problem is the president does not have the authority to invalidate constitutional Amendments through executive order, and the legal arguments backing the order have no basis to stand on. If a president could do this, what’s stopping them from taking away women’s right to vote, ending free speech or changing how long they can be president? Trump’s three main arguments for ending birthright citizenship are stopping birth tourism, parents’ immigration status affecting birthright citizenship eligibility and claiming the 14th Amendment only applies to formerly enslaved people. One can only guess that the president lacks the basic ability to use Google, because that is all it takes to undermine each of these positions. Trump’s administration argues birth tourism incentives mothers without legal status to give birth in the U.S., so their children gain citizenship. At the very end of his first term, he attempted to address this by changing visa rules. Because this is so important to Trump’s position on birthright citizenship, it must be a major issue… right? According to the CDC, about 3.6 million babies are born in the U.S. per year. What’s the worrying number of babies born to mothers without legal status? It’s around 9,000, or 0.25%, of total births. To put it another way, it makes up less than half of the number of students enrolled at WSU this last fall. Not exactly the pressing issue that Trump and other officials make it out to be. Even when looking at numbers of births from mothers designated as temporary visitors, those only made up 2% of all births reported in 2023. On the contrary, a friend of the court brief, filed by 141 professors opposing the executive order, says 255,000 babies per year would be
negatively impacted. Solicitor General John Sauer argued that parents’ legal residency can affect birthright citizenship eligibility, despite that never being the case. The Supreme Court case US v. Wong Kim Ark affirmed that being born on U.S. soil superseded other exclusions to citizenship. Wong Kim Ark was born to Chinese immigrant parents, when the Chinese Exclusion Act barred them from becoming naturalized citizens. The Court found that Wong being born in the U.S. exempted him from the Chinese Exclusion Act and affirmed the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause. Sauer’s logic says Wong gained birthright citizenship, because his parents treated the U.S as a permanent home and not from being born on U.S. soil. Nearly all Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical of this premise, including Trump appointed Justice Neil Gorsuch who cited 19th century debates over the 14th Amendment. “In none of the debates do we have parents discussed,” Gorsuch said. “And you don’t see domicile mentioned in the debates. The absence is striking.” Claims that the 14th Amendment was meant only for formerly enslaved people focuses on the phrasing “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” Trump’s administration believes this phrasing creates exclusion for parents that live in the U.S. illegally. Cecilia Wang, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, argued that legal focus should stay on the newborn. “The question that the 14th Amendment asks is whether the U.S.-born child is subject to U.S. jurisdiction when they’re born,” Wang said. The reality is the Trump administration does not care how it would work out for newborn children or their families. A report from the Migration Policy Institute said removing birthright citizenship would weaken social cohesion, hinder economic growth and mobility, and build an underclass that cannot access necessary services. It will also hinder anyone wanting to go to college. Plyer v. Doe established that denying children access to K-12 education violated the 14th Amendment, but this does not extend to universities. Undocumented students cannot access federal financing options like student loans or Pell Grants. The Kansas legislature has passed Senate Bill 254 to bar undocumented students from being eligible for in-state tuition. The bill was vetoed by Governor Laura Kelly. Regardless of any points made on historical facts, legislative intent or any other justification, the bottom-line is this is a cruel and unnecessary action. It provides no benefit other than Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, — who leads Trump’s immigration policy — having his blatantly racist viewpoints validated. When the president’s immigration policy is in the hands of someone who gave a public speech echoing statements made by officials in Nazi Germany, you know it has gone way too far.
Ainsley Smyth
managing@thesunflower.
OPINION I think it’s important to start by noting that you won’t usually find my name in the opinion section. In general, I find a lot more value in sharing information than adding my opinion to the deluge of voices that make up public discourse. And this isn’t a column where I tell you how to vote, what to think or to call your congressperson. Instead, I just want to give you some food for thought. And I want to hear back from you. On Thursday, I went to cover a speaker on campus: H.R. McMaster, a retired Army lieutenant general and former national security adviser, who was here as part of the annual Craig W. Barton Speaker Series. McMaster, whether you agree or disagree with him, is clearly an expert on his subject matter. He was fighting in Iraq before I was born, and again while I was learning to read and ride my bike. As I left the event and then started writing my story, I felt for the first time ever that my voice might actually add something here. Or rather, maybe it was just an urge to speak to you directly for once. You. Reading this in the Rhatigan Student Center, waiting for your friends or maybe clicking on a headline on your social media feed. One big reason for this was that, as I stood up when the event ended and scanned the crowd for audience members who looked like they would answer my questions and share their thoughts on what McMaster said, I noticed a stark lack of people under 30. Actually, I struggled to find people under 50. It was particularly an issue that weighed on my mind because McMaster — in addition to expressing his support for the war and lamenting the lack of transparent, consistent messaging from our government about it — talked briefly about the lack of trust people, particularly the average college-aged person, have in institutions like news organizations and government. McMaster talked about what he called a “crisis of confidence.” “What I’m worried most about these days is the erosion of our confidence and our democratic principles and institutions and processes,” McMaster said. He went on to list various events and shifts that contributed toward this, and to tie this lack of confidence to President Donald Trump’s political success — not a new idea. Really, what I left this event wanting to know was: Is there really a crisis of confidence among my peers? How does this influence their views, their outlook on life? My instinct was that yes, this is very real. I don’t even think I need to explain. You know it too. The day after the event, I wanted to talk to students about this. I asked questions like: “Do you trust institutions, like news organizations or government?” “What do you think about the Iran war and other geopolitical events?” “And how are these two
People gather at the Miller Concert Hall for a moderated discussion for the 2026 Barton Speaker Series on April 8. This year’s speaker featured H. R. McMaster. Photos by Garima Thapa / The Sunflower
connected?” And of course, “Is there hope?” Here’s what I found. Ramey Anderson and Madelyn Schick were eating lunch in the RSC on Thursday when I asked if they would answer some questions about these topics. The answer was an enthusiastic yes. When I asked how much faith they had in information from media and government, Anderson, a cybersecurity major, said: “I have absolutely none.” “There is so much information that has been hidden from us that you have to go seek out it’s not public information,” Anderson said. “You have to go digging for it.” Schick, a political science major, also expressed doubt about how trustworthy the news is. “With international news right now, a lot of things are being reported in other countries about (the U.S.) about us that we don’t know about,” she said. “There are so many U.S. citizens that don’t actually know about all the details going on with Iran and Israel and everything that’s going on with prices economically, and then also with international relations and all that.” Schick added, “I think another issue that we have with trusting media is also just the lack of media awareness. Like a lot of people don’t know how to navigate the news, and they don’t know how to find trusted and reputable sources.” While they said there is a lot of reason to distrust news sources, they both listed a few national and local news outlets — like KWCH and KAKE — that they get information from, and emphasized the importance of checking multiple sources. Anderson said she didn’t support the war with Iran, but that “some aspects are
necessary.” “It’s been going on since before I was born,” she said. “Sign a treaty. There’s other ways to figure it out, other than nuking each other into nonexistence, like Trump had tweeted out the other day — which was insane, that ‘an entire civilization will die tonight’ and ‘never to return again.’” Another student in the RSC, Preston Cyrier, expressed slightly more trust in information from news organizations and government sources. And while he said he gets some of his news from social media, he also emphasized doing your homework before believing information. “The Associated Press, I like that it’s pretty unbiased,” he said. “I also trust the government generally, but I still like to check if I can. And I don’t believe everything they say, cause some of it’s a little crazy.” So that’s what a few of our peers think when it comes to trusting institutions, following the news and checking information. I’ll admit, I expected to find one or two people who said they get their information mostly from social media. I was happily surprised to find that students have a good understanding of reasonable doubt about information they see, and the importance of doing research and checking multiple sources. But I’d also like to hear from you: do you trust the news? The government? Have they given you a reason to? Retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster participates in the 2026 Barton Speaker Series discussion. McMaster served the U.S. Army as the 25th United States National Security Advisor from 2017-18.
HAVE A STORY IDEA? Contact the Arts editor, Maleah Evans arts@thesunflower.com
ARTS & CULTURE
Sept. 9, 2025 | 3 www.thesunflower.com
‘HOPE IN THE HEARTLAND’ Wichita documentary wins regional Emmy BY DARREK BISHOP
darrekbishop07@gmail.com
M
eant as a way to spread information about the homelessness situation, regional Emmy winner “Hope in the Heartland” serves as a testimony to what can be accomplished by a group of people taking pride in the work they do. The documentary was produced by Ryan Gates, a lecturer at Wichita State. Gates collaborated with the Wichita Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement project, a grant-funded initiative to confront homelessness in the city. Beginning in 2023, Gates and members of his team met up with the director of the housing department for Wichita, Sally Stang, and the HOPE grant facilitator Angeline F. Johnson, where they decided to document the homelessness situation after being hired by the city to help educate people about homelessness. “In those discussions (we) came to the (conclusion) ‘Let’s do more long form style videography, let’s not make talking head commercials,’” said Gates. “Let’s go out and document.” With that decision comes more realism, he said, but also the risk of negatively portraying the people who hired his team to make the documentary. “We’re not going to control the narrative, we’re going to go and document,” Gates said. The team set out in early 2024. It took around eight months of filming and editing close to a thousand hours of footage down to one hour and forty minutes, but the final documentary was released in January 2025. According to Gates, this was a short window to make a documentary. “We knew that we had a tight timeline for it, so the stories that we focused on were things that were happening right then and there,” said Gates.
However, Gates said that they did luck out on the timing of production, since Second Light opened right at the end of their filming period. Second Light is a multi-agency shelter and services center that is designed to give resources to actively or at-risk homeless people through a one-stop resource hub.
‘An eye-opening realization’
Where many people say Wichita has a homeless problem, Gates does not. “I don’t call it a homeless problem, I call it a homeless situation,” Gates said. “We worked on misconceptions and nomenclature and whatnot throughout this (documentary).” One such example is that homelessness is not just something that happens in the background; homeless people have complex stories that often get overlooked. “Through this project, I learned a lot about (how) homeless people are very much our neighbors,” said Gates. “I have homeless neighbors, and they are human beings, they have families, they have things going on in their life. “Meeting so many people and seeing how many families were homeless, how many single moms, how many kids are sleeping in cars or sofa surfing.” Gates and his team found the experience was a rough realization of a grimmer reality, which is happening nearby, constantly. “It’s one thing to see, maybe some people sleeping on the streets, it’s another thing when you go kind of in the encampments and see just how many people there are,” said Calvin Shadle, who worked on the documentary as an associate producer and camera operator. “(It) was kind of eye-opening just to see, this is their day-to-day life is — no walls, no door, no lock, you’re just out there with all these other people.” However, these were not the only
Photo courtesy of Ryan Gates
“
I don’t call it a homeless problem, I call it a homeless solution. We worked on misconceptions and nomenclature and whatnot throughout this (documentary).” RYAN GATES Documentary producer, WSU lecturer
Submitting the documentary for awards you just keep trying until it sticks,” said Gates. Caitlin, the person who was chosen to be the main focus of the documentary, is an example of this. “In the documentary – not to give away the ending – she does get housed,” said Gates. “She was there for a couple of weeks, and she lost her housing.” “We continued to follow her, she dropped off the map for a while and then she re-engaged, we started seeing her again. That’s kind of Caitlin’s thing … She’ll pop up again and we’ll go through the process again.”
realizations that the crew had in the process. “Those that are drinking or using drugs are going through one of the worst periods of their life, and they’re in an impossible situation that, unless you’ve experienced it, you can’t understand,” Gates said. “If you are going through something and you are going through trauma, and if you’re having anxiety, you’re having depression, I go to my doctor, and my doctor’s gonna be like ‘let’s get you some Lexapro, let’s get you some counselling.’ “If you’re on the street and you’re hustling and you don’t have these things and alcohol is there or drugs are there, I mean, it’s self-medication.” Situations like homelessness are hard to solve, even as a team, but resources such as Second Light and Project HOPE can help alleviate some of the pain. It isn’t easy to solve this issue however, especially when some have just lived one way for so long. “Getting somebody rehoused who’s been chronically homeless isn’t a ‘here’s the keys, off you go’,
Opportunities for growth
This project wouldn’t have happened if not for Justin Rohrbaugh, the director of the school of digital arts at Wichita State. The documentary team was able to use the podcast studio and the sound stage in Shocker Studios as secondary filming and interview locations. “Justin … is the one who gave me a lot of opportunities seven or
Sigma Phi Epsilon wins 2026 Hippodrome BY MYA SCOTT
opinion@thesunflower.com
Each year, Greek organizations across campus take to the stage and perform in the campus’s longestrunning tradition: Hippodrome. This year’s theme was “Huxley: Goes Viral,” and true to the theme, several of the skits were reminiscent of the last year’s most viral trends, such as “Wicked: For Good,” “Superman” and the infamous “6-7” joke. Huxley is the event’s hippo mascot. Sigma Phi Epsilon won last year’s Hippodrome and wrote history as back-to-back champions at the end of this year’s award ceremony, adding another trophy to the display case. But the journey wasn’t easy. Jamie “Junior” Rivan, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, said even though the initial writing process was delayed, he felt his team was prepared for the show. “We’re excited,” Rivan said before his performance. “We’ve seen everyone’s shows, and they’re lovely. We’re ready to bring on the A-game.”
GÓMEZ-PEÑA / FROM PAGE 1
Open letter to Jan Brewer
Gómez-Peña finished his performance and lecture with a reading of his open letter to Jan Brewer, the former governor of Arizona. The letter specifically focuses on her signing of SB 1070 into law, which created some of the strictest immigration policies in the United States. After the law was passed, he said that artists from around the state and surrounding areas responded with defiant actions and various open letters. He said that he shared
Rivan said he was hoping for another win after weeks of late practices that sometimes ran to 1 a.m. The late-night practices and bringing the “A-game” paid off. Zachary Winter, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon — which won second place at the 2026 Hippodrome — played a character whose entire theme was “6-7,” including his tie, covered in scribbles of the numbers. “I was a stagehand last year,” Winter said. “But I knew I wanted a bigger role, so I voiced my opinion.” Winter said he was really happy with the performance of his fraternity brothers and the sorority they partnered with, Alpha Phi. “During the beginning, it was real shaky, and I was like, ‘I don’t know how we’re going to do it,’” he said. “But during this last week (in rehearsals), we pulled it together and really locked in.” Carter Cameron, a sophomore and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, said it felt great to win back-to-back
the original letter at the “worst of Jan Brewer’s madness,” but he has revised it for “Do-naldo Trump-as.” “I write to you in hopes of making you aware of some fundamental contradictions in your cultural behavior and political ideas and to help you be more consistent with your claims,” he writes. “I write to you in English, so there won’t be any misunderstandings.” In the letter, he lists cities, companies, sports teams, cars and states that should be renamed due to their links to the Spanish language, asking politicians for suggestions.
eight years ago and has become a fierce friend and got me teaching again,” said Gates. “So working through Justin and having Shocker Studios as a resource – we film everything, all of our interviews that you see that aren’t on location were shot either on the Sound stage or the podcast studio.” The utilization of Shocker Studios was just part of the partnership that went into creating this documentary. Every part of the team was related to the university in some way. “I’m the only non-student, but every single crew member that worked on this was either faculty, alum, or student at Wichita State, and I think that is pretty cool,” said Gates.
At some point of creating this documentary, Gates, associate producer and camera operator Calvin Shadle and director of the film program at Shocker Studios Robert Thomas took a good look at it. “We were like ‘this is really good and potentially award winning,’” Gates said. “So we had a meeting with Sally Stang, the director of housing, and (said) one of the things we should probably shoot for, is we should apply for a regional Emmy.” The ceremony for the regional Emmys takes place in Oklahoma, and the group attended, despite not knowing if they would win or not. “There was a shocked/notshocked thing where we were in Oklahoma for this thing and going into it, we were like ‘hey, if it wins, it wins — if it doesn’t, it’s fine,” said Gates. “In my head, I’m sitting there going ‘it’s not going to win’ and they call our name first and Cal and I looked at each other in this ‘what is happening, like did we just…’ “The award ceremony is on July 19th, which is my birthday, so it’s a pretty darn good birthday present.”
PREVIEW Japan Festival calls for poets to create haikus BY DARREK BISHOP
darrekbishop07@gmail.com
Students from the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity celebrate after being named the winners of the 98th annual Hippodrome skit and variety show. Hippodrome is the longest running campus tradition at Wichita State. Photo by Zachary Ruth / The Sunflower
we needed to,” Carter said. “I do everything for this fraternity. I love it to death. I’ll perform every year.”
championships, and he looks forward to next year’s Hippodrome. “We put in as much work as
“
Those who you call illegals, those who you call criminal aliens, might be the oldest inhabitants of the Americas. Are you aware of this?” GUILLERMO GÓMEZ-PEÑA Chincao performance artist
“You may also need to subject yourself and your family to hypnosis in order to unlearn words,” he said. “And as for tequila and mezcal, starting next month, some bars can no longer serve … please only American beer and moonshine. “Those who you call illegals,
those who you call criminal aliens, might be the oldest inhabitants of the Americas. Are you aware of this?” Gómez-Peña travels the United States presenting his performance pieces to audiences at colleges, universities and art museums.
Poets have until April 17 to submit work for the Japan Festival’s fifth annual spring haiku contest. This contest is used as a way to celebrate a widely popular form of traditional Japanese poetry, as well as learn about Japanese culture, according to Jennifer Musaji, a lecturer in Japanese, in an email to The Sunflower. “We put priority on poems that demonstrate all of the traditional elements,” Musaji said in the email. “That does not mean a more modern take that blends old and new is discouraged. “We do strictly count the syllables, though.” Haikus can be submitted in English, Japanese or both on Padlet, the submission website. There is no limit on how many poems can be submitted, but one writer cannot win both first and second place. Winners will be announced on April 24 around 3:30 p.m., at the end of the Japan Festival, and posted on the submission site after. The winners’ haikus will be read aloud by the authors or the contest hosts. If the winners are not able to attend, they will be contacted after the festival. Certificates and ribbons are available for second and third place, with first receiving a roughly $20 value prize.
ARTS & CULTURE
8 | April 14, 2026
www.thesunflower.com
UPCOMING EVENTS CRAM CAFE
Tuesday, April 14
4 - 7 p.m. Rhatigan Student Center Come to a study hall session open to all students to relax and focus on your coursework in a quiet space. Free snacks and drinks will be provided.
WIND ENSEMBLE Tuesday, April 14
7:30 p.m. Duerksen Fine Arts Center Listen to a performance by the Wichita State University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Timothy Shade. Students can get free tickets in advance with their Shocker ID.
OUT-GREEKED Students from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and Alpha Phi sorority lift a student into the air at the end of their performance. The group placed second overall for their performance of “The Scrollies.” Photos by Zachary Ruth / The Sunflower
Students compete in 98th annual Hippodrome Skit Show
MUSEUM INTERN TAKEOVER Wednesday, April 15
10 a.m. Ulrich Museum of Arts Listen to the Ulrich Museum’s interns — Lily Arens, Zaylee Bell, Elizabeth Burchett, Serena Chau and Dontae Colemen — share their experiences working at the museum. The event will include refreshments.
PUBLISHING AND PRESENTING IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES Wednesday, April 15 3:30 - 5 p.m. Ahlberg Hall
Learn to improve your writing to present at conferences, publish in journals and submit to research competitions. The presentation is open to students at any level.
CIVIC CANVAS
Thursday, April 15
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Rhatigan Student Center Contribute to a collaborative artwork that prompts students to reflect on their role in the campus community. Students can draw or write their responses on the canvas.
THAI, LAO AND CAMBODIAN NEW YEAR Thursday, April 16
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Rhatigan Student Center
Jamie “Junior” Rivan cries over another student’s feigned death on stage for Sigma Phi Epsilon’s performance. The fraternity won first place overall and multiple awards for specific aspects of their performance.
Celebrate the Thai, Lao and Cambodian new year. The event highlights traditional activities and customs honoring renewal, good fortune and welcoming the new year.
A EVENING WITH MATPAT Thursday, April 16
7 p.m. Eugene Hughes Metropolitan Complex
Students from multiple Greek life organizations act as “X-Factor” judges in their skit for Hippodrome. Students acted as Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked, Simon Cowell, and Clavicular.
Students dance to music by Bad Bunny at the end of a performance by Beta Theta Pi, Gamma Phi Beta and Delta Gamma. The group’s performance was a satirical “X-Factor” style skit.
Listen to a presentation by YouTube creator Matthew “Matpat” Patrick from Game Theory about his career as a content creator. Student tickets at $10 and faculty are $18.
MID-AMERICA DANCE THEATER STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY SHOWCASE Thursday, April 16 - Friday, April 17 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Heskett Center
Watch a performance of new dance works choreographed and performed by students in the Heskett Center’s Litwin Studio. The show is presented by the School of Performing Arts.
SHOCK THE YARD STEP SHOW Saturday, April 18
6 - 9 p.m. Charles Koch Arena Watch the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s Shock the Yard Step Show, showcasing student creativity and culture from local and visiting step teams from across the Midwest.
OPEN STREETS ICT Sunday, April 19 Two students from the Tri Delta sorority and Delta Upsilon fraternity act on stage during their skit, “Huxley Hosts SNL.” Pearl (left) won the “best actress” award.
Students from the Delta Upsilon fraternity perform at Hippodrome at the Eugene Hughes Metropolitan Complex. Delta Upsilon and their partner sorority Tri Delta placed third overall.
12 - 4 P.M. Shocker Neighborhood on 17th Street Come connect with community members, local vendors and organizations on a closed off stretch of 17th Street between Oliver and Volustia. Visit The Sunflower’s table at Open Streets to meet Sunflower staff members and test your luck at the human slot machine!
HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED? CONTACT THE ARTS EDITOR: arts@thesunflower.com A student from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity dressed as Superman lays on stage with a hotdog in his hand after faking his death for a skit.
CONTACT THE NEWS EDITOR: news@thesunflower.com