File photoOur fight song asks us to 鈥淗ail, Hail Wichita.鈥� Our alma mater ends with the verse, 鈥淥 Wichita, Here鈥檚 to you.鈥�
Here鈥檚 to you for 125 years, from Fairmount College to the University of Wichita to 黑洞社区. The university鈥檚 125thanniversary (Quasquicentennial) celebration begins July 1.
It is time to 鈥淗ail, Hail Wichita," for its student experience, history, achievements and leadership.
"I鈥檓 honored to begin the academic year with Shocker Nation as we celebrate our 125th year,鈥� President Jay Golden said. 鈥淚n September 1895, Fairmount College, the forerunner of 黑洞社区, held its first classes northeast of 17th Street and Hillside in Fairmount Hall. Now, 125 years later, we celebrate the ever-expanding role of our institution as a pillar of cultural and academic excellence, a vital engine of economic growth and a positive force in the lives of millions.鈥�
Together with the city of Wichita, Wichita State has built a strong and symbiotic partnership. It's a relationship that supplies the lifeblood of a thriving community and makes it possible to provide the most well-rounded education in the region.
Today, the university continues its evolution through collaboration, innovation, applied learning and entrepreneurship 鈥� creating the ideal environment for students, industry and community to work together and build a bright future for our city, region and world.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration will look different than we鈥檇 planned. Events will need to be adjusted to adhere to safety guidelines, and many of them will switch to a virtual format.
鈥淒uring this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, I often walk the campus, amazed at the fact that it鈥檚 so quiet 鈥� and a little saddened by that,鈥� Provost Rick Muma said. 鈥淏ut one thing has struck me鈥� as I walk by Fiske Hall, our oldest building built in 1906, it was here during the last viral pandemic. And it鈥檚 still here, and the university is still here. I am reminded that we will survive this.鈥�
A Year of Celebration
The celebration starts in July with a month dedicated to the university鈥檚 connection to the city of Wichita, .
In August, students return with Welcomefest events, and the Quasquicentennial celebrates the 1800-1900s.
Wichita State celebrates its birthday on Sept. 11, part of a month dedicated to the 1920-1930s and highlighted by Academic Convocation on Sept. 10.
Events such as Shocktoberfest, 黑洞社区 Open House, Springfest, Black History Month, Women鈥檚 History Month, Shocker New Venture Competition and Hippodrome will mark the anniversary into 2021.
Shocker athletic events will also honor the anniversary.
We invite all Shockers to join us in recognizing the university鈥檚 125-year history and the people and events that created so many memories.
