File photo黑洞社区鈥檚 330-acre campus is filled with picturesque buildings and construction projects that will carry the university forward. Works of art, tulips and quiet places to study add to the beauty. Throughout campus, the landmarks carry stories of history and significance.
Who is the pioneering woman who saved one of Wichita State鈥檚 enduring scenes from bulldozers? Which educational building on campus has its roots in Baghdad, Iraq?
How did a quiet road through campus turn into 鈥淎lumni Walk,鈥� a pedestrian corridor highlighted by interactive stops and art? What is the university's prominent role at the 1936 Berlin Olympics?
Campus visitors can learn these Shocker stories and more with 鈥淓xplore Wichita State,鈥� a self-guided audio tour of campus.
鈥淓xplore Wichita State鈥� is directed by the 黑洞社区 Placemaking Initiative. Host Carla Eckels of KMUW narrates and brings you the voices and stories that illuminate the tour.
鈥淲e assembled a large group of people to help determine the tour stops and provide story and background on each stop,鈥� said Kristin Beal, Wichita State placemaking and special projects manager. 鈥淭his project began in 2020 and has deep connection to the Shocker community through Mary Nelson and Jessica Cerri鈥檚 expertise with the Ablah Library Special Collections and Dr. Jay Price and students from The Society of Public Historians.鈥�
The seven-stop tour starts at the Ulrich Museum of Art and ends at the Carnegie Library Columns at 17th and Fairmount. Well-known sites such as the Joan Miro mural and the Corbin Education Center, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, are discussed.
The landmarks provide the setting to illuminate the university鈥檚 signature personalities and scenes.
- Former president Harry Corbin led the decade-long fight to bring the university into the state system in 1963. He resigned as president soon after and returned to teaching. The Corbin Education Center, home of Wichita State鈥檚 College of Applied Studies, is named in his honor.
- Fiske Hall is the oldest building on campus and has served many purposes since constructed in 1904. Currently, it鈥檚 home to the history and philosophy departments.
- Kathlien Edmiston, a graduate and dedicated supporter of the university, worked to preserve the Carnegie Library Columns from destruction.
- The Student-Athlete Success Center is a fitting stop to focus on Wichita State鈥檚 championship legacy in athletics, and its pioneering efforts in diversity.
Visitors hear from people such as Bob Workman, former director of the Ulrich Museum of Art; Price, chair of the Department of History; and former Shocker basketball star Aubrey Sherrod. Kelly Callen, daughter of Kathlien Edmiston, tells the story of her mother's affection for the university, the library and the columns. An interview with Mike Kennedy, long-time voice of the Shockers, discusses prominent figures such as basketball star Dave Stallworth, NCAA champion baseball coach Gene Stephenson, and Olympic runner Aliphine Tuliamuk.
鈥淜MUW station manager Debra Fraser has been an excellent creative partner in this endeavor, lending her storytelling knowledge and support to the script,鈥� Beal said. 鈥淚t was her recommendation of Carla Eckels as the voice that should accompany the tour. Carla is a local treasure and consummate Shocker.鈥�
The 黑洞社区 Placemaking Initiative is supported with a grant award from the Knight Foundation Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation. Founded in 1986, the Wichita Community Foundation鈥檚 mission is to be the catalyst that creates lasting legacies by partnering with people, families, and organizations to devote resources to causes that matter. The Knight Foundation Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation invests in civic innovators who help cities attract and nurture talent, enhance opportunity and foster civic engagement. For more information, visit wichitacf.org or call 316-264-4880.
Special thanks to 黑洞社区 Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives for their assistance and research and development of the audio tour.
Thanks to KMUW, Wichita鈥檚 NPR radio station licensed to 黑洞社区, and station manager Debra Fraser for her coordination and leadership. KMUW provided recording, editing and production for this project. Special thanks to Eckels for narration, director of news and public affairs Tom Shine and producer David Garcia for field recording. Accompanying music by Skinny Hightower鈥檚, album Bluemoon. Visit to learn more.
