For Alumni: How did you end up at Wichita State?

[bleed yellow]

I was a Criminal Justice major at Hutch CC in 2007.KU, KSU and WSU all came the same day to take applications KU and KSU just seemed like a very slow process. WSU on the other hand called me multiple times and me feel right at home and get this, I remember being impressed with the campus during my campus tour.. That was 2007 lol. I barely recognize the place these days in a good way

[WuDrWu]

The path to WSU for me was riddled with potholes, so just let me say I'm glad I finally made it.

[JVShocker]

WSU was the only choice. Born and raised in Wichita. Close to my home at the time (could walk or ride a bicycle to campus in 5-10 minutes), free room board and tuition (parents). We used to cut up paper into small confetti size pieces of paper and shower the frat kids below us at WSU basketball games every first basket made because they always seemed to get the best tickets to WSU games. When the low brass cheer was banned, we brought kazoos to games and did our best to do our own brass cheer. Met wifey in college in a dance class (actually). First date late January-engaged in early March-married in May (all of the same year). 30++ years now. Children went to WSU. I can't imagine having a better last 30+ years under any possible scenario in any universe or multiverse, real or imagined.

[Kung Wu]

I was a Criminal Justice major at Hutch CC in 2007.KU, KSU and WSU all came the same day to take applications KU and KSU just seemed like a very slow process. WSU on the other hand called me multiple times and me feel right at home and get this, I remember being impressed with the campus during my campus tour.. That was 2007 lol. I barely recognize the place these days in a good way

Yeah, I also remember being impressed with WSU's campus in the 90s. It was clean and modern by relative standards.

[ky-mike]

Hometown. Had a good job at Dillons (since Soph year in HS). Wanted to go to K-State for a Business degree. Dillons wouldn't guarantee a job in Manhattan. So, I stayed home living with my parents and went to WSU while working at Dillons until the spring of my Senior year (cheapest alternative). I turned out OK, I guess ;)

[shoxlax]

Lots of similar stories. Not a lot of choices OR unhappy with where you were at.

[shoxlax]

No. My plate was full and my pockets were empty. Once I did graduate in 1972 my 3 daughters came a long in 1973, 1975 and 1977. Concerts weren't exactly at the top of my to do list.

Understand. It was just really cool the amount of high level concerts they had at HLA since at the time they were the biggest venue in town and that era stars were playing on campus much more than they have since.

[shoxlax]

I didn't, actually. Tried Wichita State for a semester after I graduated high school early but burnt myself out and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to play basketball at Friends. Didn't go so well there either. College just wasn't for me. But my father (and grandfather) attended Wichita State, I grew up in Wichita and other than stints in LA and a few other cities have lived in Wichita all my life. Will forever be a Shocker fan no matter where I am or what institution I attend.

Technically aren’t you still an alum or no? Don’t think you have to be a graduate.

[WuDrWu]

I didn't, actually. Tried Wichita State for a semester after I graduated high school early but burnt myself out and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to play basketball at Friends. Didn't go so well there either. College just wasn't for me. But my father (and grandfather) attended Wichita State, I grew up in Wichita and other than stints in LA and a few other cities have lived in Wichita all my life. Will forever be a Shocker fan no matter where I am or what institution I attend.

A little scary how close this could have been to my journey.

[1972Shocker]

I didn't, actually. Tried Wichita State for a semester after I graduated high school early but burnt myself out and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to play basketball at Friends. Didn't go so well there either. College just wasn't for me. But my father (and grandfather) attended Wichita State, I grew up in Wichita and other than stints in LA and a few other cities have lived in Wichita all my life. Will forever be a Shocker fan no matter where I am or what institution I attend.

I didn't exactly knock it it out of the park my first 3 semesters at which point my future bride and I became engaged. Somehow my motivation seemed to get a huge boost at that point. Otherwise, a good chance I would not have stuck it out either.

[Onegreatracer]

Technically aren’t you still an alum or no? Don’t think you have to be a graduate.

I’m actually not sure how that works. Maybe?

[Onegreatracer]

I didn't exactly knock it it out of the park my first 3 semesters at which point my future bride and I became engaged. Somehow my motivation seemed to get a huge boost at that point. Otherwise, a good chance I would not have stuck it out either.

I do want to go back and get a degree from Wichita State at some point. It would have little to no bearing on my actual quality of life but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do for myself.

[1972Shocker]

I’m actually not sure how that works. Maybe?

You used to not have to been a graduate or even a have taken any classes at Wichita State to join the Alumni Association. My wife, a proud product of Vernon's School of Cosmetology, and I both joined as life members many years ago. But I am not sure if the even they issue memberships since the merged the Alumni Association in with the WSU Foundation. I think it is now called the Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement.

Established in 1913, the WSU Alumni Association coalesced around a dedicated group of alumni led by Harry Shuler for the purpose of creating a Shocker community of university supporters. In tandem, the WSU Foundation, which was founded in 1965, has championed private support to advance the mission and vision of the university. With a combined 168 years of experience, the two organizations united in 2022 to create a single alumni-and-donor serving organization optimizing support of Shocker Nation through combined philanthropy and alumni engagement efforts.

I see nothing on the current website that indicates any membership requirements.

The website states that the WSU Alumni Engagement team serves to connect more than 105,000 alumni, students and friends to Shocker Nation. Together, we are celebrating and elevating Wichita State University.

[1972Shocker]

The path to WSU for me was riddled with potholes, so just let me say I'm glad I finally made it.

So are we.

[BAShocker]

Two words:

Family Tradition.

Lets just say “deeply rooted”. And the tradition continued.