Softball loses 19-16 barnburner against No. 2 Oklahoma
BY JACOB UNRUH sports@thesunflower.com
The most fans to ever attend Wilkins Stadium in its history were treated to what may be the craziest game the stadium has ever seen on Wednesday night. Wichita State battled No. 2 University of Oklahoma to the very end, losing a barnburner, 19-16. 19-16. You read that right. The 35 total runs scored in the game are the most in program history, topping an 18-16 win against Iowa State University in 2014. The 19 runs allowed are the second-most in team history, behind a 24-7 loss to Oklahoma in 2021. Wilkins Stadium was sold out with 1,245 fans, a record-breaking attendance.
Despite the loss, WSU head coach Kristi Bredbenner was ecstatic to put one of the best teams in the county on upset
alert.
“To me, it’s a victory because we played as a team,” Bredbenner said. “We hadn’t played like that, in my opinion, all year. I felt like we were for each other.”
Oklahoma, the fourtime defending NCAA champions, beat the Shockers for the 44th time in a row and improved to 30-1 on the season. WSU dropped to 16-16. In the third inning, the Shockers found themselves behind, 14-3, to the Sooners. But the team showed zero quit in coming nearly all the way back. In a unique image, both sets of fans gave their teams a standing ovation at the game’s end. While walking out of the stadium, many fans were heard talking about what an incredible game they just watched.
“I mean, we’re not supposed to beat them, right?” Bredbenner said. “And, you know, on paper,
BY MALEAH EVANS arts@thesunflower.com
Daniel Baird is one of just 30 people in Wichita who plays the handpan. Equipped with the unique instrument, Baird travels around Kansas to various health care facilities to play for the patients there.
“I was already playing for memory care residents, but I was just playing my own songs and reading how familiar music impacts them,” Baird said. “(That) kind of inspired me to start learning familiar songs, and now I’ve learned over 100 cover songs for residents.”
Growing up, Baird played the saxophone and guitar. Then he wanted to try the harp, but he heard the handpan when listening to Shpongle in 2009 and became fascinated by the instrument.
“I was like, ‘What is that sound?’ It sounds like a harp but they were doing percussive knocking sounds,” Baird said. “It just really drew me to it.”
The handpan is one of the newest instruments to be created. It originated in 2000 in Switzerland.
Baird was able to get his own handpan in 2017, and it has since become his greatest passion.
Baird attended Wichita State
they should beat us every time. And, you know, we went out there and competed our asses off today.”
Wichita State hadn’t scored more than one run in a game against Oklahoma since 2021. The Shockers scored a run in every inning except the seventh and final one.
Playing with no expectations in a game they weren’t favored to win, Wichita State’s batters swung freely all night.
“If we lose, well, we were supposed to, and if we win, that would be awesome,” graduate student Lauren Lucas said. “So go up there, take your hacks, and what’s the worst that could happen? And that’s kind of what we saw today.”
With the wind pushing to the outfield, the Shockers crushed five home runs, their most in a game since the season-opener. In the first inning,
I’ll play those songs, and they’ll (the health care patients) talk to me about how they feel like they were outside for a little bit. This is kind of what drew me to the handpan to begin with, it kind of transports the mind.”
DANIEL BAIRD Handpan artist
and got a degree in psychology. While at WSU, he took some music classes for elective spaces. It was in one of these music classes that Baird read research articles about the benefits music had on people in memory care.
“I’ll play those songs, and they’ll (the health care patients) talk to me about how they feel like they were outside for a little bit,” Baird said. “This is kind of what drew me to the handpan to begin with, it kind of transports the mind.”
Among Baird’s cover songs are “Yellow Submarine,” “Shake it Off,” “Yankee Doodle” and several Christmas songs. Baird also had nearly two hours of original songs that he is working on compiling into an album.
graduate student Ellee Eck smashed a ball into the video board in center field. Later in the frame, junior Taylor Sedlacek hit another home run.
After the team manufactured a run in the second, senior Camryn Compton hit her fourth home run in the past three games.
When junior Sami Hood hit a three-run bomb later in the inning, WSU cut the Oklahoma lead to five runs, 14-9.
Oklahoma scored five in the fifth to push its lead to 19-12. But yet again, the Shockers didn’t quit. With two outs, Sedlacek smacked her second home run of the day, a three-RBI shot to dead center field to push the deficit back to four runs.
Wichita State’s players had never played in a high-scoring game like this one.
“I actually joked in the middle of it that we brought the Wichita State
football team back,” Lucas said.
The Shockers were given a chance to walk off the game in the seventh. However, Wichita State went down quietly in its half of the inning for the first time all game.
The Shockers will return to conference play over the weekend, playing the University of South Florida in a three-game series. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, March 28, in Wilkins Stadium.
Lucas acknowledged that she’s seen chatter on social media that this season has been “underwhelming” so far.
“For us to put on that kind of a show in front of Wichita proves that, you know, the season’s not over,” Lucas said. “And don’t give up on us, and we’re not going anywhere, and we’re still going to compete and be a team worth spending your money on.”
Baird is looking to expand his performances to Guthrie, Oklahoma, since his handpan was made there. He makes regular trips to have it tuned there when necessary.
“It’s just a short drive down to Guthrie, and then Edmond, (Oklahoma), is right there and there’s a lot of health care communities around that area,” Baird said.
Wichita State complies with federal anti-DEI initiatives
BY AINSLEY SMYTH news@thesunflower.com
Wichita State’s provost released a statement on Wednesday via the university’s faculty and staff newsletter saying that WSU is making several changes to comply with federal challenges to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall released her own statement via the student newsletter, referencing the provost’s statement and saying that students can reach out with questions.
“As a result of the recent orders and actions, DEI efforts within the higher education landscape continue to evolve,” provost Monica Lounsbery wrote in the statement. “At Wichita State, and in alignment with other Kansas Board of Regents institutions, we are conducting a systematic review of our policies, procedures and programs to ensure compliance with changing federal and state requirements.”
The provost pointed to a few changes that WSU has made, including reviewing the university’s strategic plan, specifically the Inclusive Excellence Plan.
The provost’s statement was published after The Sunflower reached out to WSU Strategic Communications requesting information regarding changes to the university’s Inclusive Excellence Plan page.
The Inclusive Excellence Plan outlines goals for creating an inclusive campus.
Recently, the plan was removed from its previous page on the university’s website and replaced with statistics from its 2024 report. The page has also been updated with a disclaimer saying, “This content is being reviewed in light of recent changes to state and federal laws, orders, and guidance.”
In her statement, Lounsbery acknowledged these changes, saying, “Changes to the WSU website, programs, initiatives and events as the university works to ensure continued compliance. You may notice disclaimer language on some web pages currently under review.”
Lounsbery also acknowledged the impact of federal cuts on research funding. In a February town hall for faculty and staff, university President Richard Muma shared that two grants were stopped as a result of federal funding cuts.
“While the effects of changes in our federal and state government may not be immediate for everyone, it is likely that at some point, these shifts will touch each of us in different ways,” Lounsbery wrote in her statement. “As the need to respond to changes occurs, we will continue to make every effort to communicate, because that is an important part of our process.
“... Lastly, though our campus must comply with state and federal requirements, we are and will remain firmly committed to the ability of all members of our campus community to thrive and succeed.”
He also gives classes and lessons to those who might be interested in the handpan.
The next class is on April 12 on campus.
“They’re really hard to find at music stores, and it’s a pretty big investment, so I want to give people a chance to try them out and decide if they really connect with it enough to make the purchase,” Baird said.
Hall encouraged students with questions or concerns to attend an upcoming Student Government virtual town hall with university administration, which will be held via the Student Government Association’s YouTube channel. Students can submit questions before or during the town hall to sga.president@wichita.edu.
The Student Affairs office is located in the Rhatigan Student Center, room 210A. The office can also be reached by phone at 316-978-3021 or email at vpStudentAffairs@wichita.edu.
Daniel Baird shows off his handpan before performing for the patients of Homestead of Wichita. Baird played songs like “Home on the Range,” “You Are my Sunshine” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” | Photo by Maleah Evans / The Sunflower
WSU lost
| Photos by Aubri Baker / The Sunflower
Fans in Wilkins Stadium celebrate WSU’s first home run during the game against No. 2 Oklahoma. The game set a new attendance record at 1,245.
Camryn Compton is forced out at second base to end the game on March 26. Wichita State went scoreless in the seventh to end the upset bid.
Ablah faces unknown timeline for restoration following flood
BY AINSLEY SMYTH news@thesunflower.com
Brent Mai, Wichita State’s Dean of University Libraries, said that when Ablah Library flooded the Sunday before spring break, the water rose to 4 inches across the 50,000 square foot lower floor. Most of the shelves are 5 inches, meaning that the water was just an inch away from damaging the library’s collections.
Ablah’s special collections are among the materials housed on the lower level. Mai said the special collections are “irreplaceable.”
“Everything from rare books … historical documents, university archives as well, collections from, let’s say, important people, places, businesses and that sort of thing for the Wichita area — Kansas in general — but really focused on the Wichita area,” Mai said. “We have a huge collection of aviation history, as you might imagine, for being the aviation capital of the world … blueprints of airplanes from generations ago and things like that.”
Mai said that losing any of the special collections’ content would have been “the worst.”
“We’re lucky that the building, evidently, has a slight pitch down there to the east (away from the special collections section),” Mai said.
If I had come in, I would have gone straight into my office and never would have even noticed. I mean, it’s just lucky that’s who it was because her office is around the corner, so she walked by.” “
WHAT HAPPENED
According to Mai, Ginger Baker, a metadata specialist for the library, came in to work on March 16 to find water coming out of a bathroom on the main level and pouring down the elevator shaft to the lower floor.
“If I had come in, I would have gone straight into my office and never would have even noticed,” Mai said. “I mean, it’s just lucky that’s who it was because her office is around the corner.”
Baker called Mai and campus police.
Mai said he was there in minutes.
“So when I came in, the first thing I did was (I) saw the water was mostly in the women’s restroom here. Then I ran upstairs to the second and third floors to see whether this (the water) was something that was coming down,”
Mai said. “But no, it was starting here. And then … was the first time I went downstairs.”
Mai said library staff used bound journals — which the library was going to “throw away anyway” as their contents had already been digitized — to block water from entering the special collections section, as facilities maintenance staff turned the building’s water off. When the water continued to rise, they decided to open the doors on the lower floor.
They stopped the rising water without damage to the special collections or to the other materials housed on the floor. They have been moved to storage off campus.
According to the university’s student newsletter, call numbers A-Z, which cover topics including medicine, engineering and technology are part of this. Students who need to access these materials can use the library’s interlibrary loan service.
RESTORATION
Most of the carpeting has been removed from the lower level as of Monday, March 24, and Mai said some of the shelving may need to be replaced as well. Meanwhile, dehumidifiers are being used to remove any remaining moisture.
The goal is to avoid mold growth, which Mai said would be “the library’s worst nightmare.”
“It’s not fun. Not one of the things that I wanted to happen in my career,” Mai, who began working at WSU in 2023, said.
The lower floor remains closed to the public and the timeline for restoration is still unknown, Mai said.
Baker did not respond to call or email attempts. Executive Director of Facilities Services Eason Bryer referred The Sunflower to call the physical plant, which directed The Sunflower to email Executive Director of Facilities Planning Emily Patterson, who did not respond.
What investigators have released so far about the crash of Flight 5342
BY AINSLEY SMYTH news@thesunflower.com
The country was in shock following the deadly crash that killed 67 people in January when a plane that had departed from Wichita collided with an Army helicopter as it prepared to land in Washington, D.C.
The three Army personnel, four plane crew members and 60 passengers all died in the collision, making it America’s deadliest plane crash in over two decades.
The flight included young figure skaters, their parents and coaches who had been attending a National Development Camp following the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.
The victims also included several people from Kansas including one Wichita State alumna and Washington D.C.based civil rights lawyer, Kiah Duggins.
Following the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board began an investigation to determine its cause. On March 11, 30 days after the crash, the NTSB released its preliminary report.
THE PRELIMINARY REPORT
The NTSB report summarized what happened the night of the crash.
It said the Army helicopter originated from Davison Army Airfield in Virginia “for the purpose of the pilot’s annual standardization evaluation with the use of night vision goggles.”
According to the report, weather conditions in the area were suitable for the goggles to be used.
Both aircraft’s flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders were recovered from the Potomac River by FBI divers and their data was downloaded.
The NTSB used information from the FDR, CVR, radar data and communications to determine the history of the flights leading up to the crash. It also obtained video from several sources showing the collision.
According to the report, all the external lights on both aircraft appeared to be operating.
In the moments leading up to the crash, two different instructions from the control tower were likely not heard by the helicopter crew, the report said.
The control tower was operating with five staff, which the FAA has said is “not normal” and low for the amount of traffic at the time, according to a report obtained by the Associated Press.
TIMELINE
At about 8:15 p.m., Flight 5342 began its initial descent. About 15 minutes later, the helicopter began flying south, toward the D.C. airport.
A few minutes later, the helicopter checked in with the control tower and then requested a specific flight path, which the control tower approved. The helicopter then followed that path, flying over the Potomac
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River.
Around 8:39 p.m., Flight 5342 was cleared to begin its descent. It did so, making contact with the control tower a few minutes later.
At 8:45 p.m., the helicopter was told to descend by 100 feet, to which the crew responded that they would. One minute later, the control tower said that Flight 5342 was circling its runway.
According to the report, however, the helicopter crew might not have heard this.
“The word ‘circling’ is heard in ATC communications as well as the airplane’s CVR, but not on the helicopter’s CVR,” the report said.
A few seconds after the direction was given, the helicopter requested to “maintain visual separation,” meaning that the control tower used visual observation, not radar, to ensure the aircraft kept its distance. Visual separation is typically applied when other approved separation, such as through the use of radar, is assured.
At around 8:47, about 20 seconds before the aircraft collided, the control tower asked the helicopter if it saw the plane. This was audible on both CVRs, according to the report. The plane also received an automated alert about the close traffic.
Seventeen seconds before the collision, the control tower instructed the helicopter to pass behind the plane.
The report said, “CVR data from the helicopter indicated that the portion of the transmission that stated ‘pass behind the’ may not have been received by the PAT25 crew, as the transmission was stepped on by a 0.8-second mic key from PAT25 (helicopter).”
Audio from the helicopter indicated the crew believed they had been instructed to move to the left.
Seven seconds before impact, Flight 5342 started its final descent. One second before impact, the plane “increase(d) its pitch,” or pointed upward.
The report stated that while the control tower was clearing another plane to land, “audible reactions could be heard from the other tower controllers as they observed the collision.”
Dean of University Libraries Brent Mai said in an email that the water reached 4 inches. | Photo courtesy of Brent Mai
BRENT MAI Dean of University Libraries
Carpet in Ablah Library is soaked with water following a bathroom leak.
| Photo courtesy of Brent Mai
The lower level of Ablah library after most of the carpet was removed due to flooding. | Photo by Ainsley Smyth / The Sunflower
Men’s basketball’s Quincy Ballard, Yanis Bamba enter transfer portal
BY OWEN PROTHRO & JACOB UNRUH
owenprothro@gmail.com & sports@thesunflower.com
Wichita State men’s basketball senior center Quincy Ballard, who received an extra year of eligibility earlier this month, entered the transfer portal on Tuesday according to a post on X. Later on Tuesday, redshirt freshman guard Yanis Bamba entered the portal, according to a post by Verbal Commits on X.
According to the post, Ballard’s agents broke the news to ESPN.
The 6-foot-11 center spent the previous three seasons with the Shockers, averaging 7.8 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game.
His 152 blocks rank second alltime in program history.
Ballard had his best year for WSU in 2024-25, averaging 10 points per game and 9.2 rebounds to go along with a single-season program record in field goal percentage at 75.1% from the floor. Ballard also holds the program’s career record in field goal percentage at 72.8% in his three seasons as a Shocker.
An article by The Wichita Eagle said, “Ballard will likely be courted by high-major teams this time around in the transfer portal,” after he transferred from Florida State University before the 2022-23 season began.
Bamba, who hails from Laval, Quebec, Canada, finished his second year with the team. After redshirting for 2023-24, Bamba played a total of 13 minutes over four games this year. He scored two career points in a Shocker uniform.
Ballard and Bamba are the first WSU men’s basketball players to enter the transfer portal this offseason. WSU has seven scholarship spots to fill next year. The transfer portal closes on Tuesday, April 22.
How women’s bowling pulled off improbable comeback to win conference tournament
BY JACOB UNRUH sports@thesunflower.com
Aleesha Oden stepped up to bowl the 10th and final frame of the final game of the Wichita State women’s bowling championship match tiebreaker against Jacksonville State University.
Bowl two straight strikes, and the Shockers would compete in another tiebreak match for the Conference USA Championship. Anything less, and a threeday journey that included seven matches would end in disappointment.
But Oden, a sophomore, didn’t know that. She had a history of getting anxious in key moments and told her teammates not to alert her if the score was close.
Additionally, Oden suffered a wrist injury the month before that had prevented her from holding the ball, let alone practicing. She battled through lingering pain the entire tournament.
Oden stepped up and delivered consecutive strikes to keep Wichita State alive.
“We got to celebrate a little bit,” Oden said. “But we just knew, after, like, a little moment of super fun and hype and crazy vibes, we kind of just got back.”
Another best-of-seven series went to another climactic seventh game, but Wichita State pulled through on Sunday to become Conference USA champions in its first season of NCAA eligibility.
‘OUR
HOUSE’
The Shockers battled through adversity to become the victors.
Wichita State lost its first game of the tournament against Arkansas
State University, dropping to the single-elimination contender’s bracket.
WSU needed to win seven consecutive matches, five of which came against teams ranked in the top-10 nationally, to be conference champions.
However, the team didn’t view the path that way, instead choosing to take it one game at a time.
“We always focused on just what was the next thing,” WSU head coach Holly Harris said. “We tried to really … stay present.”
After the Arkansas State loss, Harris told the team to stay in their imaginary house. No one could enter or leave, and the team could focus on bowling their best and not on anything else.
Harris emphasized the importance of fun and relaxation during tournaments as a way to mitigate stress. Whenever players weren’t throwing shots, they were dancing, singing, doing personalized handshakes and expanding on the house metaphor.
“We were talking about building our own house and staying in our house,” Oden said.
SPECIAL MOMENT
After the final frame of the match, the team respectfully went through the handshake line. Then, the party was on.
“Just the excitement all came out,” graduate student Mary Orf said. “We were all jumping and screaming, hugging.”
Harris proudly stood to the side and watched. The team had felt pressure the whole year to perform well in their first year of NCAA competition.
“For them to come through with all the other distractions was just so stinking special,” Harris said. “I mean, I was elated. I had tears in my eyes, you know, kind of a lot of fatigue. I was exhausted, and it was a mix of both, like, ‘I’m so glad this is over, and I’m so glad we get to celebrate.’”
After the tournament, the impact began to set in. Orf said rewatching the tournament on ESPN+ on Monday was more stressful than actually competing.
“Like, in the moment, I didn’t really realize, like, how many little things came into play from both sides,” Orf said.
NCAA PREVIEW
The Shockers were picked as a No. 1 seed in the Lansing Regional of the NCAA Tournament and will play Division II school Felician University in the first round in Michigan.
Harris was “thrilled” to get into a conference as strong as Conference USA — let alone win it in the first year.
“I mean, there wasn’t really an expectation or anything like that,” Harris said. “We were just going in there to learn. So it kind of feels like gravy that we won.”
Harris said the team will continue taking it game by game.
“We’ve only got a few weeks left, and then this team will never be together again because it’s going to change a little bit,” Harris said. “So really, just trying to soak up as much fun as we can with each other and enjoy how special this team really is.”
The Shockers will begin their NCAA Tournament run on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5.
LOSS No. 5 Arkansas State 2(4) - 1(3)
WIN No. 10 Valparaiso 2 - 0
WIN No. 9 Tulane 2(4) - 1(1)
WIN No. 3 Vanderbilt 2(4) - 1(1)
WIN No. 5 Arkansas State 2 - 0
WIN No. 7 Sam Houston 2(4) - 1(3)
WIN No. 1 Jacksonville State 2(4) - 1(3)
WIN No. 1 Jacksonville State 4 - 3
Quincy Ballard loses possession of the ball in the second half against Oklahoma State. | Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower
Wichita State women’s bowling celebrates after winning the Conference USA Championship. | Photo courtesy of Bryan Chavez / Wichita State Athletics
THE PETALS BLOOM
The band, formed by WSU graduate students, played at Kirby’s on Saturday.
Wichita State’s talent returns to the stage for a second year
BY TIYAN SAMUEL tiyan.kawya@gmail.com
Wichita State’s Shockers Got Talent returns on March 28 for its second year. With expectations for a higher turnout following last year’s success, this year’s organizers look forward to an eventful night.
According to the chairperson of the Traditions Committee of the Students Activities Council, Zach Najera, this year shows a 50% increase in applicants compared to last year. The event promises an exceptional night for both performers and audience, including engaging activities for the attendees. The emcee will guide the event, keeping the energy high and the audience engaged between performances with lively interactions and entertainment.
Scheduled to showcase a diverse array of talent, the show features singers, dancers and instrumentalists. This year’s event also includes an increased number of original performances, with musical acts filling up the majority of the spots. A highlight
of the show, Najera said, would be a dance performance by the campus-wide known dance group KVersity. Out of 33 auditioning acts, only 12 have secured the spot for the final show.
“There’s a lot that goes into planning a talent show,” Najera said as he emphasized the time and effort it took to put together the minor details that come together to create the show.
People behind this year’s show hope to elevate the experience for both performers and the audience. Najera, a former performer at Shockers Got Talent, described the event as a “campus-wide event that extends to the Wichita community.”
Beyond the thrill of performing and earning bragging rights, the winning act will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The second-place winner will be awarded an $800 prize and the third-place performer will receive $500. Meanwhile, every other performer gets the chance to showcase their talent, gain exposure and leave a lasting impression on the WSU community.
‘The Consul’ reflects political climate in timely, operatic
fashion
The WSU production discusses themes of immigration and consulate paperwork in a totalitarian regime.
BY MALEAH EVANS arts@thesunflower.com
Alan Held, the director of Opera Studies at Wichita State, with the Wichita State Opera Theatre, will put on a production of “The Consul” next month.
Held said the piece is incredibly thematic, especially with the current political climate and issues surrounding immigration and documentation.
“It’s great timing to be doing this,” Held said. “I really don’t understand why more companies aren’t doing this piece more often because it’s a masterpiece.”
“(The U.S.) is not the country granting asylum, it’s the country that people may have to leave because of the way (the) political situation is.”
LOGAN TARWATER Graduate student, opera performance “
The opera, written by Gian Carlo Menotti, follows Magda Sorel in an unidentified totalitarian country in the 1950s and her refugee husband who is trying to get the paperwork to legally stay in the country. Most of the show surrounds the consulate and other characters who are trying to get visas and working papers, and the bureaucracy that comes with that process.
Logan Tarwater, a graduate student studying opera who plays the main male role, said that to prepare for his role he’s been reading the current news related to immigration issues.
“It’s interesting that in the context of the ‘50s, when the show originally premiered, essentially the wife is trying to get asylum in another country and for audiences in the ‘50s, they would have probably associated the U.S. with granting asylum and now the situation seems to be more on the other side,” Tarwater said. “(The
U.S.) is not the country granting asylum, it’s the country that people may have to leave because of the way (the) political situation is.”
Held said he tries to do socially relevant pieces with the Wichita State Opera Theatre that are easier for students to understand and digest. He said that he thinks that “The Consul” is one of the more recent pieces that students have been the most enthused about since it’s relatable.
“They (the students) know (of) people or situations, and it all just comes together,” Held said.
Held compared opera to musical theater, especially since a majority of the operas performed at WSU are easy to understand.
“This is in English, like I said, this is the original music theater,” Held said. “A lot of the music that Menotti wrote will sound like it came out of the New York stage, and sometimes people don’t take (him) seriously because they think his music is too theater.”
Jack Anderson and Emmalie Myers jam out at Kirby’s on Saturday evening. The Petals were joined by three other bands that night: The Stroppers, Bad Self Portraits, and Jesus Christ Taxi Driver. The Petals were the only local band that night. | Photos by Peyton Eck / The Sunflower
Emmalie Myers blows gum while playing bass at Kirby’s on Saturday evening. The wall behind the band is decorated in a collage of band posters and show notices clamoring for space.
Jack Anderson, who plays drum, guitar and bass for The Petals, sings at Kirby’s. Anderson, alongside Kyle Hall, another member of The Petals, is a graduate student at WSU.
An ‘easy pet’ does not exist
Piper Pinnetti opinion@thesunflower.com OPINION
Many people think there are “easy” pets — low-maintenance companions that require minimal effort or expense. But no matter what type of pet you choose, each comes with its own set of responsibilities, costs and challenges. The idea of a low-effort pet is a myth and an excuse to do the least amount possible for their prisoner.
Anyone considering bringing an animal into their home should be fully prepared for what that commitment entails.
CATS
Take cats, for instance. They are often labeled as independent, requiring little more than food, a litter box and a ton of random toys. In reality, cat ownership is far more involved. Litter boxes need frequent cleaning and full replacements of litter. For every cat, there also must be a litter box. In other words, the ratio between cats and litter boxes must be the same. Finding the right toys, scratchers and beds can be an expensive and timely process. A cat always needs a cat tree for climbing, scratching and to have their own personal space. At the very least, they need to have a vertical space that meets these needs and is taller than you. If there is no space for a cat tree, or no money in the wallet for a cat tree, then there should not be a cat.
Some cats prefer the cardboard scratchers and some love the scratchers that come with their cat tree. My cat enjoys the wood around the house and the couches. She also doesn’t enjoy any of the toys scattered on the floor except for a pack of Peeps toys that are saturated with catnip and anything that includes feathers. She also prefers my lap instead of the cute, pink bed I bought her.
On top of this, cats are prone to boredom. Because they are labeled independent, they are not often provided attention and time to play or the stimulating activities they need.
A dorm does not have the space for them to get the zoomies and has little room for their supplies let alone students’. A cat also needs a window to peer through. I have never met a cat that doesn’t enjoy the fresh air, the sound of the birds and watching outside in general.
DOGS
Dogs present their own challenges. They require daily exercise, bathroom breaks — regardless of rain, snow or extreme heat, which Wichita is known to have. Additionally, they need a lot of attention. Like cats, dogs can be picky eaters, forcing owners to experiment with different foods.
Some, like my dad’s dog, Knox, even have severe allergies that require special prescription diets, which can be prohibitively expensive after also having to spend lots of money at the vet to figure this out.
Like any animal in general, they can be a constant financial burden especially when it comes to vet appointments. My dad has to meal prep plain rice and chicken for the dog for about a week every time he has an upset stomach. There is a similar process for finding the toys and activities dogs enjoy as there is for cats. Some dogs like toys that squeak and others just like anything that is like a stuffed animal.
FISH
Then, there are fish — the classic college dorm pet. Every floor in Shocker Hall has at least one dorm fish. They have even been labeled a “canon event.”
Unfortunately, the fish found in dorm rooms often die within months, largely due to inadequate care. A simple bowl is not a suitable environment, and housing a fish in a confined space with plastic decorations and dyed pebbles is cruel.
There should be real plants and water should have some movement. Fish need a temperature controlled environment. Betas, a popular and well known house fish, require heated water.
The water also needs to be replaced somewhat often, especially if there are no algaeeating animals in the tank. While the entire tank doesn’t need to be emptied, a large portion can be emptied with a tube, your mouth and gravity. As long as you act quick enough, gravity will take over in pulling the water through the tube and you can control how much water you replace from the tank.
This helps with bacteria, ammonia levels and other issues from stagnant water. If you don’t know anything about ammonia, which can rapidly kill your animals, then it is not time to get a fish — or anything that lives in water.
Some fish are social, while some will fight to the death if housed together. Without proper knowledge and preparation, fishkeeping can quickly become overwhelming and expensive.
HERMIT CRABS
Even smaller creatures, often assumed to be effortless, come with their own difficulties and complications. While I love my hermit crabs, they require a specific set of care and schedules. Hermit crabs are a fun and unique option, but they are costly.
The habitat alone has a lot on the requirements list. They need enough heat pads to keep the enclosure to a certain temperature.
If it is too cold, they will die. They additionally need two types of water, each needing a different bottle of solution. One is for drinking and the other is salty for wandering around in.
Without the proper substrate, such as coconut fiber and sand, they cannot borrow — as an essential stage in their cycle. Without a safe space to burrow, a hermit crab cannot live through the process.
They are also social creatures, meaning one is never enough, and they need new shells to accommodate growth and comfort. The crab to shell ratio is not even, there must be more shells than crabs. If they are without a shell, they are vulnerable, and another crab will attack them.
Shells are their transportable home. Some pet shops offer painted shells, which can be cute, but are ultimately not safe for the crustaceans and will lead to toxic chemicals killing them.
Despite their small size, hermit crabs require as much attention to detail as any other pet.
Every pet, regardless of size or species, comes with responsibilities. There is no such thing as an “easy pet.”
Owning an animal means providing the proper environment, diet, medical care and enrichment it needs to thrive.
Before bringing home a pet — whether it’s a cat, dog, hermit crab or fish — it’s crucial to understand the full extent of that commitment. Otherwise, the reality of pet ownership may become an unpleasant surprise.
Director of WSU’s ‘Spring Awakening’ responds to The Sunflower review
I am writing in response to the recent studentwritten review of “Spring Awakening,” particularly its focus on the performance of one actor—Solomon Puckett—in his portrayal of Melchior Gabor.
I want to acknowledge the value of student arts criticism and the importance of cultivating community dialogue around our campus productions. However, when a review distills its analysis to a critique of a single performer, it risks reducing the complexity of theatrical storytelling and diminishing the collaborative nature of the art form.
This letter is informed by a post-mortem discussion with the cast of “Spring Awakening,” where we reflected on the impact of The Sunflower’s review and discussed ways to encourage more nuanced criticism of the arts on campus.
During that conversation, we noted how the presentation of reviews on social media can alter their impact. A headline or excerpted quote posted online may frame the piece in
a way that amplifies its most critical elements, potentially overshadowing the more nuanced discussion within the full article.
This is an issue not just for theater coverage but for journalism as a whole, and it’s worth considering how The Sunflower can balance engagement with responsible representation across all its platforms.
Additionally, we discussed how the scope of a theater review could extend beyond individual performances to encompass the broader elements of a production—lighting, costumes, set design and choreography— all of which contribute to the audience’s experience. While a writer may naturally gravitate toward the most visible aspects of a show, an expanded perspective could offer a richer and more constructive analysis. We also recognize the challenge of drawing readership to arts coverage. Critical writing often generates more attention than celebratory writing, but this dynamic is worth examining, especially within a university setting.
A student production operates under different circumstances
than a professional one; while professional theater expects rigorous critique, student productions are also spaces of learning and growth.
Perhaps the role of student reviews could be framed as fostering artistic conversation rather than strictly evaluating work against professional standards.
Moving forward, I would love to explore ways to strengthen communication between The Sunflower and the School of Performing Arts to ensure our productions are covered in a thoughtful and informed manner. We want to make sure the paper is aware of our upcoming events so that previews, reviews and other arts coverage can be as meaningful and effective as possible.
I appreciate the time and effort the student journalists put into covering the arts on campus, and we look forward to continued conversations about how we can support a vibrant and insightful discourse around the performing arts at Wichita State.
Illustration by Savanna Nichols / The Sunflower
FLOWER POWER
‘Everyone and anyone deserves flowers’: Bouquet-making event aims to foster community for Women’s History Month
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
CAREER FAIR
TUESDAY, APRIL 1
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom
Accelerate your career in the health care indsustry at this event hosted by the Shocker Career Accelerator. Meet with employers to learn more about job opportunities in the Wichita area and beyond. Register for the event at shorturl.at/trTVt or contact Lori Godderz at Lori. Godderz@wichita.edu for more information.
LIBRARY RESEARCH
AWARD INFO SESSION
TUESDAY, APRIL 1 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Ablah Library, Room 225 Earn $1,000 for your research or creative projects through Ablah Library. Even if you’re project is not finished by the application deadline, you’re still elligble. This event will guide you through the simple application process and answer any questions you have. Another session will take place on April 8 from noon to 12:45 p.m. Email lib.award@ wichita.edu with any questions or concerns.
GRAD FAIR
TUESDAY, APRIL 1 & WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Rhatigan Student Center, Shocker Store Spring graduates are invited to visit the Shocker Store in the RSC to participate in snack and prize giveaways, purchase regalia and order class rings and announcements.
WILDLIFE WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Rhatigan Student Center, East Atrium Join Tanganyika Wildlife Park for Wildlife Wednesday and interact with select ambassador animals.
LEGAL CAREERS PANEL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
12:30 p.m.
Jardine Hall, Room 308
Learn about work in the Federal Public Defenders office in Wichita from Assistant Federal Public Defender Ellen Albritton and investigator Madison Davis. This event is sponsored by the Pi Sigma Alpha Honors society and is open to all, free of charge.
HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED? CONTACT THE ARTS EDITOR: arts@thesunflower.com CONTACT THE NEWS EDITOR: news@thesunflower.com
Freshman Yadira Cruz-Diaz
Photos by Aubri Baker / The Sunflower
A
WSU’s ADI hosted a bouquet-making social for students on Tuesday, March 25.