Only a little over 4,000 students voted in 2022 compared to the near 5,000 students just four years before.
In 2020, however, with 14,663 students enrolled and 9,813 registered to vote, over 7,500 students voted in that year’s election. The Shocker Vote Coalition has listed short and long term goals for the
as a whole.
and
Some of the group’s longterm goals include:
n Increasing voter turnout by 20% by the year 2028 over 2020 totals with students of color voting as much as white students n Provide international students with information of how to vote in their home countries by 2026
n Implement a method of how to provide voting registration information among first-year students by 2026
Some of the group’s shortterm goals include:
n Increasing voter turnout by 10% by the year 2026 over 2020 totals with students color voting as much as white students n Offer information during firstyear seminars to provide first-year students with the necessary tools to vote n Research methods to increase voter turnout within populations that have a low voter turnout
CITY COUNCIL Q&A
District 1 candidates: LaWanda DeShazer and Joseph Shepard
Why are you running for your position?
District 3
I’m running because I actually care about District 1. I grew up in District 1 at a time when I saw things flourishing, or it appeared as a kid, you know. We had grocery stores, we had businesses. And as I got older, these things started disappearing. I’ve noticed now, as an adult, our community has been neglected, so I’m running because I want to bring back the things that were here at one point in time, but even bigger and
Shepard:
My generation inherited this democracy, and I think that … most of us can agree, that there is a lot going on in our democracy. That requires people who care about the democracy to step up. Not only do I care, I believe that I’m equipped with the skills and the experiences … to represent a district as diverse as District 1.
I want to make sure that we’re thinking about putting people in positions of a perceived authority that can help tackle the challenges that will make life better
Why should students vote for you?
DeShazer:
Students should vote for me because of my lived experience. I have kids, right? I know my daughter graduated from college with a biochemistry degree, and could not find a job. I want our students here at WSU to understand that if we work together (with) the city and work with the students, we know what jobs they’re going to be looking for. It’s our job to attract those industries here in Wichita, so our students don’t leave. And for the students who are transfers, they stay because they know they have a pathway to success.
Shepard: I’m reflective of many of the students here. I know the difficulty of what it is like to be a student and to live in a community where you at times don’t feel heard, seen or valued outside the four walls of that institution, because everything is happening that impacts you without you at the table. I know that there are issues that impact the lives of our students on this campus. And so when I’m elected, I’m making decisions with them in mind as well.
What role does Wichita State University play in District 1?
DeShazer:
(WSU is) one of the biggest developers in District 1. This plays
*Candidates’ answers have been edited for length and clarity.
a major role. A few years ago, they were talking about University Village, and so they were saying, “How can we as a university connect with our neighbors?” I liked the plans that they had laid out, and so I just hope that they continue. On the plan was daycare centers, grocery stores, and so I think WSU could be an amazing neighbor in this area. You know, they’ve offered scholarships to make sure kids can get an education. So, I want us to continue the relationship and make it even better.
Shepard:
I have always felt ever since stepping foot on this campus in 2011 that there were some amazing people here and that we could fix and solve a lot of our problems if we worked hard to retain a lot of that talent.
Now we’re attracting folks from all over with that I-35 corridor, in-state scholarship incentive. That’s a great opportunity to say, “not only can we retain our homegrown talent, but we can retain some talent that’s not even from here.”
We have to do a better job, in my opinion, of connecting the campus with the community. … And I will be ready within my first hundred days to do that.
The Sunflower reached out to all the Wichita City Council candidates for an interview about their priorities, background and more. Candidates’ answers have been edited for length and clarity. The other candidate for District 3, Genevieve Howerton, did not respond to requests for an interview.
District 6
Why are you running?
The reason I ran the first time is because I have multiple family members who have issues surrounding mental health and addiction, and I’ve seen the gaps in the community as far as help for families like mine. So I wanted to run and try and improve that process and make sure – because in South Wichita, there’s not a family that’s not touched by one of those two issues – and so just making sure that we improve the resources that are out there and really try and help families that are facing these issues. After the last four years,
we’ve done a number of things to advance those causes, and I just want to keep my foot on the gas. We’re moving in the right direction, but I want to see us through.
Why should Wichita State students vote for you?
Well, I want to set Wichita up to be a community that you can live in now, but also the one that you can find gainful employment, that you can just fall in love with the city and want to stay here and especially, want to raise a family. We’re doing what we can to
address quality of life issues that will affect them, not only short term, but especially long term. If they do choose to stay here, if they do find employment, we have a low cost of living here, which can be very attractive to people if what you want is a nice home or a nice apartment, and again, to be able to find gainful employment and raise a family. I want to continue to work on that to make Wichita a great place, not just to visit, but a great place to live.
What principles or values are guiding your campaign? Looking out for everybody. There’s a lot of people who are in despair right now. There’s a lot of people who have been left behind. We see rising costs is everything. Social security is not going up enough to cover those costs. Disability is not going up to cover those costs. Wages aren’t going up enough to cover those costs. So we need to make sure that our dollars are working for the right causes and working to affect people, everyday people, in a positive way.
The Sunflower reached out to all the Wichita City Council candidates for an interview about their priorities, background and more. Candidates’ answers have been edited for length and clarity. The other candidates for District 6, Brett Anderson and incumbent Maggie Ballard, did not respond to requests for an interview.
Why are you running?
I’m running because I care. We have a lot of wasteful spending going on. What got me into the race is when I opened up the newspaper and seen that we spent
$600,000 on two porta potties, you know, like, “did we really need that?”
We keep on saying, ‘Affordable housing, affordable housing.’ Everybody has been for affordable housing. But do you know that there is not an affordable housing policy? So how are you guys for affordable housing when you guys are in the seat to put in place? I’m going to be an elder one day, and I don’t want to be priced out. I want to make sure we get a policy in place that fits everyone, not just feeding the rich.
Lastly, the homeless population, is really out of control and I believe that we need to show true compassion and meet them where they are. I believe we should set up
intentional communities, zones, or you can call them campgrounds. This unties everybody’s hands, because right now everyone’s hands are tied. The policy says that building encampments are illegal. The police officers have to sweep them. They sweep them to where?
… After they get out of the shelters in the morning, they have nowhere to go, so then they end up just walking.
It will also make it easier on the police when they do the sweeps, at least now they have somewhere they can tell them where they can go.
Editor’s note: The city council voted in 2024 to accept a $660,310 bid from a contractor to build restrooms at two downtown parks,
according to 12 News.
Why should Wichita State students vote for you?
Because I care. One thing about when we’re young – we have passion and we really want to make a change. When you think about the things that I’m talking about, of giving homeless people an actual area to go to, that’s major, where we can go and actually show true compassion and show up for them. That’s what we believe in and as humanity, that’s what we believe in, right? But eventually, as we grow up, this world has a way of really just tearing us down and taking that piece of humanity from us. So if we can start now and be like, “Yes, we can change the world
and your voice is powerful.” That’s why you need to vote, because I’m going to stand up for you. I’m going to stand up and I’m going to speak out.
What principles or values would you say are most important to you or would guide your decisions in this role?
Integrity, passion (and), I’m a very warm person – where I feel like I’m friendly enough to and open enough to address, and where you can come up to me and I feel like I can come up to you. But my biggest one is passion. I really want to make a change.
Mike Hoheisel
Margaret Shabazz
Q&A WITH WICHITA BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES
District 1
Why should Wichita State students vote for you?
Wichita State students should vote for me because I’m focused on results that matter — strong academics, safe schools and opportunities that prepare students for real life. I’ve worked to expand Career & Technical Education and FutureReady Centers so students graduate ready for college or the workforce. As Board President,
District 2
Why should Wichita State students vote for you?
Because I am someone who listens to what is being said and helps make it best for the majority. I have supported my former students in their career choices and in helping them find the right education for them. I have had many students attend and graduate from WSU for many years.
I’ve led with transparency, accountability, and common sense. Whether you’re new to Wichita or grew up here, your vote can help shape schools that build the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders.
What are your priorities if elected?
My priorities are improving student achievement, delivering measurable results, and elevating great teachers. I will continue focusing on strong reading and math instruction, expanding career pathways, and ensuring teachers have the tools, training, and support they need to help students thrive. I believe in transparency, accountability, and using taxpayer dollars wisely. Wichita students deserve classrooms that challenge and inspire them – and teachers who are trusted and respected for the incredible work they do every day.
Why should Wichita State students vote for you?
I am a WSU Alumnus with a BS in Biological and Biomedical Science and a Masters of Health Administration. I love that school and want everyone that goes there to know that their younger siblings will be represented and cared for in this district. Their future and family’s future plans in the city of Wichita will be feasible with
District 5
What are your priorities if elected?
More effective truancy policy, because there is proven data that says if students aren’t in school they drop out. That does not help them reach their potential or career goals, because they are behind. I also support fewer tests for younger students, supporting teachers, more hands-on activities for teachers to use (community engagement) and a more consistent disciplinary policy.
The other candidates for District 2, Julie Hedrick and Brent Davis, have not responded to The Sunflower’s questions yet.
Julie Hedrick has served on the Board of Education for Wichita Public Schools for eight years and previously worked in the district’s Facilities Division. Her priority is making sure students receive a high quality education that prepares them for their future, Hedrick told the Wichita Eagle.
Brent Davis, a Wichita State alum, owns a private school and tutoring business. His three priorities, according to his campaign’s website, include student achievement, parental choice and rewarding teachers and administrators.
District 6
Why should Wichita State students vote for you?
I wish I realized in college how crucial local elections were! For our WSU students, your decisions to vote impact our city’s future and yours as well! I want to ensure you have fantastic schools in your neighborhood, well-equipped citizens, and hopefully a place you’d like to work! I’m asking for your vote as a parent who lives every day seeing what it means to have quality educators, staff, and
community pour into our kids. Please review the answers below and reach out with questions through my website www. WarrenForWichitaSchools.com.
What are your priorities if elected?
1. Advocating for a school bond that addresses the needs of our public education system and reflects the values of our communities. My priority is to support solutions that provide for small class sizes and keep neighborhood schools open.
2. Addressing distracting technology in schools (better safeguards and effective design for school-issued devices) and revising our Personal Electronic Device policies using model policies with demonstrated success nationally.
3. Supporting all educators and staff with competitive pay, classroom support and safe work environments which can lead to better job satisfaction and retention.
the public education offered here and that their younger siblings, relatives, and friends in the city will be treated like more than just statistics and test scores if I’m elected.
What are your priorities if elected?
I’m looking to pass a bond issue to maintain funding at no tax increase — funding that will go toward building maintenance like correcting heating and cooling issues that are major distractions and health hazards. I’m also a major proponent of the community schools program and would like to expand the pilot district wide — the program helps us care wholly for students and families. I’d also like to protect, support, and implement more robust mental health and health resources in general.
Why should Wichita State students vote for you?
I believe in building strong connections between our universities and our USD 259 community. As an educator for over 30 years and now an adjunct instructor at Butler Community College, I’ve worked closely with students from all backgrounds to help them reach their goals. Through my advocacy for the WSU employees’ union, I’ve advocated for fairness and collaboration
across campus. I’m committed to strengthening partnerships between students, educators and the community to ensure Wichita schools serve everyone equitably and effectively.
What are your priorities if elected?
My top priority is expanding the Community Schools model in USD 259, which strengthens the connection between schools, families, and neighborhoods. Community Schools serve as hubs for learning, health, and social support, ensuring every child has the resources to succeed. By partnering with local organizations and families, we can address barriers to learning, improve attendance and create safer, more supportive environments. Investing in this model means investing in the whole child — academically, socially and emotionally — while building stronger, more resilient communities across Wichita.
The other candidate for District 5, Kathy Bond, has not responded to The Sunflower’s questions yet. Bond, the incumbent, is a former business owner and licensed teacher in Wichita and Derby schools. Bond’s top priority is improving academic achievement, according to her campaign’s website.
Why should Wichita State students vote for you?
Wichita State students should vote for me because I believe strong public schools are the foundation of a strong Wichita. When K–12 students are well-prepared, our entire community benefits — including local universities and the workforce. I bring experience, accountability and a commitment to ensuring every student graduates ready for college, career, or technical programs — including
those offered at Wichita State.
What are your priorities if elected?
My priorities are to ensure every student can read by third grade, graduate with a plan for their future and learn in a safe, inclusive environment. I will continue supporting teachers with competitive pay and resources, expanding workforce and college readiness programs, improving mental health supports, and maintaining fiscal responsibility so our schools stay strong and our students are prepared for life after graduation.
Diane Albert — 1
Mackenzie Truelove — 1
Amy Jensen — 5
Amy Warren — 6
Hazel Stabler — 6
Valerie Most — 2
What effect does the government shutdown have on Wichita State?
KAMI STEINLE
The United States government was shut down on Oct. 1 due to lawmakers being unable to pass a funding bill for fiscal year 2026. As of Oct. 17, the shutdown continues, with legislators divided across party lines.
As for higher education — assuming the government shutdown is short-term — there won’t be any major effects. Each branch of the US government has to agree to pass funding bills for each fiscal year, or the government will shut down. Republicans proposed spending cuts to government health agencies,
and most Democrats voted in opposition. For the government shutdown to end, Republicans and Democrats need to reach an agreement.
“If I had to find a bright note, I would say the timing is important and is actually beneficial to higher education,” Wichita State’s Chief of Staff and Executive Director of Government Relations, Zach Gearhart, said. “But that’s obviously unique to us versus other people who depend on agencies.”
The federal fiscal year ended Sept. 30, which means students’ financial aid will not be affected for the 2025-26 school year because all student loans are processed in the
summer.
Here’s what we know.
“I think the good news for higher (education) is the biggest thing they do for us is probably — from a financial standpoint — the disbursement of federal financial aid,” Gearhart said. “That usually happens over the course of the summer after students obviously do the FAFSA, and then the Department of Education then pushes those funds out to the individual universities too, then pushes out to students.”
There have been four government shutdowns in the past 10 years, so many government entities are prepared for when it may happen, Gearhart said.
“With the number of times that it’s been threatened, which is way more (than four), they’ve become somewhat normalized,” Gearhart said. “I think a lot of the agencies at the federal level and agencies locally in states, that depend on federal agencies, have kind of figured out how they respond to it, how they work, or how they prioritize their operations with limited funding and personnel.”
Also, since government shutdowns do happen relatively often, it is rare that the government will fully halt all operations, according to Gearhart. Many government employees are still required to work without pay, but
that has little effect on WSU or any other public university.
If the shutdown continues longterm, however, Gearhart said the university will have to grapple with the financial impact from its effect on federal student financial aid.
“In the event that the shutdown were to happen prior to federal financial aid being dispersed, I think that we would have to work well in advance to put into support whatever financial resources we could bring to bear to help those students,” Gearhart said. “But it would almost certainly have unavoidable consequences for the financial situation for the university.”
The D.R.E.A.M. for a more accessible Wichita State
CHAIRO OGBEBOR
ogbeborchairo@gmail.com
D.R.E.A.M., which stands for Disability Rights, Education, Activism and Mentoring, is a student-led organization aiming to make college campuses more accessible for students with disabilities. There are chapters in 83 post-secondary institutions across the United States, including one at Wichita State.
One of D.R.E.A.M.’s main goals as an organization on campus is to be a place where people with disabilities can go to raise concerns they might have, seek help, or just be around people who can relate to what they go through.
“We are charged with the mission to create a space for disabled students and allies on campus,” Victoria Owens, WSU chapter president and accessibility coordinator, said. “To build community, to talk about advancing legislation and policy that supports the disabled community, discussing barriers to access, and also just giving people who are disabled a space on campus to talk to other disabled people or allies.”
Sydnie VanArsdale, a junior
majoring in political science with a minor in ASL, serves as the vice president of the group. She sees it not as just about inclusivity, but also equity.
“Fundamentally, the purpose of D.R.E.A.M. is to ensure that students with disabilities, in all forms, are supported in success, most importantly within the sphere of education and existing as a college student,” VanArsdale said. “Whether it’s facilitating accommodations, educating students about disability rights, or helping them access available resources, D.R.E.A.M. plays a vital role in empowering our community.”
Hashim Syed, a senior majoring in communications, is the group’s marketing director. Syed said he wants “to help bridge the divide between students with and without disabilities.”
“My hope is to create more moments of connection and understanding, where people can see past labels and learn from each other’s experiences,” Syed said.
“Despite the challenges, those with disabilities are able, and they have so much to contribute when given
the opportunity.”
In their effort to create a safe space for disabled students and bring light to challenges and issues the community might face, D.R.E.A.M. hosts several on-campus events. Some upcoming events include ‘Ghouls Night In’ – a movie night for the Halloween season, a gratitude gathering for Thanksgiving, a know your rights meeting in November and, to round out the semester during finals week, Cocoa & Cram.
“For me, D.R.E.A.M. represents belonging,” Syed said. “Living with vision loss has taught me a lot about resilience and confidence.
Now, through D.R.E.A.M., I hope to use that experience to advocate for others and help create a campus where students with disabilities feel seen, valued and included.”
D.R.E.A.M. hopes to raise awareness and educate people on the struggles that disabled people face.
“It’s one thing that a lot of people misunderstand — especially people who aren’t part of the community — is that all of us will be disabled at one point,” Owens said. “If we are … able to age
past a certain time, our bodies deteriorate. We are disabled by time; everyone will be a part of our community. It can also happen at the snap of your fingers; you can be a part of our community. A lot of people have temporary disabilities, pregnancy is one of them.”
Syed shared the sentiment.
“This year, I want to help bridge the divide between students with and without disabilities,” Syed said. “My hope is to create more moments of connection and understanding, where people can see past labels and learn from each other’s experiences. Despite the challenges, those with disabilities are able, and they have so much to contribute when given the opportunity.”
D.R.E.A.M. members’ work goes beyond events on campus; there have been several people affiliated with the organization who have been very involved in the Student Government Association.
Owens is now in her fifth year as a member of SGA. Another member of the executive team and Owens’ twin sister, Adriana, served as the student services chairperson when Owens served as the speaker of the
Student Senate.
D.R.E.A.M. will continue to have events this semester and in the next. The team is determined to provide a community for students who might be disabled and to bring awareness to issues that they face.
“If I had been aware of D.R.E.A.M. and the resources it provides during my first semester at WSU, a time when I was trying to cope with significant personal challenges on top of disability related issues, I believe that transition would have been significantly easier,” VanArsdale said. “I know there are many students on campus who are in similar situations, unaware of the extensive support available to them and how much it could benefit their college experience.”
In the previous issue, The Sunflower ran a mistake regarding the name of Dean Kimberly Engber of the Cohen Honors College, who was mistakenly named Kimberly Ember. The Sunflower is committed to accuracy and takes care to prevent erros in its publications. Therefore, we believe in being transparent when addressing and correcting inaccuracies. CORRECTION
A temporary fence surrounds the White House on Oct. 16. The fence was erected in late September in preparation for a diplomatic visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Photo by Zachary Ruth / The Sunflower
OPINION
WAKE UP AND VOTE, WICHITA
As we approach election season, it’s easy to get caught up in the national chaos and noise that has plagued Americans since November. But for Wichita, the truth is, local elections are just as crucial, if not more so.
The decisions made by your city council, school board, and county commissioners shape the streets you drive on and the schools Wichita children attend. What is happening in D.C. trickles down, yes, but it is what happens in City Hall that hits your wallet, or makes your regular commute to work and school all the more backed up because of construction.
With City Council district seats 1, 3 and 6 up for election, you will have a direct say in who shapes the future of your neighborhood.
Whether you live in College Hill, South Wichita, or the Riverside area, the person you elect will directly influence everything from zoning laws to neighborhood development.
What’s on the line?
If you are driving on terrible
roads and paying high property taxes or the increasing cost of city services, part of that is the City Council is who is grinding your gears. They decide how much funding goes to your local fire department or if high-flooding streets can get an improvement. Different politicians will pay attention to your needs, while others may ignore them. (Yes, District 3, I am upset about the terrible roads, the constant terrible smell in the air and flooding.)
The council also sets zoning laws. Translation: they can make the decisions that impact everything from new housing developments to whether your favorite community spots are sold off to someone who wants to build on it —- especially since we do not need another car wash built in Wichita for at least a lifetime.
If you prefer the quiet, relaxing vibe during the weekends or have a hard time focusing while completing school work, maybe the politician who is pushing for new developments and construction near your neighborhood is not your answer.
These choices in the election impact your quality of life.
Then there is the school board.
If you have kids, want kids within the next few years, or if
you just care about the future of Wichita’s education system, the school board races are key. The people elected in this November will have a say in everything from school safety to teacher pay and even school closures.
The decisions they make tomorrow can have a trickle down effect to impact future children, especially if their decisions are set in a more permanent fashion like the recent school closures happening across Wichita.
These races don’t tend to get as much attention as city elections, but they have huge consequences for local students, teachers and families. These elected positions are in charge of the educators for children; their choices shape the lives of upcoming generations, like derailing an entire family to close six schools across the city.
I am tired of seeing teachers not given enough money to buy school supplies for their classrooms. A hundred dollars for the whole year is ridiculous, and honestly, offensive.
If a teacher cannot afford to get the bare minimum supplies, that reflects poorly on these elected officials. Because if a school board official cares so much about the school system, why would they want to screw over the backbones
of that system?
If we want Wichita to grow and thrive, we need strong public schools that prepare the next generation for success. What’s crucial here is that your vote is not just about picking names on a ballot; it is about picking people who will be the decision-makers for your community.
Listen to what these candidates are saying, what their goals are. Compare and contrast topics on their agenda in regards to what the community needs, and what you need. Even a pro-con list of voting for these people will suffice.
Take the time to educate yourself about the candidates.
Attend forums, meet-and-greets and listen to their goals. There is a harsh difference between a person in power that genuinely cares about the community around them, and others that want the title, power and attention.
The last thing I cannot say loud enough is to vote with empathy. Vote with love for your community as Wichita faces a new term of people in power.
Choose to affect Wichita for the better and not to ignore its cries for help within streets, businesses and schools.
Our country has handed down many problems to current young adults and unfortunately, that means it is up to us to fix it. When change is needed, we as young people should not expect it to come naturally. As a whole country, our numbers are large –large enough to make substantial changes. That is why it is the civic duty of every eligible citizen in a democratic republic to vote.
We as students are busy, and that may feel like a good reason to not vote. However, with the number of problems on our country’s plate, such as affordability of housing and health care, social justice issues and more, it is crucial to exercise
our right to vote. Working to fix these issues takes a push. We need to advocate for ourselves as citizens and realize how important these things are, otherwise we will become a victim of our own inaction.
According to National Geographic, one vote out of millions may not change much, but if enough people come together to vote, things may go the way one wants them to.
It may feel that some things are out of our control as a single individual, but I believe that is inaccurate. In order to create an effect, we must have an action to cause it. Everyone has personal morals and opinions on things that elected officials do. We should take those feelings and use them as a driver to go out and vote.
According to U.S. News, in 2024 36% of the eligible population did not vote in the
presidential election. That is almost 90 million people.
Another reason why some people do not vote is because of the candidates themselves, which is fair. However, if more people vote locally and elect people they prefer when they are first starting out in their political careers, I believe we could see some of them make their way up and change the stereotypical presidential standards.
Especially as students and young adults, I think we overlook the local and state elections and only see the federal government as the root of our problems. It is harder to hear about local elections because it seems like social media mostly focuses on federal candidates, however, I think local elections are important and very impactful to those living in the area. We are the future of this nation
Journalism is a term that I feel not many people understand, or don’t know exactly what it entails. I probably sound biased, being a journalist, but I can promise you real journalism isn’t inherently evil. It helps preserve a foundation of honesty and transparency between people in power and those who rely on them. It’s not some big scam to get people’s deepest, darkest secrets out of them.
Part of journalism’s role is being a “watchdog,” keeping people in power in check through extensive research. For example, in 1967, the New York Times and the Washington Post published “the Pentagon Papers,” a secret report detailing the United States’ involvement in Vietnam.
Despite the pushback from the Nixon administration on the story, with their threat of legal action, news outlets continued to publish the stories, so the American people could know exactly what was going on in their government.
Journalism is for the people — it’s generally a source of good that helps everyday citizens know what’s going on around them. Without the free press, democracy is nonexistent.
But it becomes nearly impossible for journalists to fill this role if politicians refuse to speak with the press in the first place.
Literally just in the last month, President Donald Trump’s administration tried to force journalists to sign an agreement. The new rules state that journalists would have to have governmental permission to post stories that happen there.
Many news outlets, including The New York Times and Fox News, turned in their access badges rather than sign the sketchy and unnecessary rules.
This war on the press, however, doesn’t just happen on the national level; it’s present in our own backyard in Wichita.
In 2022, while Wichita was on the search for the next police chief, the city barred all finalists from speaking to reporters under a gag order.
A gag order forbids someone — in this case, potential police chiefs — from speaking with the press: no interviews, no press conference questions, not even a single answer over email.
You may be sitting there asking – Why this is important?
The thing is, it’s not about the specific individuals or journalists’ jobs. It’s about transparency and a feeling that we’re being lied to. Sure, there are now YouTube press conference live streams and debates, and press releases from just about anyone in power, but here’s a secret: They are all mostly scripted and rehearsed; fake answers to make themselves look good and appease their audiences.
as it has been given to us whether we like it or not. Our kids, friends and family will all have to endure what elected officials decide to do with it. The dominoes will fall and we should plan ahead and choose to place the first by voting, if not for ourselves then for our morals in the walks of life. The future depends on us and will reflect our actions now. With the way things are going, I know I would like to see a change, but do you?
They’re watered-down, pushover answers that only have one job — to paint the person speaking in the best possible light. These scripted responses were probably examined by a billion editors sitting around a round table, sipping coffee and congratulating themselves on a job well done of preserving their client’s image.
You don’t learn about people or what they stand for with this method of sharing. You learn the PR version of what they have to say.
It may not seem like a big deal, but in the long scheme of things, this is only the beginning of losing what the truth actually means.
The American people can not keep relying on picture-perfect press releases. Politicians, and honestly, anyone in power, need to speak to journalists.
Don’t damage democracy just because you’re scared of a few people with a couple of tough questions. And if they can’t handle that, I highly encourage them to find another career — and for people not to vote until you know just exactly who you’re voting for.
Illustration by Emma Wilks/ The Sunflower
Illustrations by Emma Wilks/ The Sunflower
Elkana Kipruto continues strong sophomore run at Pre-Nationals
BY EVAN TONG evantong3@gmail.com
Wichita State’s cross country team crossed the border into Missouri for the Pre-National Invitational hosted by Missouri on Friday morning.
Women’s 6-kilometer
The women’s team did not have a good showing at the event, placing 24th among the crowd of 38 teams. BYU won on the women’s side with 25 points.
Senior Lucy Ndungu was the first of the Shockers to finish with a time of 20:31.6 in 44th place.
Freshman Mercy Jepkoech was unable to follow up on a 10th place finish in Arkansas, lagging far behind Ndungu with a time of 21:07.9, good enough for 104th place. Senior Sarah Bertry finished in 154th place with a time of 21:33.4.
Men’s 8-kilometer
The men’s team finished in seventh place, just ahead of No. 22-ranked Arkansas. Georgia won the men’s race with 119 points.
Sophomore standout Elkana Kipruto continued his dominant first season at WSU, finishing second in the men’s event with a time of 22:45.6. He was only one second from finishing in first place and broke Wichita State’s program record in the 8-kilometer in the process.
Senior Adrian Diaz-Lopez finished in 18th place with a time of 23:35.7. Sophomore Kelvin Kipyego finished in 39th place with a time of 24:00.4.
No other Shocker finished the race until senior Zander Cobb crossed the finish line with a time of 24:43.1, good enough for 100th place. Wichita State’s next cross country event will be at the American Conference Championships in Concord, N.C. on Saturday, Nov. 1. For more information on start times, visit goshockers.com.
Women’s tennis enters Jacob Eddins era
BY OWEN PROTHRO sports@thesunflower.com
Jacob Eddins became familiar with Wichita State’s women’s tennis program from the sidelines — first as a young coach, then through family ties when his sisterin-law Joelle Kissell was hired as an assistant coach at WSU.
Now the program is more than something he’s heard about. It’s his to lead.
Five weeks after longtime coach Colin Foster stepped down, Eddins was hired as his successor.
“Between Colin and Chris Young, who was here just before him, they have won I think 19 conference championships and have made the NCAA Tournament 12 different times,” Eddins said. “I think there’s a high expectation, but I want to continue to raise the bar and reach that next level. I want to compete for championships.”
Eddins admitted that there are some big shoes to fill. Foster, who led the Shockers from 2009-25, left with eight conference titles and as the all-time winningest coach in program history with a career record of 251-150.
Foster stepped down to accept the director of tennis position at the Wichita Country Club. Some WSU players didn’t know what to make of the change, but junior Giorgia Roselli said she was understanding of Foster’s decision.
He wants us to always be there for each other, and that’s really good. On the court, I think that he has a lot of skills and that makes us improve a lot.”
“It was a really, really good offer for him,” Roselli said. “He has four kids, too, and it’s hard during the season to leave them and travel all the time.”
Beyond wins, Foster built a culture rooted in family — something especially meaningful in a sport dominated by international players far from home. Roselli sees the same emphasis in Eddins.
“Him and Colin are similar in a lot of things, like families and culture,” she said. “He wants us to always be there for each other, and that’s really good. On the court, I think that he has a lot of skills and that makes us improve a lot.”
Although this is Eddins’s first head coaching job, he brings a wealth of experience with him. At Illinois, he helped the Fighting Illini reach back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 2024 and 2025. His resume also includes stops at West Virginia, Auburn and Western Carolina, where he contributed to school-record win totals and national rankings — including WVU’s No. 51 ITA ranking in 2023.
That experience is already translating into early success for the Shockers. At the Husker Invitational from Sept. 26-28, the team won 14 of its matches.
Junior Xin Tong Wang was also named the American Conference’s Women’s Tennis Player of the Month for September under Eddins’ wing.
Eddins credited the team’s fast start to strong communication and a shared work ethic.
“I think effectively communicating with them just day-to-day about, ‘Hey this is what we’re going to do today,’ and the ‘why’ behind that is really important,” Eddins said. “Then just making sure that we’re starting on the right foot with our work ethic when we’re training on the tennis court, or in the weight room, or doing conditioning — we’re always putting our best foot forward and we’re committed to what we’re doing.”
With only one newcomer on this year’s roster, Eddins said the team’s existing chemistry has helped ease the transition.
“You’re the new guy coming in, and so things (are) starting to form,” Eddins said. “Those relationships, individually, with the girls is important. But just seeing how strong the culture is and how close the girls were already made it a little bit easier for me.”
With the history of his predecessor and the opportunity to set new standards, Eddins has embraced the challenge and is using it to further the program. And as he settles into a new environment and builds connections with the players and community at WSU, Eddins hasn’t taken a moment for granted.
“To have this opportunity at a place like Wichita State, with a lot of history, it’s an amazing opportunity,” Eddins said. “We’re really excited about it.”
Jacob Eddins’ previous stops n Wichita State: 2025-present n Illinois: 2023-2025 n West Virginia: 2019-2023 n Auburn: 2018-2019 n Western Carolina: 2013-2018 n Pittsburgh: 2012-2013 n Cornell: 2011-2012 n Marshall: 2009-2010
Volleyball splits games in trip to Texas
BY JAYDEN WOODS
& MACK SMITH jaydenwoods86@gmail.com & mackred22@gmail.com
Wichita State’s volleyball team made a road trip to Texas over the weekend with matches against UTSA and Rice.
The Shockers split their two outings, beating UTSA on Friday evening and losing to Rice on Sunday afternoon in a five-set thriller.
After the two games, the team’s overall record is now 13-7 on the season and 5-3 in the American Conference.
With the trip to the Lone Star State in the books, Wichita State returns home for its next two matches, starting with Tulane on Friday at 7 p.m.
at UTSA
The Shockers went into San Antonio on a two-game winning streak and faced UTSA, which entered the match on a two-game skid. Wichita State took care of business for a third-straight outing, winning in four sets, 3-1.
The Shockers won by scorelines of (25-28), (25-15), (25-23), (25-17).
Wichita State’s offense was impressive all night, finishing with a .320 hitting percentage compared to UTSA’s .134.
The Shockers also out-killed the Roadrunners, 57–41, and dominated at the net with 15 blocks to UTSA’s six. Junior outside hitter Sydney
Dunning and redshirt senior right side Brooklyn Leggett led the way for Wichita State, combining for 27 of the team’s 57 kills. Leggett finished with 15 kills on a .462 hitting percentage, her 10th match this season with double-digit kills, while Dunning added 12 kills and hit .212. Dunning picked up her ninth double-double this season with 12 kills and 13 digs on the night.
Junior setter Jordan Heatherly led the team in assists with 31, while redshirt freshman setter Sarah Musial chipped in 14.
Wichita State only dropped set three, as the team hit .200 for the set compared to the Roadrunners’ .296 hitting percentage. But, the Shockers responded in the final frame by jumping out to a 12-3 lead, essentially putting the game out of reach.
at Rice
For the third consecutive match against Rice, Wichita State fell to the Owls in a five-set heartbreaker, 3-2. The Shockers’ three-game winning streak snapped with the Sunday afternoon loss.
Wichita State lost by scorelines of (25-23), (25-22), (25-22), (2520), (15-10).
The Shockers were outhit by Rice, .243-.199, despite making more kills than the Owls, 69-64. Rice also made nine more blocks than Wichita State, 15-6. The Shockers finished with 31 attack errors, a season-high.
There were bright spots, however. Sophomore libero Grace Hett made a career-high 22 digs, and freshman outside hitter McKenzie Jones finished with a careerhigh 11 kills on a .280 hitting percentage.
After Wichita State won the first set, 25-23, the Owls took the next two by scores of 25-22 in both sets two and three.
Wichita State won the fourth set, 25-20, and used a 5-0 run to give the away team some momentum in the frame and force a tie-breaking set five. The Shockers took a 9-8 lead in the fifth after kills from Leggett and Jones. But, the Owls ripped off a 5-0 run that stole any momentum, 13-9, as the Shockers fell quietly, 15-10.
Jacob Eddins. Photo courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
GIORGIA ROSELLI Junior, Wichita State Women’s Tennis
DATE WITH A BOOK
Wichta State office of Student Engagment and Belonging hosted its bookswap and craft hour event, in which Shockers were able to make a bookmark to be donated to hospice patients and take a mystery book, with genres and topics ranging from “feminist poetry” to “family secrets.”
Tallgrass film festival entering its 23rd year of showcasing and helping independent filmmakers
MALEAH EVANS
arts@thesunflower.com
The Tallgrass film festival is entering its 23rd year of showcasing small, independent films made by filmmakers trying to get their start. The films showcased are from both Wichita community members and from people beyond.
The film festival is made for the community, with partnerships with businesses and organizations around the Wichita area. One of these partnerships this year is with the Wichita State history department.
“It’s really about engaging the larger community and getting the community to be thinking about some bigger issues,” Wichita State history professor Jay Price said. “We’re thrilled to have that.”
Tallgrass Film Association, the organization that runs the festival, was founded in 2002, under the
name Wichita Association for Motion Picture Arts, and the first Tallgrass Film Festival was held in October 2003.
The association holds its annual film festival in October every year.
Several of the board members who work for Tallgrass are Wichita natives, like Andre Seward, the programming director of Tallgrass. Seward began his relationship with the association through volunteer work in high school.
“(I) actually volunteered doing different things during the festival, and then after high school, I started reviewing films,” he said. “During college, I was still volunteering, still reviewing films for a while.”
As the programming director, Seward oversees the film selection process and organizes the submitted films for the festival.
Films are submitted in the winter, and a board of volunteer
viewers watches them and provides the first round of feedback. Then, it comes to Seward, and he is in charge of making sure each of the films is watched. Then the film list is narrowed down based on the originality of the films and their “freshness.”
“Something that’s super new and well made is going to be more interesting to us, usually, than a film that’s more or less old,” Seward said. “Not always the case, but it can be a deciding factor for (when we’re) stuck between two films.”
Another factor Seward considers is current events in the world, thinking about how the audience will be affected.
The festival showcases several different types of films, from documentaries to animated, long and short. Each night of the festival, there are the “gala films,”
which are the films that Seward and his team wanted to showcase.
“These are the films that we hope would have a wide appeal … we focus in the evenings around seven or eight with the idea that’s kind of the film for the evening,” he said. “During the day, people kind of have to choose what to watch.”
One of the daytime films this year, titled “A brief history of chasing storms,” comes with a community partnership between the Wichita State History Department and the Tallgrass Association.
Price has worked with Tallgrass in the past and is renewing that relationship this year with the community partnership.
“I think the real root of this goes back … to a book project that I did with a number of students and with Craig Torbenson, and we did a book called ‘Kansas in
the Heart of Tornado Alley,’” Price said. “This was a book … really to understand what does it mean to be in Tornado Alley and why are we that easy … the book was really about the history of tornadoes … it’s also a story about the recovery.”
The community partnership is a helpful factor in bringing the community to both the campus and the film association, according to Price.
This year, Seward said that there is such a wide range of films that there is something for everybody. “Any type of person can come to the festival and find something that they would enjoy,” he said.
He also said that the organization is always looking for volunteers and people interested in film. Those interested can go to the Tallgrass website.
Klingsick / The Sunflower
Shreechandana
Lukas Spencer uses a purple marker to color a bookmark. This was part of a make and take event in the RSC on Oct. 16.
Lukas Spencer fills his bookmark with different patterns. Spencer stated that he wanted to show his “randomness” with the patterns.
Varsha Reddy colors her bookmark with a pink marker. Reddy participated in the make and take bookmark event in the RSC on Oct. 16.
CAPITAL CONVENTION
Sunflower staff members traveled to Washington D.C. for MediaFest25 from Oct. 14-18, bringing home three national Pacemaker Awards.
BASEBALL
SAVVY
Learn
COMPOSITES HANDS-ON TRAINING COURSE Tuesday, Oct. 21
Come
HALLOWEEN
RESEARCH
PIZZA AND POLITICS
Wednesday, Oct. 22
12:30 p.m.
Lindquist Hall
Come join a discussion led by Political Science Professor Dr. Michael Hall on global tariffs. Free pizza included.
PROCRASTINATION PREVENTION NIGHT
Wednesday, Oct. 22
6 p.m. - Midnight Ablah Library
Come to Ablah Library for support, tutoring, workshops and more to help stay on top of your assignments and reduce stress over your work.
NIAR MANUFACTURING DAY
Thursday, Oct. 23
9 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
National Center for Aviation Training
Join industry figures and NIAR Representatives to celebrate Manufacturing Day with the National Institute for Aviation Research.
RESEARCH WEEK: URECA LUNCH AND LEARN
Thursday, Oct. 23
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ablah Library
Join the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub for a lunch and learn session and panel discussion on undergraduate research.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
WORKSHOP: MARKET RESEARCH FOR STARTUPS
Thursday, Oct. 23
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Ablah Library
Learn to analyze trends and competition to boost your academic projects take valuable skills into your professional career in any field.
HPC TRAINING EVENT: LEARN TO HARNESS HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING Thursday, Oct. 23
1 - 2 p.m.
Online
Learn about High Performance Computing designed to accelerate the workflow of researchers, students and professionals.
