The Sunflower v. 128 i. 21 (February 22, 2024)

BOOKING AROUND TOWN

Wichita State alum infuses love for reading in ‘Book Bus’ work

BY MIA HENNEN editor@thesunflower.com

Racine Zackula had a lot of ideas about her future career before she landed on being a librarian; she wanted to be a French horn professor, a DJ, a French professor — she even dabbled in being a nanny for a year.

Now, she’s a librarian, but not your typical one. She’s got green-blue hair, funky glasses and outfits to match her whimsical personality. About the only thing that gives her librarian identity away is a small “Shhh” tattoo on the side of her index finger.

“It’s so funny that I am a librarian because I’m not meek; I’m not mild-mannered,” Zackula said. “I want to be out with people. I love people.”

Jaime Nix, director of libraries for the WPL, attested to Zackula’s character.

“She’s our single extrovert on staff,” Nix said.

Zackula, a Wichita native, started her journey working with libraries while at Wichita State. There, she obtained her bachelor’s degree before receiving a master’s in library science at Emporia State.

“All the time that I was (going to) WSU pretty much, I was working at Wichita Public Library as a part-timer,” Zackula said. “It was funny because my friends (were like), ‘You work in a library?’ And it’s like, ‘Yes, I’ve gotten written up for being too noisy in the library.’”

Throughout her career, Zackula has worked in various roles within libraries.

“I am the Swiss Army knife of librarians,” she said. “All of the things that a librarian can do, I’ve done.”

“

I know it’s squirrely for a 55-yearold woman to wander around with a bubble gun and Pete the Cat (ears) and puppets, but I want the kids to have fun.

RACINE ZACKULA

Now, Zackula is the family literacy coordinator for the Wichita Public Library — a title that took her a “long time” to memorize.

“I wanted to be called the reading auntie, but I guess that isn’t an official title for a librarian,” she said.

In her role, Zackula drives the Wichita Public Library’s Book Bus, which brings books and resources to community members who may be unable to make it to a still-standing library. The outreach initiative was rolled out in November 2023, and Zackula has been driving the colorful, refurbished city bus since.

Children are a big target audience for the library’s bus, and Zackula aims to find unique ways to encourage them to read, especially through outfits and props.

“I know it’s squirrely for a 55-year-old woman to wander around with a bubble gun and Pete the Cat (ears) and puppets, but I want the kids to have fun.”

The librarian’s personal aim is to “convince, cajole and con” people into reading.

“We want to get people jazzed,” Zackula said. “I’ve just been out here finding the places where I need to be to connect with others.”

Zackula said the bus is a part of the library’s larger mission to connect and meet

the community

“Wichita Public Library is coming into its rockstar era,” Zackula said. “We’re doing so many things to connect people with other people and to encourage learning and lifelong learning and to encourage community.”

On the bus, individuals can create a library card, return materials, use free Wi-Fi and check out from a small collection of books.

Zackula noted that the library always looks for book donations

Zackula also finds other ways to support the community while she’s out on the bus. She’s taken a first aid course, brings snacks on the bus, and carries naloxone and other materials to safely dispose of drugs or drug paraphernalia that she may encounter while driving.

“It’s a matter of meeting people where they’re at,” Zackula said.

When Zackula isn’t driving the Book Bus, she’s planning where to take it next. People can also request the bus for community events on the library’s website.

Zackula is the sole Book Bus driver, but the library has plans to bring on other drivers and create more book buses. Nix said the library is interested in obtaining electric vehicles in hopes of being more sustainable.

Nix said the next iteration of the bus will be about home delivery, something they plan to pilot next month.

“(The Book Bus) really did change the landscape of how we think about service,” Nix said. “If you talked with Racine, you know how enthusiastic she is about getting people excited to read. That’s just the funnest part about this job.”

Voice of the Shockers Mike Kennedy reveals cancer diagnosis, receives ‘heartwarming’ support

BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com

After not missing a game since 1980, Mike Kennedy, the “Voice of the Shockers,” released a statement last week, saying he would miss two men’s basketball games. In the statement, Kennedy revealed that he is in treatment for prostate cancer.

A Wichita State graduate, Kennedy has been the radio broadcaster on 103.7 KEYN and missed the games against East Carolina and Charlotte.

Kennedy said he has always felt healthy and nonchalant about his health, but a routine appointment would change his perspective.

During his appointment, Kennedy’s doctor did some blood work that showed a high level of a prostate-specific antigen, which was the tipoff. He then saw a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing

and treating diseases of the urinary system.

“I was pretty well prepared for it when I actually got the specific diagnosis,” Kennedy said. “You could kind of tell that (the doctor) knew even before they did the biopsy.”

The urologist told Kennedy that the cancer is isolated in a small area. Although it is a severe level of cancer, it is very treatable and attackable.

When he received his official diagnosis, Kennedy said he wanted to keep it private, but after receiving his treatment schedule, he knew he was going to miss some games.

He talked it over with his wife, Debbie, and after not missing a game in 44 years, he knew there would be some questions.

“So why not just get it out there and maybe try to use it as an opportunity to urge other men to get

tested and make it a positive thing,” Kennedy said.

According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.

Kennedy told The Sunflower that, despite his diagnosis, he feels fine.

“I haven’t had any side effects from the treatment or anything, and so I really don’t feel anything less than normal,” Kennedy said. He said after his announcement, he was overwhelmed by the amount of support he received from former coaches and players. “It was unbelievable, it was just

very humbling and very heartwarming,” Kennedy said. “So from kind of a weird standpoint, this experience has led to that, which has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.”

Kennedy has no plans of slowing down after his diagnosis but said he could see himself stepping down when his wife retires.

“I think it was probably a little bit of a wake-up for me,” Kennedy said. “I don’t have any immediate plans to think about retiring, but it’s just more realistic than it would have been a few years ago.”

He said he hopes his experience inspires others to reach out to those who have suffered a loss or are going through a tough medical situation.

“It has been absolutely amazing to find out what just a few kind words can mean,” Kennedy said.

Mike Kennedy smiles as he sits at the press bench on Feb. 21.| Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

Family literacy coordinator for WPL

Racine Zackula, family literacy coordinator for the Wichita Public Library, organizes books on the Book Bus. The Book Bus is a library on wheels that bring various books to different communities or individuals in Wichita. “ I love our mission,” Zackula said about the WPL. “We are to be out in the world and connecting with others where they’re at — and that’s what it’s all about.” | Photos by Mia Hennen / The Sunflower

Racine Zackula drives the Wichita Public Library’s Book Bus around town while talking about her experience as a librarian. Through her job, Zackula said she aims to “convince, cajole and con” people into reading.

A sign, saying “Are you hungry? Ask me for something!” hangs in the Wichita Public Library’s Book Bus. Racine Zackula keeps snacks on the bus. “I want there to be something available for people who are in need,” Zackula said.

Racine Zackula poses with the Wichita Public Library’s Book Bus while creating bubbles with a handheld toy. If she’s not on the road, Zackula spends much of her time planning where to take the Book Bus next.

KBOR speaks out against proposed DEI legislation

BY TRINITY RAMM managing@thesunflower.com

Jon Rolph, chair of the Kansas Board of Regents, defended diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in his chair’s report at a KBOR meeting on Feb. 14. His report is in response to debates in the Kansas legislature and nationwide over various DEI requirements and positions on university and college campuses. He broke down his own “personal reflections” and definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion, while stating how removing DEI requirements, programming and funding will “impact the lives of real people.”

Rolph was “most perplexed by the objections to inclusion” out of all of the three ideas that make up DEI. He said that he was opposed to ideas that equate exclusivity with value and that institutions were working to create inclusive environments for students, faculty and staff.

“We’re trying to meet the needs of our people, not as groups, but as individuals,” Rolph said. “It takes effort and intention to

cultivate a learning environment that supports inclusion and belonging. It is our aspiration to enhance all students’ chances at success, academically and economically, and harness all the positive implications that it has for our state and our nation.“

Rolph said that Kansas’ diversity “is a fact” and that KBOR has a “unique opportunity to reflect” that diversity through its work and institutions.

In regards to equity, Rolph said that it is necessary to eliminate barriers and obstacles to those wanting to attend institutions throughout the state.

“I have trouble understanding the objections,” Rolph said. “I can only assume that there are those that hold to the belief that if you do anything at all to advantage one group, you are taking something away from another. This is not, in my opinion, a zerosum game.”

DEI AT WSU

Wichita State asks for a diversity statement on its job applications, but it varies between applications. An example from

an assistant professorship in aerospace engineering looks like:

“An EDI Statement describes a faculty candidate’s past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how WSU thinks about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, please review our diversity plan.”

Because Wichita State has open admissions, it did not engage with affirmative action and currently does not require a diversity statement.

KANSAS LEGISLATURE CONVERSATIONS

The high education budget committee in the Kansas House of Representatives discussed a bill regarding DEI statements in hiring, scholarship and admissions practices at public, postsecondary institutions in Kansas on Jan. 31.

This bill, known as HB 2460, along with DEI statements, would also prohibit requiring statements of “patriotism or related topics.”

Offending institutions will be fined $100,000 per violation.

That money will either go to a state general fund or to a special revenue fund of a postsecondary educational institution that is not in violation and has not been in violation of this law for the previous two years.

Steven Howe, chairperson of the House committee on higher education budget, asked for this bill to be introduced to the committee and gave testimony on DEI statement requirements.

In this testimony, Howe cited two examples of these statements for faculty positions from the University of Kansas and Kansas State University.

In the University of Kansas application, applicants are asked to “describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

In Kansas State’s application, the university asked applicants for a “statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion.” As of the publication of this article, this requirement is no longer on the application.

In a later testimony, Tyler Coward, a representative from The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said that the legislation would not prevent universities from asking about applicants’ experiences with people from diverse backgrounds.

Howe said that state universities and KBOR “haven’t really demonstrated any formal action to address the issue (DEI), so it was really left to us in the legislature to address it.”

Rolph, however, said that KBOR and university leadership across Kansas “have continued to work in good faith to honor the request of (their) peers in the legislature.”

“HB 2460, from my perspective, creates significant confusion and potential conflict where unity and collaboration have been actively pursued,” Rolph said. “We remained open to continual dialogue, related to both concerns raised in the bill, believing that legislative action must be reserved as the final step and not the first step in any meaningful change.”

Wichita residents invited to discuss affordable housing at KLC

BY AINSLEY SMYTH ainsley.smyth3@gmail.com

This story comes from the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of 11 organizations, including The Sunflower.

Are you struggling to find quality affordable housing? Interested in becoming a homeowner? Concerned about homelessness?

In hopes of inviting the public to share their stories, opinions and questions about affordable housing, the Wichita Journalism Collaborative will host a community listening session later this month.

The event will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Kansas Leadership Center 325 East Douglas.

The session will include a panel of local housing experts and small group discussions between community members.

One panelist is Dr. Stanley Longhofer, chair of real estate and finance at Wichita State’s Barton School of Business and director of the Wichita State Center for Real Estate.

The WSU Center for Real Estate conducts research on Kansas real estate and helps

students connect with the industry.

“To me, the increase in housing costs that we’ve seen here recently have been really dramatic,” Longhofer said. “Not just here in Kansas, but across the country and at the same time, we’ve seen rental rates go up.”

Longhofer cited rising house prices, rent and construction costs as areas of concern for Kansas housing, and topics to discuss at the listening session.

Another panelist, Pete Nájera, is the president and CEO of United Way of the Plains.

“Everybody needs a place to live, and the question is, do we have enough housing for everybody?” Nájera said.

The panel will discuss this question and others posed by the community at the event.

United Way leads the Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/ Sedgwick County and conducts the annual “point-in-time” count on homelessness, which took place on Jan. 25 this year.

Other panelists include Danielle Johnson, executive director of Wichita Habitat for Humanity, and Sally Stang,

director of Housing and Community Services for the City of Wichita.

Feedback from the session will be used to find areas of priority for investigating the issue of housing and insight into how the community feels about these issues.

“I think it’s important for any community to have the data to see the housing challenge all the same way, presented in a thoughtful way, so that we can all see the same picture,” Nájera said. “If we see the same picture, then we can work together to develop a solution to it.”

The Wichita Journalism Collaborative is a cooperation between 11 news outlets and community partners that aims to grow and support journalism in and around Wichita.

Participants are The Active Age, The Community Voice, The Journal (Kansas Leadership Center), KMUW, KSNTV, The Sunflower, The Wichita Beacon, The Wichita Eagle, the Wichita Public Library, Planeta Venus and The Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University.

Feb. 26.

The WJC is funded by Wichita Community Foundation’s News & Info Initiative. It was launched in Spring 2020 with the help of a $100,000 grant from the Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) based in New York City.

The listening session is in conjunction with the collaborative’s 18-month series, Priced Out: The Future of Wichita Housing which is exploring issues and solutions related to housing challenges in

the Wichita area.

Collaborative partners have reported on barriers to affordable housing facing everyone from students to seniors, as well as the efforts of those tackling homelessness in the community.

Community members can register to attend the listening session here: https://shorturl.at/ ciwAR

Advanced registration is encouraged, but not required.

Kansas Board of Regents Chair Jon Rolph speaks during the Dec. 14, 2022 meeting of KBOR. | File photo by Mia Hennen / The Sunflower

Anti-abortion ‘preacher’ returns to Wichita State, attracts police attention

BY COURTNEY BROWN newsprojects@thesunflower.com

An anti-abortion advocate stood outside the Rhatigan Student Center on Tuesday to “preach the gospel” and speak against abortion and the LGBTQ+ community. Wichita State police watched at a distance after receiving a call from someone disturbed about the situation.

In March 2023, “Free the States” members and other anti-abortion protesters came to WSU with graphic posters, making students uncomfortable.

Nicholas Heald, one of the protesters, returned to Wichita State. Heald said he had been among the “abolitionists,” who distinguish themselves from pro-life groups with their goal to “abolish” abortion with no exceptions.

Heald displayed two large

BY MALEAH EVANS maleah.evans04@gmail.com

Amber Williams, a Wichita State engineering alum, aims to support other women of color and disadvantaged community members while running the business she started.

“I’ve known since the age of five, I came here to do big things,” Williams said.

Williams is a third-generation entrepreneur, with both of her parents and grandparents starting their own businesses in the Wichita area. She is also a citizen of Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma, and her Native identity is what drives her company, as Native Americans are often an underserved group in society.

According to its website, William’s business, Circa81 Design, specializes in full-service design, project management, construction administration and advising services. The company is a certified Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise that helps Native American tribes, public and private sectors in reaching their goals.

Williams admitted she’s had some struggles in starting her business and keeping it afloat, but she says she’s had a lot of supporters – many from her

posters. One poster condemned abortion and featured a bloody fetus. Stickers with anti-abortion messages and a graphic fetus image also cover Heald’s worn, duct-taped Bible.

Heald’s second poster quoted Proverbs 16:18, warning that “pride goes before destruction,” with the text displaying pride flag colors. Heald also expressed anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments when speaking with WSU students and condemned the LGBTQ+ community.

WSU Police Officer Zachary Hendrich said students had been “yelling” at Heald on Tuesday, and he and another officer came to learn more details.

“(Heald) is in a free speech zone, so he’s allowed to be here, even if people don’t like what he has to say,” Hendrich said.

family. She said her father was her first supporter, and others have come from the Wichita State community. “I’m grateful for the support I’ve had, and I want to be a representative for other women of color or other women who are in STEM,” Williams said. “I want them to understand that there are many men out there who want to support us, but we have to go in with our hearts open and trust our gut when it comes to developing relationships with these people.”

Williams mentioned that she wants her story to be a positive experience for other women of color in STEM to look at, especially since it is a heavily male-dominated field. She wants her story to help overshadow some of the negative experiences that others have had.

“We’re just kind of hanging out to encourage people not to keep yelling at him.”

Some students passing Heald made comments of scorn, such as “That’s pathetic.” One chalk phrase written on the ground near Heald expressed mockery: “I (heart) eating babies.”

Heald said that the chalk phrase and other negative reactions highlight the need for a “preacher” on campus. He said he returned to Wichita State specifically because of his alumni status as well as Wichita’s history with abortion.

“This actually is minor compared to what I’ve dealt with,” Heald said. “Like I was at UW-Milwaukee last year, and much worse — much, much worse (happened).”

In October 2023, Heald

“As a woman, you should know what you want. When you know what you want, you can navigate in this world a little bit more clearly,” Williams said. “It’s never too late to go after your dreams. I want women to know they have options.”

Williams also plans to give back to the Wichita State community, especially due to the university’s support in her endeavors. She will attend the “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” on campus on Feb. 22.

“I want to really create a resource for women of color –and not just women of color, people of disadvantage –that want to start businesses, to be able to open a door for them,” Williams said.

Her next big goal isto bring on 15 employees from Wichita State in the next year.

“I’m reaching back to the students in Wichita State to hire, to get interns,” Williams said. “Just to continue expanding and creating more impact in the Wichita area.”

Any students, specifically in the College of Engineering, who are interested in internship or career opportunities within the construction industry, can reach out to careers@circa81design.com.

spoke against abortion and LGTBQ+ rights at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Hendrich later asked Heald if he had a permit to be on WSU campus and discussed potentially bringing his supervisor to explain the situation to Heald. Heald reiterated his Constitutional rights and alumni status.

“I’ve stood in this spot several times before … I’m a little surprised that they asked that (about having a permit) because they didn’t ask that before,” Heald said.

Student Michael Miller said Heald shouldn’t have been allowed on campus due to Heald’s message of “intolerance” and opposition toward women’s “right to choose.”

Miller, a member of Sexual Health Advocacy, Resources and Education, a Planned Parenthood generation action chapter at WSU, shared that the lack of access to abortion care can lead to difficulties and potential health complications in pregnant people.

Student Bailey Goodman also said that, like “people handing out Bibles,” Heald speaking at WSU made her uncomfortable. Several students huddled closer together when walking past Heald.

Miller emphasized that a tolerant society cannot allow hateful views.

“We should be tolerant of all different viewpoints, but if you’re preaching hate, then no,” Miller said. “You can’t be tolerant of intolerant people.

THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

BY COURTNEY BROWN AND ALLISON CAMPBELL news@thesunflower.com newsprojects@thesunflower.com

FAFSA priority date extended to April 1

Following the delay from the new 2024-2025 FAFSA process, Wichita State University has extended its FAFSA priority date to April 1.

Current and prospective students can make appointments with the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to receive guidance on completing the FAFSA or ask other questions.

Appointments are available in-person and virtually. Visit wichita.edu/ finaidappt to make an appointment. More information about the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships can be found at Wichita.edu/FAFSA.

Woolsey Hall named ‘coolest office building in Wichita’

After receiving 67% of the final votes, Woolsey Hall has been named as the Wichita Business Journal’s “Coolest Office in Wichita.”

While the Barton Business building primarily houses business classes, more than 100 WSU faculty and staff use the building’s office space,

according to the Wichita Business Journal.

No monetary prize was offered to WSU, but the building and campus can boast “bragging rights” over the nine other finalist workplaces.

Student organization to call for ceasefire resolution

Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) plans to visit the Student Government Association’s public forum on Feb. 28 to ask for a ceasefire resolution so SGA can show “they do not stand for political actions taken against the Palestinian people as humans.”

The creation of Israel in 1948 led to the displacement of over 700,000 Palestinians and the capture of 78% of the region’s land. Following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, where around 1,200 Israelis died, Israel started a bombing campaign on Gaza shortly after. Over 29,000 Palestinians have been killed as of Feb. 19.

SJP encourages students to attend the SGA meeting and wear “kiffeyahs, cultural clothing, and Palestinian colors.” Starting on Feb. 21, SJP also plans to host vigils for Palestine every Wednesday from 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Grace Memorial Chapel north of the RSC.

Engineering

Nicholas Heald, a WSU alum and a member of Abolitionists Rising, speaks to a student outside of the RSC on Tuesday. “I was a student, now I’m a teacher, giving people the gospel, the best news that’s ever been heard ... and how will they hear unless a Christian brings them the good news?” Heald said.

A chalk drawing reads “I (heart) eating babies” in front of anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ activist Nicholas Heald.

WSUPD Officer Zachary Hendrich asks anti-abortion activist Nicholas Heald if he has a permit for protesting. Heald “preached” to students while protesting LGBTQ+ rights and abortion. | Photos by Allison Campbell / The Sunflower

Photo courtesy of Amber Williams

Men’s basketball returns to winning ways against Tulsa

BY JACOB UNRUH assistantsports@thesunflower.com

The Wichita State men’s basketball team played strong defense and scored at the rim repeatedly en route to a 79-63 win against the University of Tulsa on Wednesday night in front of a home crowd.

The Shockers improved to 11-16 this season and are 3-11 in the American Athletic Conference. Tulsa fell to 4-10 in conference play.

The Shockers were cold from the field to begin the game. Wichita State shot 0-6 from beyond the arc until redshirt junior guard Colby Rogers drained a 3-pointer with 8:15 left in the half.

Despite its poor shooting, Wichita State led 23-16 after Rogers’ three due to 14 points in the paint, eight of which came from junior forward Kenny

Pohto.

In the last five minutes of the half, Tulsa did not make a field goal, aiding as the Shockers went on a 14-1 run to lead 43-26. The Golden Hurricane had 13 turnovers in the first period.

The Shockers ran its lead out to 21, 53-32, after a 6-0 run in the second half. The stifling Wichita State defense continually forced Tulsa to put up contested shots and turnovers that led to layups at the other end.

Tulsa’s full-court press defense seemed to speed up the Shockers, who committed three turnovers in two minutes without scoring a basket; however, Tulsa was unable to capitalize at the other end, only scoring four points during the same span with 10 minutes left.

The remainder of the second half went without drama. Tulsa never cut the Shocker lead below 15 points in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Wichita State attempted only two 3-pointers in the second half, both in the final two minutes, after going 2/11 from beyond the arc in the first period. Tulsa shot a miserable 2/20 from deep in the game.

The Shockers disrupted Tulsa passing lanes all game and swiped at the ball, ending with 15 team steals, a season-high for the team.

Head coach Paul Mills said the Shockers played with good defensive intensity, getting after loose balls and using their length.

“I thought early that their basketball got a little bit easy to the paint,” Mills said. “I thought after that 16-minutemark … there was more of an intentionality about making sure that we clamped that down.”

Wichita State had a balanced offensive attack, with six players scoring at least eight points. Rogers led the way with 19, but

Pohto stole the show with 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Pohto said the team had more effort in this game than in previous losses.

“I’m proud of the guys,” Pohto said. “We’ve been working really hard, and we’re going to win the next games coming up.”

On his weekly radio show on Monday, Mills said the team had a meeting on Monday to air out frustrations after a three-game losing streak.

“It was just an honest conversation I think we needed to have, especially with the conference tournament right around the corner,” junior guard Xavier Bell said. “Just making sure we’re on the same page to go out there and give it our best shot.”

Men’s basketball returns to Charles Koch Arena on Sunday, Feb. 25, to take on Temple. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Shocker Sports Roundup: What you missed over the weekend

BY OWEN PROTHO owenprothro@gmail.com

WOMEN’S TENNIS

The women’s tennis team traveled to Texas and won 4-0 against UT-Arlington on Thursday, Feb. 15, but lost on Friday to SMU by the same score.

On Sunday, Feb. 18, the Shockers played against Fordham at home and won, 6-1. Against UT-Arlington, the Shockers won the point in doubles play with a 6-3 win on court one and a 6-2 win on court three.

In singles play, freshman Giorgia Roselli won her match on court six in two sets, and redshirt senior Natsumi Kurahashi was victorious in two sets on court one. On court five, sophomore Theodora Chantava secured the win for the Shockers in two sets.

The Shockers found a polar-opposite result against SMU, conceding the point in doubles. Wichita State was swept in singles play as they lost on courts three, four and six.

Traveling back home to compete against Fordham, the

Shockers found success early, winning the doubles point with wins on courts one and three. The momentum continued in singles play as the Shockers won on courts two through six.

The Shockers are now 6-4 this season.

The women’s team will play at home in the Coleman Tennis Complex against Abilene Christian on Friday, March 8, at 1 p.m.

MEN’S TENNIS

The men’s tennis lost its home matches on Friday against New Mexico, 4-3, and Sunday against The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), 4-2. The Shockers are now 2-6 this season.

In doubles play against New Mexico, the Shockers lost the point in matches on courts one and two. In singles, graduate students Misha Kvantaliani and Marcelo Sepulveda won their matches by the scores of 6-4, 6-3 and 7-5, 6-4 on courts three and four, while sophomore Luke

Bracks won on court five. Against UTSA, Wichita State lost in doubles play on courts one and two, 6-3 and 6-2. During singles, the Shockers won early on courts two and three but dropped the remaining three matches on courts four, five and six. The team’s next meet is on the road at Drake on Friday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m.

TRACK AND FIELD

On Friday, the track and field team competed in the Arkansas Qualifier at the University of

Arkansas. Junior Brady Palen took a third-place finish in the high jump at 2.10m/6’10.75”.

Junior Chidera Okoro finished the triple-jump event in fifth place with a personal best of 12.21m/40’0.75”. In the finals of the 60-meter hurdles, freshman Miya Evans finished in 6th place.

With the indoor regular season concluded, track and field’s next meet is at the American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Alabama. The tournament is set to take place Friday, Feb. 23, and Saturday, Feb. 24.

Softball goes 1-2 in Puerto Vallarta Challenge

BY OWEN PROTHO owenprothro@gmail.com

Wichita State’s softball team took on some of the best teams in the nation in Mexico from Wednesday, Feb. 14 to Friday, Feb. 16, in the Puerto Vallarta Challenge. The Shockers went 1-2 during the event.

Wichita State is now 3-2 overall this season.

WEDNESDAY

The Shockers began the event by playing a doubleheader against No. 8 Clemson and No. 25 Auburn on Feb. 14.

Wichita State played Clemson in game one and got shut out in a 7-0 loss.

Junior Alison Cooper started on the mound and pitched a complete game for the Shockers. Cooper gave up seven runs off of nine hits and punched in one strikeout during the game.

The offense could not get the ball rolling as they left eight players on base, with seven hits and a base on balls in the scoreless outing.

The Shockers nearly etched their name in the win column in game two but lost against Auburn in extra innings, 8-2.

Senior Lauren Howell got the start for the Shockers. She gave up two runs and clocked six strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

Sophomore Alex Aguilar and freshman Chloe Barber came in Howell’s relief and gave up six combined runs for the remaining 3.2 innings.

Trailing by five runs in the bottom of the seventh and final inning with two outs, redshirt senior Bailey Urban hit a grand slam to bring the deficit back to one run.

Redshirt senior Lainee Brown reached first base due to a fielding error. Freshman Avery Barnard pinch ran for Brown and advanced home after a wild pitch to complete the comeback for the Shockers, 6-6. In extra innings, Wichita State went down by two runs. When it was their turn at the plate, the Shockers went three-up, threedown and lost by two.

THURSDAY

On day two, the Shockers won its game against No. 20 South Carolina, 6-5. Wichita State needed more fireworks in the final inning to complete its win.

Trailing by three in the top of the seventh, senior Addison Barnard hit a two-RBI single to center field to close the gap to one run, 4-5.

Urban drove in the winning runs with a double to make the score 6-5. Barber earned her first save of the season as she gave up four runs and struck out eight batters in four innings. Barber struck out the side in the seventh inning to give the Shockers the win.

Wichita State’s game against the University of California, Davis on the final day was canceled due to rain.

As the softball team travels back from Mexico, they will continue their season in the Razorback Challenge from Friday, Feb. 23 to Sunday, Feb. 25. The event will be in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Alex Aguilar pitches during the first game of the fall season against McLennan Community College. | Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

Illustration by Preston Caylor / The Sunflower

Senior basketball player looks to utilize her year of eligibility following graduation

BY LYDIA STEEBY steebylk@gmail.com

Sports have played an important role in Jeniah Thompson’s college career and throughout her life.

“My siblings used to play sports when I was younger,” Thompson said. “Sports have always just been big in my family. All my cousins play as well. So I’ve been playing sports since I was like, 3, 4 or 5.”

Participating in athletics throughout high school and college also helped her discover her love for traveling. As a Shocker, she has been able to travel throughout the country and expand her worldview.

Thompson, a senior guard on the Wichita State women’s basketball team, is graduating this May with a degree in business

“

I came on a visit out here, and the area felt like how my home felt, and I had a good connection with the coaching staff.

JENIAH THOMPSON Senior women’s basketball player

management. Thompson has been a student at WSU for two years.

Before coming to Wichita State, she went to Southern Illinois and John A. Logan College. Thompson came to Wichita State in 2022 to further pursue basketball and her degree.

“I came on a visit out here, and the area felt like how my home felt, and I had a good connection with the coaching staff,”

Thompson said. After moving to Wichita State, basketball allowed Thompson to continue traveling.

“I was never a big traveler as far as riding on planes and stuff before I got to WSU,” Thompson said. “I feel like that’s really going to be one of the biggest things that I miss as far as being a student-athlete.”

Beyond discovering a love for travel, transferring from a junior college to Wichita State helped Thompson accomplish her athletic goals.

“The two biggest things that I wanted to do when transferring from JUCO to D1 was work on my shape and my 3-point shot, and I feel like I’ve increased both of those,” Thompson said.

Thompson said that basketball is about more than just athletic ability; it’s also about willpower,

dedication and determination. “Basketball is more of a mental game, and then your skills just help you take your mental game to another level,” Thompson said.

Thompson nabbed 13% of the available rebounds while on the court this year, good for third on the team. She believes this skill comes down to her mind too.

“To me, rebounding is more of a want to,” Thompson said. “So just really just being determined and having the mindset of, ‘I’m going to get every ball.’”

With a year of eligibility left and her looming graduation, Thompson said she wants to pursue a master’s in business management to give studentathletes like her a future.

“I want to open my own rec center and host AU tournaments and things of that nature,” Thompson said.

DJ McCarty’s career night aides in women’s basketball victory over Tulsa

BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com

Senior guard DJ McCarty had the best performance of her career and led the Wichita State women’s basketball team to victory against Tulsa on Saturday, 74-65.

The Shockers are now 8-18 this season and 4-10 in the American Athletic Conference. Tulsa is 8-5 in the AAC.

McCarty has been battling injuries all season, but delivered a career-high performance with 26 points, five assists and two steals. McCarty said she had a “chip on my shoulder.”

“It’s also coming down to me having confidence in myself,” McCarty said. “I haven’t been playing as much as I wanted to, I’ve been hindered by injury.”

The first half was backand-forth but ended with a buzzer-beating jump shot from the Golden Hurricane’s Delanie Crawford to send the Shockers into the locker room down by two, 36-34.

McCarty did not back down going into the third quarter, scoring a pair of 3-pointers to tie the game twice, 40-40 and 50-50. Before this game, she had not made a shot from beyond the arc since Dec. 16.

Tulsa closed out the third with a three-pointer from Katia Gallegos to take a three-point lead, 53-50. The game had nine lead changes and 15 ties before the last quarter.

The fourth quarter saw a different game than the tight first three quarters, with the Golden Hurricane taking a six-point lead off a 3-pointer from Crawford, 56-50.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, a layup by sophomore forward Daniela Abies and a pair of free throws from McCarty put the Shockers on top, 61-59.

With three consecutive turnovers from the Golden Hurricane, the Shockers were able to create an 11-2 run to close out the game.

Abies achieved her eighth double-double of the season with 19 points and 13 rebounds and senior forward Sierra Murrow added 11 points as well.

Wichita State out-rebounded Tulsa 43-37 and held American Athletic Conference leading scorer Temira Poindexter, who averages nearly 20 points, to 14 points.

McCarty said going forward, she hopes to build off the career high and play her part on the team.

“If it comes with scoring or defense or wherever it goes, you need to do it just building on it,” McCarty said.

Up next, Wichita State will travel to North Carolina to face off against Charlotte on Saturday, Feb 24. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com

In the Charles Koch Arena practice gym, the Wichita State women’s basketball team gathered around to hear some words of advice from Sen. Roger Marshall. Marshall said he has played basketball since he was 5 years old and knew firsthand the life experiences that sports teach.

“I loved playing basketball growing up and just to share some of those experiences,”

Marshall said. “I kind of got a feel for what they’re going through as well, and I just wanted to share an encouraging word with them.”

He told the team that sports teaches many life lessons such as learning how to get through adversity.

“I tried to share that sports teaches us so many lessons of life … just the pressures of something as simple as shooting a free throw with one second left and your teams down by one,” Marshall said.

Marshall shared his life’s philosophy, the “three-legged stool,” which refers to being physically prepared, mentally prepared and spiritually right. He said that growing up in Kansas, he played in grade school all the way through to high school. Head coach Terry Nooner said he wants to introduce his players to people from all different walks of life.

“(I) just to expose them to people that do a bunch of different things because they

need to be exposed to that stuff once they get out of the athletic bubble of being a basketball player,” Nooner said. Nooner said that most of the things Marshall said are things that the coaching staff says to the team. “Just hearing it from a different person who is not around all the time,” Nooner said. “He’s from a different demographic than me and my staff and my coaches … just to hear from a U.S. senator is great.

Jeniah Thompson dribbles the ball down court during the third quarter. The senior guard from Illinois scored eight rebounds during the Nov. 20 match. |

Photos by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

DJ McCarty screams after defending the ball in the fourth quarter in the Nov. 20 game against Omaha.

| Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

Sen. Roger Marshall visits Wichita State women’s basketball team and gives words of advice

Sen. Roger Marshall shakes hands with Shocker women’s basketball player Jeniah Thompson while visiting the team on Feb. 19. Marshall shared his experience with basketball and praised the players for their commitment to the sport. |

Photo by Allison Campbell / The Sunflower

Keep your ‘abolitionist’ rallies off my campus Let me go to class without being shown horrific pictures

Sascha Harvey opinion@thesunflower.com OPINION

note that some aspects of the story below could be triggering.

Every few months, abortion “abolitionists” find their way back into Wichita. Folks from groups like Free the States and Abolitionists Rising crowded the Wichita State campus and downtown Wichita in March 2023, marching with graphic photos of stillborn babies. Now, they’re back, right here at the RSC.

Both groups identify as abolitionist movements, calling for the immediate criminalization of abortion. You won’t hear them say that, though. Instead of abortion, Free the States uses the terms “murder” and “child sacrifice” alongside Biblical theology to convey its message. Last March, the group was in town for a convention called “Bleeding Kansas.”

Sound familiar? If you’ve taken any American history classes, it should. Bleeding Kansas was a period of guerrilla warfare between slavery and anti-slavery forces in the 1850s. An important precursor to the Civil War, Bleeding Kansas led to around 55 people dying between 1855 and 1859.

Free the States, often using signage from Abolitionists Rising, uses similar vocabulary and patriotic imagery to tie the current situation of abortion in Kansas to the original Bleeding Kansas.

“College campuses are places where you really need to go to try to change people’s minds and hearts,” Russell Hunter, executive director at Free the States, told a Sunflower reporter in March 2023. Nicholas Heald from Abolitionists Rising came to preach the gospel

“Lisa Frankenstein” is the perfect Valentine’s Day movie for the hopeless romantic who wishes to be swept off their feet by a rich man — or the corpse of one.

The 2024 movie is a modern reimagining of “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley. Instead of a mad scientist and his monster, the movie focuses on Lisa, a teenage outcast with a crush on the statue of a dead man at the graveyard.

“Lisa Frankenstein” follows Lisa as she settles into a new town after her mother was murdered and her father remarried. And, oh, she accidentally brought a

this Tuesday, touting similar beliefs and graphic signs.

College campuses are an incredible place to capture the attention of large groups of people from different backgrounds and walks of life. But the abolitionist groups use what could be a great learning opportunity to show students horrific photos accompanied by language that closes off any actual conversation. With their logic, how in any right mind are you going to be able to defend what is murder?

At the end of the day, we’re here to learn, whether that be through our classes or lively conversations with others, but the imagery behind Free the States is not conducive to learning in any way. If anything, it can be triggering to those who have gotten abortions for whatever reason or even those who have suffered from difficult or traumatic pregnancies.

Anyone who changes their opinion on abortion after seeing these gatherings is not going to have a solid understanding of abortion and why people choose to get it, which is important foundational knowledge whether they consider themselves pro-life or pro-choice. This is especially crucial in a state with such a complex history of abortion.

I understand why those who are anti-abortion are so passionate about proselytizing others into the movement. If you saw someone being murdered, you would be upset, too. There is such a fundamental difference in the definition of “life” and “murder” that it’s genuinely difficult to have constructive conversations between “pro-life” and “pro-choice” groups.

Free the States starts discussions by using horrific medical images to generate shock value. Nearly every sign is plastered with an incredibly graphic image of an alleged aborted fetus or babies at different stages of

dead man to life.

Lisa struggles with romance, an awful stepmother, a perfect step-sister and how to keep The Creature a secret with a trail of murder behind her. On top of that, she’s alternative and awkward, which makes her an outsider to her peers.

The movie stars Kathryn Newton as Lisa and Cole Sprouse as The Creature. If “Lisa Frankenstein” was made in the late 80s, I’m sure that we would have seen Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp in the lead roles.

It’s very reminiscent of the campy 80s romance/horror movies like “Heathers” or something made by Tim Burton, but with a modern interpretation and production quality that blows those movies out of the water.

development. These are horrible in their own right, but this purposeful selection leaves out essential factors within the abortion debate. The fetus should not always be the center of the conversation.

How would the conversation change if Abolitionists Rising used images of a child carrying the baby of her rapist? What if Free the States used a photo of a woman on her deathbed due to a terminal pregnancy case, cases where abortion is often permitted, even in states where abortion access is restricted?

According to the abolitionist groups, both of these all too common instances should be denied abortions. In their very own words: “No exceptions.” It’s a lot easier to say no to abortion when you’re looking at the face of a baby versus when you see the baby 10 years down the line, pregnant with a baby of her own. The images used purposefully avoid a large part of what makes the abortion debate so multifaceted and complex.

The pictures are juxtaposed with abolitionist language that is used to create a connection between slavery and abortion. Because no one is pro-slavery, right? How could you be pro-abortion or pro-“murder”?

I find it wildly disrespectful to make such a direct comparison between the two. Under the institution of slavery, more than 15 million people were victims of the transatlantic slave trade from 1500 onward.

Just because slavery was outlawed in the U.S. doesn’t mean that the effects of slavery aren’t still felt throughout the country, not only psychologically but through generational wealth. In a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, more than 80% of African American adults say that slavery still affects them today, with 59% saying that the legacy of slavery

The fashion in the movie was incredible. Through outfits, it explores different high school stereotypes while focusing on the alternative scene using color and styling to bring out the differences in characters.

Initially, I was worried about Spouse’s appearance in the movie because I haven’t been able to take him seriously after “Riverdale,” but he had a good performance in the movie — partially because he was dead and unable to speak. He should stick to this motif in further roles.

Zombies and similar creatures are not a staple of the romance genre, for good reason. Other monsters like vampires and werewolves have the benefit of being close to humanity, but partially above it — super-human.

abortions.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, the reason behind the high abortion rate is embedded in systemic racism and blocks women of color have in regards to accessing health care: “The truth is that behind virtually every abortion is an unintended pregnancy. This applies to all women—black, white, Hispanic, Asian and Native American alike. Not surprisingly, the variation in abortion rates across racial and ethnic groups relates directly to the variation in the unintended pregnancy rates across those same groups.”

It’s not a case of killing Black babies, as the sign from Free the States can lead people to believe.

Those monsters are easier for an audience to connect to because of the perceived mystery and power dynamics at play. In almost every instance zombies are the opposite of romantic — decomposition, worms, lack of motor abilities and a stench of death are not sexy. But this movie does a good job of developing The Creature’s humanity throughout the movie, much like the work it was based on.

It helps that the movie doesn’t directly focus on The Creature because Lisa has a crush on another guy in the school, making a “perfect” love triangle that deviates from a linear romance movie.

The Creature is as close to the hypothetical of bringing a

completely irresponsible.

Using the foundation of slavery abolitionists as a cultural reference to make a case for criminalizing abortion is incredibly tone-deaf and disrespectful to both people of color and those who have received abortions. Comparing people having abortions to slave owners is out of touch and an insane platform to build your anti-abortion case on, and definitely not a tactic that invites real and intelligent discussion and learning.

Either way, Wichita State should be free from Free the States. There is no justifiable reason for such graphic and out-of-context images to be broadly displayed on a college campus. No exceptions.

Victorian child to the modern day, but he’s a whole adult man. His character, who spends most of the film hiding from Lisa’s family while he bumbles around, benefits from an air of innocence and wisdom that captures the internal struggle of a man stuck in time.

The movie explores themes of isolation, humanity and romance through a lens of comedy to the audience. If you take the movie too seriously, you may not enjoy it, so just go to the theater hoping for a good time.

“Lisa Frankenstein” is an offbeat comedy that I would suggest to anyone longing for the aesthetic of 80s campy comedies with a modern spin or for someone who wants a fresh view of Cole Sprouse.

Free the States, an anti-abortion group, marched in downtown Wichita on March 2, 2023. The march was a part of a series of weeklong events. | Photo by Mia Hennen / The Sunflower

Anti-abortion signs line the construction fence of the soon-to-be Shocker Success Center at Wichita State on March 3, 2023. One sign reads “In America today almost as many Black children are aborted as are born.” | Photo by Emmie Boese / The Sunflower

PRINT PERFECT

The Ulrich taught guests the printmaking process on Valentine’s Day as part of its Makers & Masterpieces event series to ‘celebrate love and creativity’.

Nas Kitchen brings halal NYC eats to Wichita

Fatima Touffaha fatimatouffaha7@gmail.com

Throughout my frequent travels to the Middle East, I have always gravitated towards authentic Mediterranean and New York City street food. I struggled to find a substitute for this in Wichita — until I visited Nas Kitchen.

Nas Kitchen is a small, local spot on the west side of Wichita. It offers a variety of highquality, halal eats such as gyros, quesadillas, platters and salads. Most entrees and appetizers are served with their signature housemade sauce. The restaurant’s interior was on theme with New York skyline wallpaper and exposed brick walls. The seating was spacious and comfortable, despite the smaller space. Since to-go options and quick eats are popular, there is not usually an issue with seating availability.

One of the restaurant’s most popular items is the Yum Platter. These are offered with five protein options, including grilled chicken, fried chicken, steak, Cajun shrimp and lamb. The platter prices range from $12.89 to $16.99 depending on protein choice. All the platters are topped with beef bacon, avocado, signature sauces, and served on a base of fries.

When I visited Nas Kitchen, I tried the Yum Platter in both the steak and chicken variations, along with the onion rings. The onion rings were a great start to the meal. The appetizer was well battered and served with a house-made ranch and signature sauce that complimented it perfectly.

The Yum Platters are a substantial serving size with a perfect ratio of fries to protein. Both the chicken and the steak were well-seasoned and flavorful, but I personally enjoyed the steak more.

The base of the platter consisted of well-salted fries, which created a perfect combo with the signature sauces drizzled on top. The toppings helped balance out the dish, with avocado to add freshness and beef bacon for a crispy texture.

Nas Kitchen is a wonderful addition to the Wichita area, and should be your next new try for authentic, flavorful eats.

Niki Noland prints a drawing on Feb. 14 at the Makers & Masterpieces event. The free event took place at the Ulrich Museum of Art and taught attendees the printmaking process.

| Photos by Bryan Chavez / The Sunflower

Megan Matzke views art on display at the Ulrich Museum of Art. The exhibit features Hank Willis Thomas’ painting series titled “I Am a Man.”

Marco Hernandez draws on a piece of paper as part of the printmaking process, which was taught to guests at the event. Javian Osterhout paints

Ashey Sheler paints a vase provided by the Ulrich during the event. A printmaking tutorial and snacks were also offered to attendees.

GET YOUR GREEK ON

Fraternities and sororities strolled, stepped and hopped over to the CAC Theater to compete for first place in Battle of the Greeks.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ENTREPRENEUR IN-RESIDENCE

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

THURSDAY, FEB. 22

9:30 a.m. - Noon | Woolsey Hall

PEE FOR PIZZA

THURSDAY, FEB. 22

Noon - 4 p.m. | Steve Clark YMCA & Student Wellness Center

PUSHING THROUGH PERFECTIONISM MINI-SERIES

THURSDAY, FEB. 22

2 - 3 p.m. | Ablah Library

HEALING FROM TRAUMA SUPPORT GROUP

THURSDAY, FEB. 22

3 - 4 p.m. | Steve Clark YMCA & Student Wellness Center

ULRICH + ADCI PRESENT

CLAYTON STAPLES SPEAKER

DAVID J. GETSY: SCOTT BURTON AND QUEER

BEHAVIOR

THURSDAY, FEB. 22

5:30 - 7 p.m. | Ulrich Museum

CLAYTON STAPLES SPEAKER: DAVID GETSY

THURSDAY, FEB. 22

6 - 8 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

BLACK HISTORY BRUNCH

FRIDAY, FEB. 23

10 a.m. - Noon | Rhatigan Student Center

ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH LUNCH & LEARN: INTRODUCTION TO COPYRIGHT

FRIDAY, FEB. 23

Noon - 1 p.m. | Ablah Library

SEXUAL HEALTH, ADVOCACY, RESOURCES AND EDUCATION: SEX IN THE DARK

FRIDAY, FEB. 23

5 - 6:30 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BOWLING NIGHT

FRIDAY, FEB. 23

6 - 9 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

WICHITA STATE ENGINEERING 5K RUN/WALK

SATURDAY, FEB. 24

8 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. | John Bardo Center

ART THAT TOUCHES YOUR HEART

SATURDAY, FEB. 24

6 - 10 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

MONDAY MELODIES

MONDAY, FEB. 26

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

PREMEDICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER: SERVING AUTHENTIC INDIAN FOOD

MONDAY, FEB. 26

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, North Patio

SAVVY SCHOLAR WORKSHOP: GAIN STRATEGIC RESEARCH SKILLS

TUESDAY, FEB. 27 3 - 4 p.m. | Ablah Library

NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE INFO SESSION TUESDAY, FEB. 27

4 - 4:30 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

LITERARY FEAST: ‘MARTYR!’ BY KAVEH AKBAR

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28 6 - 7:30 p.m. | KMUW

HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED?

CONTACT THE ARTS EDITOR: arts@thesunflower.com

CONTACT THE NEWS EDITOR: news@thesunflower.com

Aaron Neal, member of Omega Psi Phi, does the splits during the fraternity’s stroll on Feb. 17. Neal is a junior at Wichita State, studying kinesiology and exercise science. | Photos by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

Aaron Haynes, an Alpha Phi Alpha member, strolls on Feb. 17. Haynes studies forensic science at Wichita State.

A member of Alpha Phi Alpha runs across the stage with a prop during Battle of the Greeks. The event was hosted in the CAC Theater as a way to support the historically Black fraternities and sororities on campus.

The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority strolls in a line during the Feb. 17 Battle of the Greeks. The National Pan-Hellenic Council hosted the event for several historically Black fraternities and sororities.

A member of Delta Sigma Theta strolls during the Battle of the Greeks event.

A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity strolls.

Dacaria Harris and other members of the Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority hug alumnae after receiving their first place trophy at the Battle of the Greeks event.

Dacaria Harris and Ja’Nae McKelvy, members of the Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority stroll before the event winners were announced.

Members of the Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority pose with their alumnae after winning first in the Battle of the Greeks on Feb. 17.