Author: Tia Hill

Get ready to show your Shocker pride! Join the Shocktoberfest kick-off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28 on the north patio of the Rhatigan Student Center as WSU launches its annual celebration of Shocker spirit and tradition.

Kick off a week of exciting events and activities taking place Sept. 28 through Oct. 3 with free food, giveaways, entertainment and opportunities to connect with fellow Shockers.

At the kick-off, you can:

• Receive a free Shocktoberfest T-shirt while supplies last
• Grab a walking taco while supplies last
• Check-in and be entered to win a LEGO Hubble Space Telescope and a polaroid camera gift set
• Enjoy a special performance by Shocker cheer
• Take photos with WuShock

Whether you’re a new student or a longtime Shocker, this event is the perfect way to celebrate what it means to be part of the Wichita State community. Don’t miss your chance to kick off Shocktoberfest 2026 and join in a week dedicated to Shocker pride!

Admission is free and giveaways are limited to current students. Come celebrate, connect and show your black and yellow spirit.

View a full list of events and activities at wichita.edu/shocktoberfest.

Departments are invited to participate in the annual Shocktoberfest Door Decorating Competition. Shocktoberfest is WSU’s annual celebration of Shocker Pride and takes place Monday, Sept. 28-Saturday, Oct. 3. Any WSU department may compete by decorating a doorway, wall or entryway to promote Shocktoberfest utilizing this year’s theme “Building on Tradition.”

The winning department receives an office party award for Chartwells catering valued at $100. Decorations are to be completed by Friday, Sept. 25 and remain on display through Monday, Oct. 5. Visit the Door Decorating Competition webpage for complete rules, guidelines and registration.

Here are more ways your department can show your Shocker Pride during Shocktoberfest:

• Hang a Shocktoberfest poster in your department door utilizing the Shocktoberfest toolkit
• Listen to the sounds of Shock Rock led by Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost, and Andrew Schlepp, vice president of strategy and government relations, at the Shocktoberfest Bonfire
• Explore the arts at Shocker Pride. Nationwide. and enjoy free giveaways, food and more
• Enter your department in the Shocktoberfest Parade.

For a full schedule of events and activities during Shocktoberfest, visit wichita.edu/shocktoberfest.

Shocktoberfest, Wichita State’s annual celebration of spirit and pride, is Sept. 28-Oct. 3. During this week, twelve outstanding students represent Shocker Nation on the Shocktoberfest Court, and two are selected to hold the title of Shocker Royalty. These students represent leadership, good character, loyalty to Wichita State and true Shocker Pride. Nominate a Shocker who you feel demonstrate these qualities, or if you are one of these students, submit an application.

Nominees and/or applicants for Shocktoberfest Court should:

• Positively represent Wichita State University
• Play an active role on campus in an organization, group and/or position of leadership
• Promote belonging and Shocker Pride
• Demonstrate academic excellence

Candidate requirements

• Currently enrolled, full-time, degree-seeking students
• 30 or more credit hours completed as of August 2026
• 2.75 GPA or higher
• Good academic and conduct standing with Wichita State

Nominations will close at midnight on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Applications will close on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

• Nominate a student
• Apply for Shocktoberfest Court

For more information on dates, deadlines and court member requirements, visit wichita.edu/royalty.

Ready to put your skills to the test? Join the Student Activities Council at the Challenge Accepted Game Show, starting at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 at the CAC Theater (find directions to the CAC Theater).

This live interactive gameshow is hosted by Joseph Tran and students get to compete in a variety of unexpected challenges for up to $300. Whether you’re competing or watching, every round brings something new.

Admission to the Challenge Accepted Game Show is free for students with Shocker ID. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Challenge Accepted is coordinated by the Student Activities Council. For questions about this event, call 316-978-3022 or email sac@wichita.edu. For more events like this, visit wichita.edu/sac.

The Interfraternity Council is hosting Welcome Week so you can learn more about the six fraternities. Join starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 for house tours and dinner. Stop by any of the events throughout the week to learn more about the values, service, scholarship and events of our fraternities.

Your vote will determine who will serve on the Shocktoberfest Court and ultimately be crowned Shocker Royalty. The twenty candidates were nominated by students, faculty and staff based on their campus leadership, academic excellence and their dedication to Shocker Pride.

The ballot for Shocktoberfest Court will remain open through 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Court members will make appearances at various Shocktoberfest events, including in the parade on Saturday, Oct. 5, and the official crowning of Shocker Royalty will be held at Shocker Madness later that day.

Shocktoberfest, Wichita State’s annual celebration of spirit and pride, is Sept. 30 through Oct. 5. The Shocktoberfest Committee has an outstanding lineup of experiences for individuals and student groups and hope you will be part of this longstanding tradition. New this year is the Shocktoberfest Court and Royalty. The Shocktoberfest Court will consist of 12 students, two from each academic college, who demonstrate leadership and exude Shocker Pride. Court members will be interviewed by a panel of Wichita State faculty and staff and two students will selected to hold the title of Shocker Royalty.

The Shocktoberfest Committee encourages you to nominate students who:

• Positively represent Wichita State University
• Play an active role on-campus in an organization, group and/or position of leadership
• Promote belonging and Shocker Pride
• And demonstrate academic excellence

Nominations will close at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.

The fourth annual NXT LVL Garage Party from 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 17 at the parking garage features music from DJ Carbon, acrobats from Flow Foundry ICT, food from Kung Fu Tea, Elatino Dogos y Hamburguesas, Churros, activities like a rock wall, large format Mario Kart and much more. NXT LVL T-shirts will be given away while supplies last. Admission to the NXT LVL Garage Party is exclusive to Wichita State students and no bags or outside food will be permitted. Clear Bags accepted.

NXT LVL Garage Party is coordinated by Student Engagement & Belonging. For questions, call 316-978-3022 or email seb@wichita.edu. For more events like this, visit wichita.edu/seb.

Take a break from moving and relax under the stars with Student Activities Council’s (SAC) viewing of the movie classic, “Pitch Perfect.” The movie will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 at the Duerksen amphitheater. There will be popcorn, snow cones and a chance to win a few prizes. The event is free and anyone is welcome to attend. In the event of inclement weather the movie will be held in the CAC Theater. Check-in begins at 8:30 p.m. and you will need to bring your Shocker ID. Bring a friend, roommate, yourself and a blanket.

Pitch Perfect is sponsored by SAC. For questions, email sac@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3022.

Make plans to attend the inaugural Shockers Got Talent at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11 in the CAC Theater. Taking the stage are 13 student acts to compete for most talented Shocker. Attendees can experience a variety of performances including singers, pianists, dance groups, rapping and a full band. The judges will select first, second and third place with acts receiving scholarships in the amount of $1000, $800 and $500 respectively.

2024 Shockers Got Talent acts:

• Alex Pollnow singing “Google Translate” by Leanna Firestone
• Don Boyd singing “Above All” by Michael W. Smith
• Kishan Gurung singing “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
• Kuña Paraguay dancing to “Viajando Voy” by Tierra Adentro
• KVERSITY dancing to “Talk Saxy” by Riize
• Mona Martinez singing “Hopelessly Devoted to You” by Olivia Newton-John
• Noah Carter singing “The Best is Yet To Come” by Michael Buble
• Paula performing on piano “I Giorni” by Ludovico Eineaudi
• Rowan Singer singing “Angy” by Psycho Enby
• Sena singing “Jason’s Song” by Ariana Grande
• Skylar Isenegger performing on piano “Snow Angel” by Renee Rapp
• STML performing a Shockers Got Talent freestyle rap
• TALL GLASS OF ROOT BEER performing “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath

Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is at the door. Admission is available at no additional charge to students with Shocker ID, $5 for faculty/staff and children 12 and under, and $8 for general public. Cash, credit, debit and Apple Pay are accepted.

Shockers Got Talent is coordinated by the Traditions Committee of the Student Activities Council. For more information on this event email sac@wichita.edu or call Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership at 316-978-3022.