Starting in 2024, Juneteenth — a day of remembrance to commemorate the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were notified of their freedom — will be an official holiday at Wichita State University.

In 2021, President Biden recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday; and earlier this year, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced it as a state holiday. Now Wichita State, along with the other Kansas Board of Regents institutions, will close offices and not hold classes each June 19.

“As we celebrate Wichita State's first official Juneteenth holiday in 2024, it’s my hope that we reflect on the significance of this day in our shared history,” says WSU President Rick Muma.

Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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