The previously scheduled Barton Speaker Series event at Wichita State featuring Ben Stein has been canceled. Stein informed the university last week of his need to cancel due to personal circumstances. 

Stein, an economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author, was set to headline the speaker series and appear in on-campus events March 11. 

Tickets to the event were free. 

“We wish Ben well and hope there may be an opportunity to collaborate in the future,” says WSU President Rick Muma. 

Stay tuned later this year to wichita.edu/bartonseries for news of the 2026 Barton series speaker.

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 National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.

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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