Lynn and Sherry Nichols have given a lead gift of $1 million to Wichita State University to kick off the fundraising campaign for the new, state-of-the-art Shocker Fly Lab, an enclosed flight space to research, design and test unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that will position the university at the forefront of unmanned aerial system (UAS) education and development.

“This project is something Sherry and I were interested in supporting from the moment we heard about it,” said Lynn Nichols, retired chairman and CEO of Yingling Aviation, a full-service aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company based in Wichita. “We have watched first-hand as the aerospace industry has grown and shifted with new technologies, and this project will ensure Wichita State students are receiving a future-focused aerospace education.”

This $12.75 million project will be completed in two phases, the first of which will consist of a net-enclosed open-air facility measuring approximately 100 feet by 200 feet with a steel structure 30-35 feet high. This $4.3 million phase will incorporate a small, covered entry canopy for shelter from the elements, as well as outdoor landscaping for spectators to observe testing and competition.

“The Shocker Fly Lab will be a game-changer for Wichita State, providing a dynamic space where students, faculty and industry partners can come together to push the boundaries of drone technology,” said Wichita State President Rick Muma. “This facility will fuel cutting-edge research and applied learning and drive real-world innovation in aerospace and autonomous systems. Thanks to the generosity of Lynn and Sherry Nichols, we’re creating a hub where ideas can quite literally take flight.”

Strategically positioned on the Innovation Campus near the Hub for Advanced Materials Research and the John Bardo Center, the lab will foster collaboration and innovation between students, faculty and Innovation Campus partners, along with the National Institute for Aviation Research, to develop, test and refine advanced drone systems in a real-world environment. This will complement the cutting-edge work happening in the Project Innovation Hub at the John Bardo Center to leverage the capabilities of a new supercomputer under construction.

“Lynn and Sherry had the vision to recognize the impact this facility will have, and I deeply appreciate their leadership and collaboration in designing a space that will expand opportunities for academics, research and hands-on learning,” said Dr. Anthony Muscat, dean of the College of Engineering at Wichita State. “This enclosed flight-testing facility will serve as a hub for innovation in fields such as aerospace engineering, computer science, robotics and environmental monitoring — supporting applications ranging from precision agriculture and infrastructure inspection to disaster response and autonomous navigation.”

Phase 2 of the Shocker Fly Lab has a projected cost of $8.45 million and will enclose the Phase 1 structure with curtain wall glass and a standing seam roof to provide a temperature-controlled environment for year-round usage. Restrooms, support rooms and a screened mechanical enclosure will also be added.

The project — which does not have a set timeline yet — will be fully funded through private gifts, and the $12.75 million projected cost includes funding for an endowed director position, maintenance and applied learning support for students.

“We are deeply grateful for Lynn and Sherry’s support in making the lead gift for this project,” said Telly McGaha, president and CEO of the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement. “They have given generously of both their time and resources to advance Wichita State throughout the years, and their support of this project will create opportunities for students for generations to come.”

In addition to providing applied learning experiences for College of Engineering students and others, the Shocker Fly Lab will support industry-sponsored student competitions and faculty research in drone technology, including aerodynamics, control systems and sensor integration. The application of this research will go beyond improving UAVs and will advance development of autonomous systems used in real-world problem-solving, including satellites.

Collaboration with WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), which offers degree and certificate programs in UASs, will enhance the university’s ability to offer joint research and workforce development programs.

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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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