Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement
WSUFAE's mission is to elevate, celebrate and advance Wichita State University through
engagement and philanthropy. Drawing from the rich histories of the WSU Foundation
and WSU Alumni Association (1913-2022), the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement united
operations in 2022 to better connect our many stakeholders to WSU and Shocker Nation.
Wichita State University is proud to announce a transformative $1 million gift from
an anonymous 1958 graduate of the University of Wichita to support need-based scholarships
in the W. Frank Barton School of Business.
This gift will directly benefit students who face financial challenges — particularly
first-generation students — who make up nearly half of Wichita State’s enrollment.
On average, first-generation students receive less financial support from their families
and are more likely to rely on private loans to fund their education. Currently, 46%
of Wichita State’s undergraduate student population are first-generation college students,
highlighting the importance of private financial support.
“Ensuring access and affordability is a promise to our students,” said WSU President
Rick Muma. “This gift, alongside the generosity of countless alumni and donors, is
a profound reminder that our students’ success goes further with the support of Shocker
Nation behind them.”
Private support is critical to realizing Wichita State’s priority to make education
accessible and affordable for all Kansans and helps bridge the gap between available
public funding and the financial need of students, which averages about $5,600 per
undergraduate student.
“In connecting with this individual, the passion to support students who are seeking
pathways for stability and opportunity was clear,” said Telly McGaha, president and
CEO of the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement. “When higher education becomes financially
out of reach, talented individuals are inadvertently shut out, and I am very grateful
for the individuals in the Shocker community opening doors and expanding opportunity
for students now and into the future.”
Daily, students share stories of how scholarship support has facilitated their educational
ambitions. These life-changing gifts ease the financial pressures of higher education,
freeing students to focus on their studies and get engaged on campus. For many students,
that support is the difference between finishing their degree and dropping out.
Scholarships based on financial need are awarded using a formula that compares a student’s
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to the cost of attendance at Wichita State. If
the EFC is less than the total cost, the student qualifies for need-based aid.
“Our goal is to prepare students for a business world that values vision, collaboration
and innovative problem-solving,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School
of Business. “By easing financial burdens through scholarships, we empower students
to fully engage in transformative experiences that build confidence and critical skills
for success beyond their time at Wichita State. We are deeply grateful for this generous
gift that will provide many opportunities for Barton School students.”
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling
more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences
and Technology (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- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 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.
About Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement
As Wichita State University continues to grow, need-based aid is vital to ensuring
higher education is affordable and accessible to Kansas families. Kansas currently
ranks as one of the lowest in the Midwest for awarding financial aid to families in
need, but Wichita State has made it a priority to remedy that. In Academic Year 2025,
the Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement helped secure $10.2 million in
private support in addition to the $20 million allocated from university sources.
