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Family Weekend - Schedule of Events

2026 SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

Check-in at Wu's Birthday Bash
4:30 – 7 p.m. | Braeburn Square
Registered families can check-in at the event and will receive a custom Family Weekend shopping tote. Dinner is included with registration, and families will receive a dinner voucher to be used at participating restaurants. Additional games and activities will be on-site in celebration of WSU's very own Wu Shock!

Shocker Volleyball v. Tulsa
6 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
Free Admission with wristband received at registration. Families enter Koch Arena through the ticket box office and present your wristband to the staff. Learn more.

Magician Jack Kelly
8 p.m. | CAC Theater
Jack Kelly is a nationally recognized magician who has been featured on The CW, NBC, FOX, and Kiss 95.1. Jack appeared on the hit primetime show Penn and Teller: Fool Us, where he won season 11 by fooling the legendary magic duo, becoming one of the youngest in series history to achieve this feat. Your family weekend wristband gets you and yor family members free access to this amazing event. Learn more. 

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

Check-in & Information Center
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Rhatigan Student Center – Information Desk
Need to check-in or have questions about an upcoming Family Weekend activity? Stop by the RSC Info desk for help.

Parent & Family Meeting
9 - 10 a.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, Room 233
Free Admission
Not sure what resources are available to your student? Want to learn how to get connected? Stop by the Parent and Family Meeting for information on how WSU Serves Your Shocker! The meeting is hosted by Alicia Newell, Assistant Vice President for Retention & Assessment.

 

Brunch at Shocker Hall Dining
10 a.m. - Noon | Shocker Hall Cafeteria
Breakfast is included in registration and includes a special menu designed for our Family Weekend guests.

Bowling & Billiards Free Play
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center, Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes
Free Admission to Registered Families
Grab a game of bowling or billiards in the Rhatigan Student Center. Game play is free to registered guests of Family Weekend. Shoe rental fees may apply.

ACADEMIC AND DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSES

Saturday, Oct. 3 | Various Locations & Times

College of Engineering Open House

Saturday, Oct. 3 | Noon - 2 p.m.
John Bardo Center

Students and families are invited to explore the College of Engineering! Tour the John Bardo Center and its labs with Engineering Student Ambassadors, connect with faculty, staff and students, and get an inside look at the people, spaces and experiences that make up the College of Engineering. Light refreshments will be provided.

Student Health Services Open House

Saturday, Oct. 3 | 1 - 3 p.m.
Steve Clark YMCA

Honoring 100 Years of Student Health at Wichita State. Since 1926, Student Health Services has evolved alongside Wichita State, providing generations of students with access to healthcare, health promotion, resources and support throughout their academic journeys. As the department marks its 100th anniversary, the campus and community are invited to reflect on a century of impact, learn about all the services offered to Shockers on campus, and celebrate the future of student well-being.

Join us during Shocktoberfest for a 100th anniversary open house at the Student Wellness Center (Steve Clark YMCA) from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, and then look for us in the parade at 4 p.m.! In your free time, explore a special historical archive exhibit on display in the Rhatigan Student Center's Cadman Art Gallery from Sept. 24 through Oct. 13.

Honors Induction Ceremony

Saturday, Oct. 3 | 1 p.m.
Wiedemann Hall

Cost: Free to Honors College Students + Families

First-year Cohen Honors students and their guests are invited to Honors Induction. This cherished tradition formally welcomes students into the honors community and includes an annual book dedication by the dean of the college to the incoming class.

The dress is casual or business casual with Shocker colors encouraged. RSVP coming soon.

Honors College Open House

Saturday, Oct. 3 | 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Honors College - Shocker Hall Building A

Cost: Free to Honors College Students + Families

All Cohen Honors College Families are invited to the Honors College Open House. Enjoy light refreshments, and conversations with our faculty and staff.

Honors Induction RSVP

President's Garden Tour
1-3 p.m. | The President's Residence
Join us at the residence of President Richard Muma and First Gentleman Rick Case for light refreshments and a self-guided walking tour of the properties gardens. Enjoy walking on the grounds of this home built in 1939. The front lawns have been the site of many university outdoor events throughout the years. The president and first gentleman enjoy gardening and hosting visitors in the beautiful, landscaped areas around the residence. 

Shocktoberfest Parade

Saturday, Oct. 3 | 4 p.m.
Wichita State University Campus

Cost: Free

Everyone is invited to attend the 2026 Shocktoberfest Parade, the highlight of the weeklong celebration of Shocker spirit and pride. Participants will enjoy entertainment from the Shocker Sound Machine marching band, dance teams, and decorated cars and floats from student groups and community members. 

For the best parade experience, grab a spot along Innovation Blvd, Mike Oatman Dr., or Perimeter Rd. These locations offer great views and are easily accessible.

Learn more about the parade

SHOCKER MADNESS

Shocker Madness (Men's and Women's basketball exhibition)

Saturday, Oct. 3 | 6:30 p.m.
Charles Koch Arena

Cost: Admission is free.

Shocker Madness will include performances from the Shocker Sound Machine and WSU Spirit Squads, announcements of this year's Shocktoberfest spirit awards and Shocker Royalty winners, introductions of the basketball teams, a three-point contest, a newly introduced knockout competition, and basketball team scrimmages.

Also new to this year's event are opportunities for randomly-selected fans to participate in various Shocker Madness events. Opportunities include competing in the three-point contest, participating in the knockout competition, and serving as honorary coaches during the scrimmage portion of the event. Instructions for how to enter to be selected for these opportunities will be provided at the event.

Additionally, the men's and women's basketball teams will sign autographs for fans from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the concourse outside section 125 near the Champions Club. 

Doors to Charles Koch Arena open at 5:30 P.M. for the free event and parking is free on a first-come, first-serve basis.

No tickets are required to attend. All fans should enter through the main entrance located at the southwest side of the arena -- no other entrances will be open. Wichita State University students are encouraged to check in with Student Affairs inside the main entrance by scanning their WSU ID. General admission seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis as arena occupancy allows. Select seating sections within the arena will be reserved for Wichita State University students (sections 117 & 118), Shocker student-athletes, and university personnel.

The clear-bag policy and all other regular arena policies will be enforced for those entering Charles Koch Arena. Opengate walk-through metal detectors will also be utilized for security purposes.

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