Shockers everywhere, at events long ago or happenings just the other day, always have something interesting to say. Take this sampling as a Shock Talk example:
“For us as a university, what a thrill!”
— WSU President Donald Beggs, during the Oct. 4 celebration at the Rhatigan Student Center of the successful end to the university’s three-year We are Wichita State fundraising drive, which raised $48 million, a total that well surpassed the campaign goal of $35 million.
“Kansas authors continue to enrich our lives through their work. This festival celebrates the stories, people and places that have left their mark on Kansas history and given residents from all Kansas counties an opportunity to enjoy our state’s rich tradition.”
— Kansas Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson ’80, as quoted in a Sept. 5 news release about the Kansas Book Festival, a two-day literary event held at WSU’s Charles Koch Arena Oct. 5-6. The festival featured readings, panel discussions and book signings by more than 60 authors, including Beverley (Olson) Buller ’86, the author of From Emporia: The Story of William Allen White; Stan Finger ’83, Into the Deep; Craig Miner ’66/67, Next Year Country: Dust to Dust in Western Kansas, 1890-1940; and Susanna Pitzer ’81, the author of Not Afraid of Dogs.
“It’s a work that requires your brain to be 100 percent focused on the music.”
— Julie Bees, WSU professor of piano, as quoted in the Wichita Eagle about her Oct. 2 performance at Wichita State’s Wiedemann Hall of J.S. Bach’s “Goldberg” Variations, an hour-long, 32-part piano solo considered one of the hallmark pieces in piano literature.
Walters’ Pumpkin Patch in Burns, Kan., has taken on a Wichita State theme this fall: The patch’s annual corn maze depicts none other than WuShock. (It may take a second, but you’re sure to recognize him in the photo at left.)
The WuShock maze, which was designed by Precision Mazes, was unveiled Sept. 29. Several Shocker coaches were on hand at the patch to greet maze-goers on Sat., Oct. 6. That day, $1 of every admission taken in was donated to the Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization in support of student-athlete scholarships at WSU. The maze is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., and from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sundays. A “flashlight maze” is open Friday and Saturday nights. In addition to the maze, Walters’ Pumpkin Patch features a haunted cannery (through Oct. 31), country store, haywagon rides, nature walks and pumpkin picking. The patch is located east of El Dorado, Kan., and is easy to find. For directions, admission costs and other information, please visit the patch’s website: walterspumpkinpatch.com.
