information for a book about the center's history. Why not send us your
favorite center-related story?
For the past 50 years, Wichita State’s Rhatigan Student Center has served as the heart of campus.
As the venue for food services, the bookstore, meeting areas and recreational facilities, the student center has been and remains a focal point for thousands of Shockers.
The center also houses the Student Activities Council and the phenomenal 14-time national champion Shocker bowling program. As a sign outside the east entrance doors clearly puts it, the RSC is the “Symbol of Student Life and Activity.”
Before the center opened, students used a variety of meeting rooms and a snack bar in the Commons Building for informal gatherings and leisure time. Henrion Gymnasium served as the site for many organizations and university dances.
But by the mid-1940s, it was clear the commons and gym couldn’t meet the space needs of a growing student population, so ground was broken for a new $1.8 million student center in February 1958. The facility, known as the Campus Activities Center, opened the following year and in 1997 was renamed the Rhatigan Student Center in recognition of James J. Rhatigan, the longtime dean of students and vice president for student affairs.
Mike Madecky, RSC activities director, is leading a team in researching the history and collecting stories and photos for a book covering the center's 50 years on campus. The book and accompanying commemorative pieces will be produced in 2009. It would be nearly impossible to be a WSU alum and not have used the center in some memorable way. Madecky and The Shocker want to hear your favorite memory about the center for possible use in the diamond anniversary book.
