University History Wall

Since its establishment as Fairmount College in 1895, through its years as
the University of Wichita, Wichita State University has sported a most compelling and unique history — a truly Shocker-esque tale.

Thanks to generous donations from Jon ’83 and Kelly (Edmiston) Callen, Bill ’74 and Shelly Moore and the Branda family, funding given in the memory of Jerry A. Langrehr ’59, David E. Jabara ’77, Susan Jabara Regan ’75 and Mike ’71 and Debbie ’94 Kennedy, this history is now pictorially represented in a history wall set up in the Woodman Alumni Center's Wichita State University Heritage Room. 

Featuring model copies of the three Ionic columns saved from the Carnegie Library/ Morrison Hall building that burned in 1964, the history wall showcases images of university personalities and buildings from the turn of the 20th century right up to photographs of today’s vibrant campus life. Adjacent to the wall is another panel, this one recognizing the contributions of the late Kathlien Edmiston ’33 to her alma mater. A woman of action, Edmiston is especially remembered as being the one to single-handedly rescue the pillars from the burnt and tagged-for-demolition Morrison Hall.

“My mother was a very sophisticated and proper lady who always wore skirts and heels,” says Kelly Callen. “How-ever, when the columns were threatened by bulldozers, that didn’t stop her from sitting on a column convincing the administration to save an important part of the university’s beginnings.”