Wichita State University spent more money on former head coaches in 2023 than it will on the salaries of all currently employed head coach contracts combined this year, according to records obtained by The Sunflower.
Last year, the university spent more than $3 million on payments to former men’s basketball coaches Gregg Marshall and Isaac Brown and former baseball coach Eric Wedge. WSU will spend around $125,000 less on the base salaries of current head coaches for the 2024-25 year.
Wichita State Athletic Director Kevin Saal said that the decision to buy out a contract can sometimes be a better fiscal decision for the university because it can “turn financial components around.”
“If you’re going in the wrong direction from a season ticket … standpoint, you’re going to struggle to make your annual budget as a department,” Saal said. “You might have to make a decision that puts you in a different place with season tickets and scholarship donations.”
Marshall resigned in 2020 after the conclusion of an investigation looking into allegations of physical and verbal abuse to players.
The university agreed to distribute the remaining $7.75 million of Marshall’s contract in a six-year buyout plan.
Wichita State will continue to give him $1.25 million every year until 2026.
Saal parted ways with Brown in the spring of 2023, with three years and $4 million left on his contract. WSU will pay Brown $108,000 every month until April 2026.
Wedge left by mutual agreement last February, with the university paying him $675,000 throughout the remainder of the year.
Saal said “a lot” goes into the decision to fire a coach, including academic performance, NCAA compliance, community engagement and competitive success. These expectations are even higher for the men’s basketball coach.
“It’s no secret that there’s a lot of pressure on our men’s basketball program
in terms of elevating it and maintaining (it) in a spot that will regularly produce the finances through season tickets (and) scholarship donations that are tied to seat locations within Charles Koch Arena,” Saal said. “It’s critical to our program from a financial standpoint.”
Two current head coaches’ contracts are not listed on the site: women’s bowling coach Holly Harris and cross country coach Kirk Hunter.
The Sunflower obtained Harris’ contract through a records request, but university staff said Hunter “does not have an employment contract with Wichita State University or ICAA” (the university’s collegiate athletics association).”
Hunter has been WSU’s head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach since 2009.
BASE SALARIES AND CONTRACT LENGTHS
Wichita State is the only school in the American Athletic Conference to list its coaching contracts publicly on its website. Saal said this is because the athletics department aims for “transparency and honesty.”
Having these contracts readily available also reduces the number of requests for contracts, which he estimated constitutes about 40% of the university’s records requests.
“We want to be clear in what we’re doing because we think that helps trust and credibility,” Saal said. “And we also want to make it an efficient process for people to be able to look at those contracts without having to request them every time.”
Men’s basketball head coach Paul Mills will make $1.3 million this year, three times more than any other head coach. His contract runs until 2028 and includes a yearly salary increase of $50,000 every year until the final year of the contract when his salary increases by $100,000.
No Wichita State coaches’ contracts are set to expire at the end of this year.
Four contracts will expire in 2026: men’s and women’s tennis coaches Darragh Glavin and Colin Foster and men’s and women’s golf coaches Justin Easterling and Thomas McCurdy.
These four coaches also have the only contracts that do not include a yearly salary increase.
Volleyball coach Chris Lamb’s contract includes an automatic one-year extension at the end of every season until Wichita State chooses to end the agreement.
BENEFITS
Every WSU head coach contract includes an “automobile allowance” benefit that provides a car from the ICAA’s
“courtesy vehicle program” to be used for “business and personal purposes.”
Mills and women’s basketball coach Terry Nooner’s contracts include a $7,200 annual stipend should they choose that over a vehicle. Lamb’s contract includes two courtesy cars.
Three coaches’ contracts — Lamb, softball’s Kristy Bredbenner and track and field’s Steve Rainbolt — also include a “complimentary” country club membership.
Saal’s athletic director contract also includes this clause. Neither head golf coach has a golf membership included in their contracts.
Saal said the automobile allowance — which comes through a partnership with a car dealership — is a “common practice” in contracts.
“Access to a golf course is pretty standard as well because our coaches are involved in fundraising, and it gives them an opportunity to engage with donors playing a little bit of golf, and doing those sorts of things,” he said.
Bredbenner’s contract also includes a cell phone courtesy of the ICAA, although she is responsible for a plan and monthly bills.
The university agreed to pay for the “moving and relocation expenses” of Mills, Nooner and baseball coach Brian Green via a $35,000, $20,000 and $30,000 stipend, respectively. Last year, Green relocated from Washington State, Mills from Oral Roberts in Oklahoma and Nooner from the University of Kansas.
BONUSES AND ADDITIONAL STIPENDS
Rainbolt, who became the head track and field coach in 2000, received a $250,000 one-time payment at the end of May, nearly double that of his yearly base salary. The bonus was intended to “encourage Mr. Rainbolt to continue as Director on a longterm basis,” according to the contract.
“That is relatively common,” Saal said. “The whole point of the contract is to recruit and retain talent.” Lamb also receives $30,000 in “bonus compensation” annually for as long as the contract runs.
Mills, Green and Nooner have yearly retention bonuses in their contracts that kick in next year. The three coaches will earn $420,000 combined over the life of their contracts in these bonuses, provided they are not fired by the university.
Mills, Green and Nooner also receive stipends for making mandatory appearances on radio and TV, as well as for club memberships. Mills will earn $294,000 in these stipends this year, while Green and Nooner will make around $30,000.
All coaches have incentives written into their contracts for competitive, personal and academic goals. For example, Mills will receive $15,000 if WSU makes the NCAA tournament, $25,000 if he is named Conference Coach of the Year and $25,000 if the team reaches a combined GPA above 2.8. All coaches have an amount listed in the contract for how much remaining salary they will receive if let go by the university. Mills, Lamb and Bredbenner will receive the full amount left on their contracts.
Green, Foster, Glavin, McCurdy and Easterling would be paid 75% of what remains in the contract if fired this season. Nooner, Harris and Saal would be paid 50% of their remaining salary if let go this year. Saal said student-athletes are given a survey every semester in which they evaluate aspects of the athletic department. Shocker athletes consistently rate WSU coach performance above the national average of head coaches. Saal said coach contracts are designed to maintain those marks.
“What we want to do, just like everywhere on campus, is position ourselves to recruit and retain top-level talent to lead our student-athletes,” he said.
Students de-stress and learn about safety
BY AINSLEY SMYTH news@thesunflower.com
Students colored tote bags, pet dogs and took an evening walk across campus this week. But they weren’t just doing it for fun.
The series of events, organized by the Student Government Association (SGA), was meant to help students stay safe on campus.
Emery Hadley, the wellness and sustainability chair for SGA, took charge of “Safety Week.”
“We try to do it every fall,” Hadley said. “It gives us a second to sit back and remind ourselves how to protect ourselves (and) how to protect other people.”
DESTRESSING — WITH DOGS
On Tuesday, students gathered to craft and spend time with dogs in the Rhatigan Student Center. Jack Murphy, a regular on campus, brought his labradors, Alice and Angie, to hang out with the group.
Alice and Angie are therapy dogs, and Murphy brings them to the RSC every other week.
“You always think of little kids reading to the dogs, but big kids
need nice dogs, too,” Murphy said.
Hadley, who uses they/them pronouns, said they wanted to help students take their minds off school and other stressors. That’s why they organized a crafting activity and invited Murphy, Angie and Alice.
“It’s midterm season, and I feel like I’m personally very stressed out,” Hadley said. “So, I kind of thought that something really chill and … a mindfulness activity would be good for people.”
Students at the event said they did feel somewhat stressed about school, but they had a variety of ways to wind down, from taking time to be on their own to going on walks in nature.
Selah Walker, a sophomore studying dental hygiene, said being around the dogs relaxed her.
“I have a dog at home that helps with my anxiety, but obviously, I can’t have it here, so that’s why I came,” Walker said. “It makes me relax whenever I’m able to pet a dog.”
TRAINING AND RESOURCES
On Monday, Hadley partnered with Rachael Gladden from
Health, Outreach, Prevention and Education (HOPE) Services, to provide training on how to use naloxone, a drug used to treat opioid overdose.
The training, however, was not given because no students attended.
Students can sign up for training on using naloxone,and receive information on substance misuse from HOPE Services.
SAFETY ACROSS CAMPUS
Hadley worked with Wichita State University Police officers on Wednesday evening to do a “safety walk” across campus, looking for areas that could use improvements in being more accessible or that need more lighting or blue lights.
Guy Schroeder, chief of WSUPD, said the safety walk is an annual tradition that helps police get feedback from the campus community to improve safety.
“Usually in September or October, the Student Government Association … reach(es) out to us about a walk across campus, giving them an opportunity to speak their piece about concerns,” he said.
Schroeder said the walk is also a chance to bring attention to campus police as a resource for students if they ever feel unsafe.
“Just a simple phone call to the 3450 number, and we can … be in the area so that you can see the police car if you’re going from one location to another,” he said.
Campus police’s nonemergency number is (316) 978-3450.
“One of the things that probably concerns me the most is that (students) are afraid to call the police department for whatever reason,” Schroeder said.
“And (if you) see something, don’t be afraid to call. And if it turns out to be nothing, it turns out to be nothing. I’m good with that. I’m absolutely good with that. But that’s why we’re here on campus.”
Schroeder said for all kinds of safety concerns, from walking across campus at night to mental health issues, there are resources available.
“The university’s CARE Team is hugely important in (preventing mental health crises),” he said.
“We do have avenues for people to report those folks in crisis so that it doesn’t come to the last second call when we finally get it.”
How candidates create campaign messages
BY NABAA ALAMOOD nqalamood@gmail.com
In the surplus of political advertisements that surface around the election, candidates and their teams use different mechanisms and mediums to polish and deliver their messages.
Campaigns are a form of marketing. The goal is to convince voters that the candidate’s message is worth investing in, whether through donations, endorsements or a vote.
As Wichita State political science student Ryan Nuckles put it, the purpose of the advertisement is not to convince the voter, but rather, “to get their voters to go vote.”
“And I mean, like a whole army of people just doing your campaign work,” Nuckles said.
“There’s scarcely a word that’s said by either candidate that they don’t want you to hear.”
The engagement from the audience plays a role in the process of crafting an
MISSION
advertisement. According to James Ian Tennant, an assistant communications professor, ads might be created to target specific groups of people.
“It depends on the person, depends on the context,” Tennant said. “If you’re exposed to a certain amount of media, it probably has an impact, depending on … your education, too.”
CREATING A ‘BRAND’
The way news is received has adapted to what mediums people are using. Creating a brand means building a platform that people identify with. Brands can be built around the candidate’s values, politics and relatability.
Candidates can have very different ways of reaching out to their audience. For example, Kamala Harris’ campaign largely advertises through TikTok. Nuckles said Harris has created a specific brand appeal to voters.
“She kind of cultivates this air of girl boss — girl bossiness,” he
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Criminal justice professor hopes to help prevent cyber crime
BY MIA HENNEN managing@thesunflower.com
Five years ago, someone stole Yumi Suzuki’s bank information, cashing false checks under her name.
“How did this happen?” Suzuki said, recalling the experience. “I was kind of my own … private investigator; I tried to find who did this.”
The ensuing fraud case required Suzuki to navigate various areas, including debt collection agencies, bankers, attorneys and plenty of cybersecurity research.
“Right after that happened, I … used Google to look for kind of basic information,” she said.
The situation prompted the associate criminal justice professor to shift her area of research from sexual violence to cyber security.
“I wanted my experience to (be) worth something,” she said.
While her previous and current research emphasis may seem disconnected, Suzuki noticed overlaps between the two, such as the victims’ experience of emotional trauma.
“It’s not the same as sexual violence victims, but (fraud victims) do go through, ‘Why did I let it happen? Nobody’s paying attention to me,’” Suzuki said.
Suzuki said both areas can leave victims with little social support, and oftentimes, victims are responsible for filing reports, researching and more.
In 2023, the Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 880,000 cybersecurity scam complaints, with potential losses exceeding $12 billion. Many of these complaints and losses came from those 60 and older.
“Older victims lose the most because they have access to a lot of assets, but then at the same time, they don’t really have resources for themselves to recover from it,” Suzuki said. “Imagine ... if you’re 85 and you’re dependent on your Social Security — It’s all gone because you were scammed.”
To combat cybersecurity scams, Suzuki wrote an article on money mule cases with the aid of a district attorney investigator in California.
said. “And she said like, ‘Brat’ over the summer or something, and then that became a thing.”
Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, portrays himself in advertisements as a patriot. Trump’s advertisements have a strong focus on the failures of President Joe Biden, which resonates with many voters who identify as Republican.
“It’s not a new political strategy,” Tennant said. “A Democratic candidate running against any incumbent Republican would probably do the same ... In the sense (of), ‘America’s in a hell of a mess, and only I can fix it.’”
THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT POLITICAL ADS
With the election around the corner, advertisements are popping up more frequently. Tennant and Nuckles both said it’s important to do research, think critically about the candidate and question what you don’t know.
Nuckles said students should use trusted sources to research candidates. He suggested Ballotpedia, a website that aims to simplify political information.
“They have a lot (of information) for a lot of the candidates,” Nuckles said.
Tennant said it’s also important to understand a variety of perspectives.
“What’s important is to try to branch out, you know, maybe consume some media that you wouldn’t necessarily look into,” Tennant said. “If you’re a CNN viewer, then go watch Fox News for a while, just to see.”
The article was published in the FBI’s law enforcement bulletin. Suzuki described the road to publication as a “long process.”
“We submitted it, and we didn’t hear back,” Suzuki said. “Six months later, we heard, ‘Okay, we accept your paper,’ and then another year passed for their publication process.”
Suzuki said she hopes the article will impact people in and out of law enforcement.
“I’m hoping that, because of the wider audience, some investigators will read it and take a cue, like, ‘Ah, maybe we need to kind of change the policy and/or practice,’” she said.
WHAT ARE MONEY MULES?
Money mules move funds acquired illegally via theft or fraud.
People behind these schemes often trick individuals via romance propositions or job offers, but not all money mules are aware they’re part of a larger crime scheme.
CONTACT US 019 Elliott Hall 1845 N. Fairmount Ave. Campus Box 134 Wichita, KS
Pre-nursing sophomore Jasmine Peng pets a therapy dog named Alice at the Student Government Association’s Calm and Craft event on Oct. 22 in the Rhatigan Student Center. | Photos by Cheyanne Tull / The Sunflower
Therapy dog Angie rests in the Pike Room of the Rhatigan Student Center.
SCAN TO LISTEN ON SPOTIFY OR APPLE PODCASTS
DEFENDING HOME TURF
Wichita State’s women’s bowling team won its first tournament since being promoted to the NCAA, beating 29 teams.
Volleyball splits games in Carolina road trip
BY JACOB UNRUH & OWEN PROTHRO sports@thesunflower.com & owenprothro@gmail.com
Wichita State volleyball played two road games in North Carolina over the weekend, dominating the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Friday but dropping a heartbreaker to East Carolina University on Sunday afternoon. The Shockers sit at 10-10 overall and 5-3 in the American Athletic Conference standings.
CHARLOTTE
The Shockers completed a three-set sweep on the road at Charlotte on Friday evening (2522), (25-16), (25-15).
Wichita State hit .272 as a team in the win. The 49ers, who hit .214 and made 11 service errors, dropped to 1-6 in the AAC.
Despite a sluggish start from both teams to open the first set, Wichita State went up 10-7 after a 3-0 run. Charlotte answered with a 3-0 run of its own after coercing three Shocker attack errors to tie the game at 11.
Charlotte would eventually go up 18-16 after a 4-0 run before Wichita State head coach Chris Lamb called a timeout. The Shockers trailed 22-19 after the timeout, but a late offensive spark and a 6-0 run helped Wichita State take the set.
In the second set, redshirt freshman outside hitter Alyssa Gonzales made two early kills to cap off a 4-0 scoring run, helping the Shockers take a 6-4 lead.
Wichita State went on a 6-0 run and took the largest lead by any team at that point, 13-6.
The 49ers came back within 2 points, but the Shockers went on a 4-0 run to increase their cushion to 21-15. Wichita State went on another 4-0 run to take the set.
The Shockers opened the third set with two 3-0 scoring runs to take a 6-3 lead. Wichita State later went up by 6 points, 10-4, after a 4-0 scoring run.
The Shockers maintained control and eventually opened up a 10-point, 18-8 advantage after another 3-0 scoring run. Junior outside hitter Emerson Wilford ended the set and match with a solo block.
Gonzales led all players with 13 kills and hit .440. Junior outside hitter Brooklyn Leggett and senior middle blocker
Morgan Stout each made eight kills and hit .333 and .316, respectively.
EAST CAROLINA
A career day from Leggett wasn’t enough for Wichita State to defeat East Carolina on the road.
The Shockers lost to the Pirates for the first-ever time, 3-2 (22-25), (25-18), (25-21), (18-25), (15-10). The teams moved into a tie in the American Athletic Conference standings at 5-3.
Leggett had a career-high 21 kills on a scorching .405 hitting percentage, her best since the first game of the season. She added three digs and two blocks.
The performance was needed for the Shockers, as Gonzales, who had led Wichita State in kills through most of conference play, wilted to only nine in the game on a .048 hitting percentage. ECU hit .311, the highest mark against the Shockers so far in the AAC. Wichita State’s .290 hitting percentage was the team’s highest in a losing effort since 2019.
The Shockers utilized a 7-1 run to open up a 12-7 lead in the first set. It looked like WSU would run away with the frame, but a 10-3 rally from East Carolina gave the Pirates a late lead, 21-20.
Wichita State regained its composure and, with the help of two kills from Leggett and two service aces, won the set.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the second set, Wichita State never led again as the Pirates tied the game. The third set started the same, with ECU jumping out to a 5-2 advantage.
The Shockers fought back to a standstill throughout the middle of the set. Leading 21-20, East Carolina rallied for a 4-1 run to close out the set.
Wichita State led wire-to-wire in the fourth set, setting up a winner-take-all fifth frame.
The teams traded points for nine straight serves in the final set. With the score 11-9, the Pirates went on a 3-0 run, culminating in a service ace to move to match point that bounced off the net and dropped in front of Strand.
After a Wichita State point and a long rally, East Carolina finished the game with a kill.
Wichita State will return home on Friday, Oct. 25, against Memphis University. The first serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Charles Koch Arena.
Women’s tennis’ Theodora Chantava spreads positivity to teammates
BY EVAN TONG
evantong3@gmail.com
The often-animated junior women’s tennis player Theodora Chantava radiates energy wherever she goes. Her emotion can be seen both on and off the court.
Wichita State women’s tennis head coach Colin Foster first saw Chantava while recruiting another player from Greece years ago.
“And I wasn’t really looking for college, so it came as a good opportunity,” Chantava said. “I thought it was good, and I took it.”
Despite being successful in Greece, Chantava had doubts about a professional future in her home country.
“I don’t think it looked very good in Greece, especially because
(of) the opportunities there,” Chantava said. “And all of the facilities, it’s not very promising, especially in Greece.”
Chantava is one of six international players on the women’s tennis team. Her doubles partner, sophomore Giorgia Roselli, comes from across the Mediterranean Sea in Italy.
“At first, I wasn’t supposed to play with her (Chantava),” Roselli said. “I played one tournament with another girl from the team, and then the coaches wanted (us to) try. Then before the season, I played with another girl too. And then the coach asked me who I prefer between them. I (said) her (Chantava).”
The partners have differing play styles. Chantava said Roselli
is patient, while Roselli said Chantava has the opposite trait.
“I think she (Chantava) plays aggressive, and she wants to kill the ball,” Roselli said. “Big shot, not too much patience.”
With a packed travel schedule, there is rarely a time when the two won’t see each other.
“I enjoy (spending) time with her, and you can talk with her about everything,” Roselli said. “Especially on the court, she gives you advice and supports you every time.”
Chantava enjoys sparking conversations with others and spending time with the team.
“They’re very kind and nice,” she said. “And I really think that we fit … I enjoy spending time with them.”
Theodora Chantava plays for Wichita State against Louisiana Tech on April 13. Chantava is entering her junior season. | Photo by Garima Thapa / The Sunflower
Fifth-year setter Izzi Strand serves during Wichita State’s game against South Florida on Oct. 11. | Photo by Aubri Baker / The Sunflower
Graduate student Chloe Ciecko dances with her team to celebrate a spare. Wichita State women’s bowling captured the MidStates Championship over the weekend. | Photos by Zachary Ruth / The Sunflower
Freshman Beau Anderson keeps track of her team’s performance on a scorecard between frames. The Mid-States Championship took place at Bowlero Northridge in Wichita on Oct. 19-20, and was hosted by WSU and Newman University.
Junior Paige Wagner bowls in the final game of the first baker block match on Oct. 20.
Sophomore Aleesha Oden rolls her ball down the lane during the first round of competition on Oct. 20.
ARTS & CULTURE
Illustration by Savanna Nichols / The Sunflower
Let’s Fkn Dough: Popup cookie shop presses ‘dough’ on business
BY AVERY GATHRIGHT averygathright@outlook.com
When WSU graphic design instructor Jenny Venn learned her boyfriend, Daniel Pewewardy, owned a commercial cookie oven in August, the couple joked about starting a company. Little did they know that the joke would come to life less than two months later as Let’s Fkn Dough, a pop-up cookie business.
The company has been wellreceived by the public, planning to launch merch next month and has bookings as far out as February 2025.
Although LFD is a cookie company at its core — offering fresh, hot cookies at every pop-up — Venn and Pewewardy hope to use it to motivate people, spread humor and give back to the community. Venn explained that “cookies are just a means to connection.”
“We both really believe in the power of words and really enjoy motivating other people,” Venn said. “It’s one of both of our gifts … That’s really where the saying, ‘Let’s Fucking Dough’ came from. Both of us have been through a lot in our lives, and one thing that keeps us going is helping lift others up.”
The company gets its cookie dough from a bakery in New York, but its menu is not set. Venn explained that the goal is to “keep (the flavors) fun and interesting and also conceptual,” matching cookie types to events. Flavors have included salted caramel cookies at some of its fall pop-ups and pairing specialty cookies with whiskeys at a VIP event, and the company is looking to serve gingerbread for the holidays.
In addition to custom cookies, almost every Lets Fkn Dough (LFD) pop-up will have a beneficiary. Venn and Pewewardy want to use the company to promote causes important to them such as mental health and wellbeing and supporting Indigenous communities, women-owned businesses and LGBTQ+ youth.
“I feel like if you operate in the public sphere, with a company or if you’re an artist or anything,
it’s important to have a genuine connection with your audience and the messaging,” Pewewardy said. “I think it was important for us … (to) have our personalities reflected in the brand.”
In addition to using cookies, the couple also uses the company’s social media presence to spread awareness of their causes and motivate their followers.
“Each of the cookies comes in a package that has the logo and also a motivational saying,” Venn said.
“Another motivational thing (is) … every Monday, we do a Motivation Monday post that has some type of motivator.”
Creating an entire brand from scratch in just a couple of months has been an intensive process for the couple, and both have used their backgrounds in research and design to make it come together quickly in a way that Venn said is “super contradictory to any of my training as a graphic designer.”
“With this, it’s like, we have an oven, we have cookies, let’s fucking dough,” Venn said. “And that’s what we did. We both just said, ‘We have no idea really. Let’s just go and see what happens.’”
Venn and Pewewardy are grateful for the public’s reaction to LFD since its launch at the end of September. According to Venn, LFD will continue to expand and give back to the community over time.
“Both of us are creative and we’re ideas people, and you never know how those babies are going to be received in the world,” Venn said. “The fact that LFD has been so well perceived by other people and they’ve loved it. We want to give more. We want to keep going, keep sharing that message too, and also, it’s really neat to know that this is just the beginning of it.”
Ultimately, the two hope their sweet treats and motivating messaging will make a positive impact on the world.
“For me and Jenny, the most important factor is positive mental health and self-care,” Pewewardy said. “The world is hard sometimes, and it’s salty, and so it’s always good to have some soft, sweet cookies in the world to make things better.”
‘Get back to us connecting’: Local veteran opens coffee bar to bring people together
BY SOPHIA BEST sophiadapbest@gmail.com
Byron McSwain has worn many hats over the years. He was an operations specialist in the U.S. Navy, an aircraft dispatcher at Beechcraft and an account manager at Cargill. In his newest role, though, McSwain owns Greater Grounds Coffee & Co.
Through the business opportunity, McSwain wants to bring together the Wichita community around fresh coffee, live music and a sense of connection.
“I want to get back to us connecting,” McSwain said. “Whether it’s music, whether it’s coffee, just sitting down and gathering.”
Besides connecting with each other, McSwain aims to connect the community. Partnering with the non-profit Family Promise of Greater Wichita, he donates unsold food at the end of the day. He also offers a discount for educators, military and health
care professionals.
Greater Grounds opened in July at 922 E. Douglas Ave. The idea had been in production since 2015 when McSwain studied at Friends University.
The idea for the shop was born through one of his required business classes.
“Part of the program was to write a business plan,” McSwain said. “And I have a love of coffee, so I just thought it was natural.”
When McSwain joined Cargill, he didn’t forget about the idea, instead putting it on the backburner.
The slow return to normal following 2020 prompted McSwain to get the shop going.
“To me, after we went through COVID … It was important for me to open a coffee shop where we could reconnect again, and get back to being together,” he said.
McSwain even rejected the idea of a drive-thru to fully commit to bringing people inside
to talk with each other.
But talking isn’t the only thing Greater Grounds has to offer. McSwain said he aims to elevate the coffee and coffee cocktail experience, focusing on different blends and flavors.
“I treat coffee like how most people treat wine,” McSwain said. “There’s so many different things you can do with coffee.”
The coffee shop uses higher quality coffee, such as Honduras and Ethiopian blends, and combines them with specialty syrups and different options for milk.
The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With the later hours, McSwain hopes to give students a place to gather.
“We really wanted to give college students and people somewhere in the evening,” McSwain said. “So we stay open a little late to give people that safe space to still get some work done … have a late coffee or just listen to some music.”
‘USE YOUR HEAD’
The dos and the don’ts of dorm life
Dorm life, in theory, is scary.
When I tell you I panicked for months over the thought of living with a stranger, I wish I was joking. In practice, dorm life can still be scary. There’s nothing better than being woken up at 3 a.m. by someone on your right knocking on the wall.
If you couldn’t tell, I was being sarcastic.
But seriously, this is a problem. I came to college with one of the few comforts being that we were all adults. I figured we’d learned from the mistakes of being obnoxious high schoolers, yet I found college students are somehow (sometimes) worse.
So, to make it simple for all of those still confused, here’s a nice list compiled by yours truly.
DO: CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF
Your main concern: your room and whatever area you share with your roommate(s). It’s not that hard to do. Pick up your trash, do dishes or sweep and mop. No one deserves to smell your leftover dinner from two weeks ago, so just do the responsible thing and take it out.
A little secret: if you’re having an off day and don’t immediately clean up, most roommates will understand
Pinnetti
Ghosting, the act of abruptly ending communication without warning, often carries a negative reputation. It’s seen as cold, impolite and confusing.
But in a world where technology allows us to be reached instantly, we’re often expected to be available at all hours, and that’s simply unrealistic. Not only do we not owe everyone a reply, but we also do not need to make ourselves available 24/7 just because we carry a phone.
if you’ve been decent to them all year. Everyone has off days. We’re all students here, but your roommates are not your maids. This cleanliness rule does not only apply to your dorm but the areas within whatever dormitory you’re staying in: the elevators, the Laundry-Kitchen-Lounges (LKL), and the laundry rooms.
People should not worry about slipping on your abandoned dryer sheets just because you were too lazy to bend down and take them to the trash can. And there should most definitely not be crumbs on the counter in the LKL. It’s a shared space and needs to be treated as such. I also shouldn’t have to worry about placing my hands in chewed-up gum on the railings of the elevator — which has happened twice in one month if anyone was wondering.
DON’T: DECIDE YOU’RE GOING TO BE THE NEXT GORDON RAMSAY
I am all for experimenting and finding new hobbies, but maybe you shouldn’t attempt to cook for the first time in a kitchen with a very sensitive fire alarm where hundreds of people live.
For one, we all share air. So the moment you burn your batch of grandma’s homemade chocolate chip cookies, it wafts everywhere. I’ll be resting peacefully in my living room and then it’ll smell like someone
someone after multiple dates or cutting off a relationship without explanation feels wrong in certain contexts.
Some situations deserve more clarity out of respect for the time invested. After six dates or when a bond has formed, ghosting might not be the best approach.
But there are circumstances where ghosting is not only acceptable but wise. Take, for instance, situations where someone — whether romantic or platonic — has made you feel unsafe or doesn’t respect your boundaries. Ghosting becomes not just an option, but a necessity.
from “Nailed It!” just infiltrated the building. It’s not a nice smell.
Furthermore, guess what can happen when food is burned? Smoke happens, which in turn causes the fire alarm to go off. And if I have to be woken up from my nap one more time because someone burned their food, I’m going to lose it. Listen, I know times are tough and sometimes the Dining Hall just isn’t doing it, but just stick to ramen for the sake of my ears and sleep schedule.
DO: RESPECT YOUR RAS
Sophomore Hailee Powell, a resident assistant (RA) at The Suites, said it’s nice to see residents of the dorms being mindful and respecting their RAs.
“We’re also students, as well,” Powell said. “We’re just like you guys, and it’s kind of nice if we get a wave, if we get a smile, you know, a little bit of an acknowledgment.”
Powell said RAs are there to be a mentor to residents and that she wants people to work with her instead of against her.
“It’s nothing crazy. I’m not the police,” Powell said. “I’m not your boss; I’m just here to help. I feel like a lot of people just forget that they just see it as a hall monitor type thing.”
Be mindful of your RAs. They do a lot for residents of the dorms. And even though you can feel frustrated with different aspects of life, don’t take it out on them. They’re going through their own problems.
Also, just wave at them. I promise they don’t bite.
DON’T: BE SUPER LOUD
I’m going to preface this by saying this doesn’t mean no noise can ever be heard from your dorm. That would be concerning.
What I am saying is dorm residents should be mindful of not only the people in their room but also the other people on the floors around them. You don’t need to be blaring Kendrick Lamar at 2 a.m. That also means no running down the halls, shouting nonsense. If you’re being chased, I’ll allow an exception, but not if you’re just upset that the Kansas City Chiefs lost. Completely unnecessary, we’re not 3 years old anymore.
Being mindful of your loudness doesn’t just apply to quiet hours, either. People study, take naps or just like to relax in the afternoon. College is stressful, and people don’t need to be stressed out more by loud stomping coming from above them.
A small piece of advice: if you’re ever in doubt about whether you’re being too loud, you probably should be quieter.
And that concludes the dos and don’ts of college dorm life. There are definitely more items that could be added, but this sums up the basics of sharing a living space in college.
Just use your head and act like an adult. If you’re old enough to live on your own, you’re old enough to know how to act.
communication should not be a priority. There are other reasons for ghosting, such as someone from high school reaching out after years of no contact. Usually, people who have lost touch over time have been fizzled
The concept of ghosting is often criticized because it can lead to misunderstandings or hurt feelings. After all, ignoring
An abuser certainly is not owed an explanation.
If a person has disregarded your well-being, responding to them with politeness or continued
out for a reason. While it might be kind of them to check in or reach out, you are not obligated to get back to that person. Especially as a college student, there’s often little spare time for that.
Ghosting, in the right situations, can be a tool of self-preservation.
While it is not always the most diplomatic option, there are valid instances where protecting your boundaries and well-being takes priority over someone else’s potential confusion.
In a world where everyone demands constant attention and instant replies, sometimes silence is the healthiest response. Piper
Illustration by Emma Wilks / The Sunflower
Illustration by Preston Caylor / The
MPKIN UN AND DONE
More than 450 students, parents, pups and children participated in the annual Pumpkin Run races held on campus last Saturday.
UPCOMING EVENTS
AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS
MONDAY, OCT. 28
7:30 - 10 p.m.
Orpheum Theatre
200 N. Broadway St. #102
Humor writer David Sedaris returns to Wichita again after visiting the Orpheum Theatre and Watermark Books & Cafe last year. Go to selectaseat.com/sedaris for tickets ranging from $32 to $75.
INTRO TO MINDFULNESS
TUESDAY, OCT. 29
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ulrich Museum of Art
This short mindfulness session will introduce the audience to the process of mindfulness while viewing and appreciating art. Experience the art of the gallery at your own pace.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY MARK LAYCOCK
TUESDAY, OCT. 29
7:30 - 9 p.m.
Miller Concert Hall
Experience the work of 70 ungraduate and graduate musicians in the WSU Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony Orchestra has collaborated with names such as jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton and rock band Kansas. The event is free to all WSU students.
WRITING NOW READING NOW: HOLLY WILSON
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 30
5:30 - 7 p.m.
Ulrich Museum of Art
MFA graduate from Wichita State with a Ph.D. in creative writing from Florida State University, Holly Wilson now serves as an associate professor of creative writing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Wilson will be reading from her recent novel, “Kittentits.”
CLOSING RECEPTION:
BARE-BONES
THURSDAY, OCT. 31
5 - 8 p.m.
Harvester Arts at The Lux 120 E. 1st St. N.
Experience the work of Wichita State’s Photography and Printmaking Guilds for “Bare-Bones.” The exhibition will feature spooky photographic and print works. Feel free to show up in your Halloween costume.
YOGA WITH MOLLY SATURDAY, NOV. 2
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Ulrich Museum of Art Molly McFerson, owner of Yoga with Molly, will lead a simple and gentle instructory yoga session. There is a $10 suggested payment for the instructor via Venmo, CashApp or cash.
WIND ENSEMBLE CONDUCTED BY TIMOTHY SHADE
TUESDAY, NOV. 5
7:30 p.m.
Miller Concert Hall
Join the WSU Wind Ensemble in a variety of classical to contemporary pieces. This concert is focusing on showcasing the advancement in the art of wind band. The event is free to all students.
ARTIST TALK: DAVID ALABO
THURSDAY, NOV. 7
Reception at 5:30 p.m. Program at 6 p.m.
Ulrich Museum of Art Ghanian-Moroccan multidisciplinary artist David Alabo will discuss his inspiration and works in relation to Afrofuturism and Afro-Surrealism. His work is featured in “Dream Machine: Fantasy, Surreality, and Play.” The event is free and all are welcome to attend.
HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED?
CONTACT THE ARTS EDITOR: arts@thesunflower.com
CONTACT THE NEWS EDITOR: news@thesunflower.com
Ben Flowers raises his fist in triumph after coming in second place at the 5K Pumpkin Run race. The Wichita native finished with a time of 17:45. | Photos by Allison
Campbell / The Sunflower
Alarielle Orozco paints a miniature pumpkin after running in the Little Pumpkin Run 1K race. Orozco also had her face painted while attending the annual event.
Kaitlyn Sabala grins as she crosses the finish line of the 5K Pumpkin Run race. Sabala was one of more than 450 racers who participated in the annual event.
Lyla Hampton shows off her recently received medal for participating in the Little Pumpkin Fun Run race to her mother.
Tristram Nguyen, dressed up as
pumpkin, runs with more than 50 children in the Little Pumpkin Run’s 1K race. Parents, pets
racing event on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Brian Jarman throws a peace sign as he walks his way across the finish line. Jarman was one of more than 200 racers who participated in the 5K race.
Allison Kroupa poses for a photo with her daughter, Jocelyn, who dressed up as
Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” in the Little Pumpkin Fun Run 1K race. Allison ran in the 5K race, finishing with a time of 41:32.
Katherine Gerlach, 11, holds hands with Adam Gerlach, 7, and another Little Pumpkin Fun Run participant as they cross the finish line of the 1K race.
