News

Nearly 800 Emporia State University students are candidates for degrees during spring commencement ceremonies at White Auditorium on May 9 and 10.

Emporia State University’s Peterson Planetarium invites the public to explore the beauty and mystery of the night sky with its showing of “From Earth to the Universe” this May. The 30-minute presentation will take viewers on a voyage through space and time, revealing the sparkling sights and sounds uncovered by science. The show will explore the history of astronomy, the invention of the telescope and today’s technology that allows us to probe the birthplaces and burial grounds of stars beyond the Milky Way and the myriad of galaxies in the universe.

The cheers of hundreds of second-grade students filled the gymnasium at the Emporia State University Student Recreation Center during the start of a lively half-day visit to campus packed full of activities.

Emporia State University hosted a first-ever event on April 15 specially designed for students from high schools in Lyon, Coffey and Osage counties, the area served by the Jones Foundation. These students are eligible for the Jones Success Scholarship program at Emporia State.

Marci Penner and the late Emerson Carey Sr., have been announced as the 2025 Kansas Business Hall of Fame Contemporary and Historical inductees, respectively. These two individuals will be officially inducted at the Kansas Business Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, June 12, at 5 p.m. in Cremer Hall on the campus of Emporia State University.

The first permanent dean of Emporia State University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Mark Meister, brings an academic background in communication and communication studies and administration experience as a department chair and associate dean. He will return to the Midwest from Central Washington University on July 7, when he assumes his new role.

Emporia State University Theatre presents “The Mistress of the Inn,” an Italian comedy by Carlo Goldoni. Performances are scheduled for April 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m. in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre, in King Hall.

Many exciting events in April focus on Planet Earth at Emporia State University. Events at the Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center use outdoor education for the celebration of Earth Day. For science enthusiasts who prefer to explore Earth indoors, the Peterson Planetarium show explores Earth as an interconnected world significantly impacted by human activity.

Join the Emporia community in celebration of the 2025 Women’s History Month Reception and Awards Ceremony on Friday, March 28. The recipients of this year’s Ruth Schillinger Award, Dr. Mary F. Headrick Award, and Susan B. Anthony Scholarship also will be honored. The event will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Intercultural Center Lounge on the first floor of ESU’s Memorial Union.

The first permanent dean of Emporia State University’s School of Applied Health Sciences brings decades of experience as a nurse in both clinical and academic settings. Nicole Webb holds a terminal degree — Doctor of Nursing practice, and is board certified as a family nurse practitioner.