Gwen Larson, Director of Media Relations
620-341-5528 | glarson1@emporia.edu
Visit our brand resources page for wordmarks, logos, and images
June 17, 2026: Emporia, Kansas, turns into Teacher Town, USA, in late June to honor the five career educators selected for the National Teachers Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. This is the 34th year for the NTHF induction ceremonies.
The National Memorial to Fallen Educators will be rededicated at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 20, in Emporia, Kansas, to honor four educators who lost their lives in service to their students and to remember all others engraved on the Memorial who made the same sacrifice. The ceremony, hosted by the National Teachers Hall of Fame, will take place in the Jack Skillett Atrium of Visser Hall on the Emporia State University campus and will conclude outdoors at the memorial, weather permitting.
The first show of the 2026 season of Summer Theater at Emporia State University will be “Cabaret,” which opens Friday, June 12.
It’s a universe of exploration as Emporia State University’s Peterson Planetarium brings exciting and educational fulldome Summer Shows to viewers of all ages beginning Tuesday, June 9 through Thursday, July 30. From the origin of life and a photon’s journey across space and time to breathtaking quests through our solar system, there is a show for everyone.
Two full productions, a third youth production and opportunities for students to learn from ESU theatre alumni are all part of the upcoming 72nd season of ESU Summer Theatre.
The Emporia State University Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center is hosting a Riparian Restoration volunteer event on Saturday, June 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This educational, hands-on activity involves restoring native lands by removing invasive species and planting native seeds in the Campus Woods near PAROC.
Today, Emporia State leaders told the Kansas Board of Regents the university wants to hold its tuition for 2026-27 at its current rate for a third consecutive academic year. The university stands as the only public institution in the state to propose maintaining current tuition levels for the upcoming academic year.
Emporia State invites the larger community to join those on campus for a celebration! ESU will host the End of the Year Bash on Tuesday, May 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Emporia State will host the sixth annual Special Athletics Track and Field Day on Friday, May 8. The day begins at 9 a.m. with gates and registration opening at ESU’s Welch Stadium. ESU students, faculty, staff and the community are all welcomed to cheer on the athletes.
Join Emporia State’s Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center for a Native Plant Sale and hands-on, family-friendly activities from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 9.