Dr. Richard Muma was formally inaugurated Friday as the 15th president of Wichita State University.
In a ceremony at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Dr. Muma received the Presidential Medallion from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. The governor said Dr. Muma has shown a “spirited advocacy” for WSU students and he wants to make the university experience more available and more affordable.
Dr. Muma outlined a number of goals for the university, including giving every student the opportunity for applied learning, and supporting Kansas businesses with a talent pipeline that will meet their needs for workers. He said research and innovation programs are not only bringing resources to the university, but they are also creating jobs for Kansas. He said he also wants to establish new health care education and research facilities, with new opportunities to attract and retain talent.
Dr. Muma also introduced a new vision statement for WSU: “To become one of the nation’s premier urban public research universities, known for providing impactful applied learning experiences, and driving economic prosperity for the people and communities we serve.”
