Click the image above to learn more about the Wichita Public Library.
The Advanced Learning Library was opened in May 2018. This new central library was the result of several years of fund raising efforts and planning by the library director and the WPL Board.
This excursion will offer a tour of the facility with a member of the library staff. The unique design of the building has been very popular with library patrons and has led to increased use of library services.
After the tour, we encourage you to cross the street and visit the Keeper of the Plains for the lighting of the flames at 9:00. See the box below for more information.
Watch for sign up sheet for this excursion. Space is limited for this tour.
Sue Koenig is our Director Archives and a part of our library team. This will be her first ACL experience tells me she's looking forward to seeing what Steve and I have been talking about! Sue ordinarily works part-time, but is looking forward to being on campus and participating in the conference this year. One thing you will quickly learn about Sue is that she loves to have visitors to the archives. A tour of the archives will be offered Monday evening after the welcome dinner and entertainment.
The Keeper of the Plains is a 44-foot tall steel sculpture standing at the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join together in downtown Wichita. This land between the two rivers is sacred ground to the Native American people and is also home to the Mid-America All-Indian Center. The American Indian sculpture was created by Wichitan and Native American artist Blackbear Bosin (1921-1980). This icon of Wichita was erected on May 18, 1974 to celebrate the United States Bi-centennial and has kept a watchful eye on the city ever since.
*Photo and information about the Keeper of the Plains from: Visit Wichita.
Wichitans are proud to invite visitors to the city to explore the Keeper of the Plains. The statue represents the Native American heritage of Wichita and of Kansas. This is one site we encourage your to visit while in Wichita for the ACL Conference. The pots of flames are lit every evening during the summer at 9:00 and burn for 15 minutes. A recent renovation added the walking bridge and raised the elevation of the statue to be more easily seen.
The site is located across the street from the public library and about a mile from Old Town so it will be an easy stop on the way back to campus following the excursions. Those going to the baseball game will also be close by, but timing may not be in your favor if the game is a long one.
Click the logo image above to explore Old Town shops and restaurants!
Old Town Wichita is located just minutes away from the Newman campus. We will offer a shuttle from 6:45 - 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday evening, June 9th. The shuttle van will leave from the circle drive in front of Dugan Library every 30 minutes and deliver you to the heart of the Old Town area. You do not need to sign up to catch the shuttle. You will need to make sure you return with the final shuttle back to campus at 8:45.
There is also plenty of parking available in Old Town if you prefer to drive yourself and others. Street parking is available as well as a parking garage.
The final shuttle from Old Town will stop at the Keeper of the Plains for the lighting of the flames at 9:00. See the information box below for details!
Tours of Dugan Library will be offered Monday evening after the welcome dinner and entertainment. Our building is one of the newer buildings on campus. It was opened and dedicated in the Fall 2007 semester. It was originally designed to resemble the shape of a cross. Plans changed and the conference center was added prior to construction.
Dugan Library & Campus Center houses several departments and services for students. Dugan Library occupies about a third of the building on both floors. The Grind (coffee shop) is located inside the bookstore, the student center and conference center take up the rest of the first floor space. On the second floor is the Alumni Center where several different events are scheduled during conference.
We look forward to sharing our space both in the library and across campus with ACL attendees!
Click the logo image above to purchase tickets!
The Wind Surge open their first season in Wichita in 2020. They are affiliated with the Miami Marlins.
The Wichita Wind Surge will play the El Paso Chihuahuas Tuesday, June 9 @ 7:05 p.m.
Tickets may be purchased at the gate or online.
The ballpark is located just a few minutes away from the Newman Campus. Check in Dugan Library to meet up with other baseball fans to arrange rides and carpools.
Adorers of the Blood of Christ
The Adorers founded Sacred Heart Junior College for religious and lay women in 1933. That institution evolved into Newman University, whose mission is to empower graduates to transform society.
The Wichita Center is located just to the south of our main campus. The morning prayer walk will utilize the walking path around the small pond located on their property. The University has maintained a close relationship with the Sisters and we enjoy the relationships and support we experience from them.
A tour of the beautiful chapel in their facility will be offered during the week. Many of our building names and much of the history of the college is intertwined with the history of the Sisters of the ASC, as we informally call them. As details of the tour are confirmed it will be added here, check back for information.
