News

Enjoy a patriotic concert followed by a fireworks show to celebrate the Fourth of July in Emporia.

The second and final show for the 2025 Emporia State Summer Theatre season is “Spring Awakening,” an angsty rock musical adaptation of the seminal play about the trials and tribulations of growing up. The Tony Award-winning play from Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater is described as an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll. The musical is for mature audiences only.

The National Memorial to Fallen Educators will be rededicated at 10 a.m. Friday, June 20, in Emporia, Kansas, to honor nine educators who lost their lives in service to their students. 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 Emporia State University Summer Theatre Company season will be two productions in June, the first step to bringing back a four-show season presented over eight weeks.

Esports is thriving at Emporia State University (ESU), where competitive gaming meets community, scholarship and student success. With a growing roster of student-athletes and increased scholarship opportunities, ESU’s esports program is quickly becoming a regional standout — both on the screen and in student support.

Youths of all ages can learn new skills and have fun during camps this summer at Emporia State University. The offerings include science, art, theatre, esports and athletics.

Emporia State is hosting a series of free summer activities for those interested in STEM, offering opportunities to explore the cosmos, learn about creatures of the night and receive firsthand career advice from a local scientist and educator.

In a powerful moment celebrating the extraordinary impact of America’s teachers, five exceptional educators were introduced this morning (Monday, May 19) as the National Teachers Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on “CBS Mornings.” With a collective 135 years of classroom experience spanning from New Jersey to Hawaii, these educators exemplify dedication, innovation and the transformative power of teaching.

Emporia State University has been designated an Opportunity College and University by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education. This recognition positions ESU as a national model for how institutions can foster student success.

Students and educators from across Kansas will celebrate children’s literature during the 73rd annual William Allen White Children’s Book Awards on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Emporia State University. The events are free and open to the public.