WSU News

The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is poised to host its esteemed “Beyond” Hall of Fame 2026, dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and celebrating industry executives and business leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their communities and the advancement of the Barton School. The illustrious inductees of the inaugural Hall of Fame in 2024 were Frank Barton, Clark Bastian, and Fran Jabara. Nominations for this prestigious event's next group of inductees are being welcomed until Friday, May 10, 2024.

The Global Workplace MBA Initiative, a collaborative effort between the Barton School of Business at Wichita State University and the Berlin School of Economics and Law, proudly celebrates its 20th year of partnership. Launched in 2004, this initiative is designed to offer U.S. and German MBA students immersive real-world international collaboration teams and intercultural communication experiences. Widely acclaimed, it stands as one of the most distinctive international MBA programs in the United States.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is pleased to announce that Gene Camarena is joining the Dean’s Advisory Board. He currently serves as the president and CEO of La Raza Pizza, Inc. As a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, Camarena will help advance the mission and strategic priorities of the Barton School by strengthening, enriching, and enhancing programming, impact, and the student experience.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University proudly announces the appointment of Kianga Crowley as the inaugural Manager of the Barton School’s Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD). With an extensive background in communication, development, and mentorship, Crowley brings a wealth of experience and a passion for empowering individuals to her new role.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University proudly announces Tadd Fowler as its Spring 2024 Executive-in-Residence. He currently holds the position of Senior Vice President at The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G). In his role as Executive-in-Residence, Fowler will deliver a dynamic keynote presentation open to the public, conduct mentoring sessions for students, deliver guest lectures, participate in meetings with Barton School leadership to discuss program and curriculum innovations, as well as engage in various other activities.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has installed a new art exhibit in partnership with the Envision Arts Program. Gretchen Howarth is the latest visually impaired artist to be showcased on the third floor of the Barton School.

The Collegiate DECA chapter at Wichita State University continues to showcase the remarkable talent of its students. DECA, an international association connecting students to business and professional development opportunities, saw the WSU team compete in a statewide competition in Hillsboro, KS on February 23rd. Eight WSU students won eleven medals qualifying them for the upcoming national competition in Austin, Texas, from April 20th to 23rd.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has named its two recipients of the 2024 Professor Fran Jabara Scholarship in Entrepreneurship. This year’s winners are Annika Lindeman from Eisenhower High School in Goddard, Kansas, and Abby Rexford from West Jessamine High School in Wilmore, Kentucky. They will each receive more than $32,700 spread over four years to attend WSU and major in entrepreneurship.

On Saturday, February 17, 2024, the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University hosted its first-ever “Beyond” Hall of Fame gala. The event took place at the beautiful and iconic Mark Arts and inducted three members into its inaugural class: W. Frank Barton, former president of Barton Distributors and co-founder of Rent-A-Center; Clark Bastian, chairman of the board at Fidelity Bank; and Fran Jabara, founder of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the Barton School of Business. Business and university leaders, community members, esteemed alumni, and family and friends of the inductees attended. Each honoree was recognized in a special manner and received their well-deserved awards. Family members of Frank Barton and Fran Jabara accepted these posthumous inductions on their behalf.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has announced that Dr. Jodi Pelkowski will serve as a faculty advisor for the Barton School of Business chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is launching a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality. The program will begin in fall 2024 with applications now open for interested students. It was developed in response to growing local and national employment needs in the industry.

 The W. Frank Barton School of Business' School of Accountancy at Wichita State University has announced the return of its annual Barton Accounting Forum on May 15, 2024. This one-day conference is tailored for accounting and finance professionals, as well as students studying accounting. Attendees can receive eight hours of Continuing Professional Education credits by participating in the conference in addition to invaluable networking opportunities. This marks the first conference held by the School of Accountancy since 2022, and it will take place on Wichita State’s campus.

On Wednesday, February 7, members of the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University stopped by Maize High School to award senior Faith Swart the 2024 Clay Barton Scholarship. The surprise, coordinated between the Barton School and Maize High School officials, included an announcement and presentation of a ceremonial check to Swart during one of her classes. The $50,000 scholarship is one of the largest business scholarships in Kansas.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has announced that Dr. Seth Cockrell will serve as the next Chair of the Marketing Department. Cockrell, who has been working at the Barton School for more than five years as a faculty member, will take over from Duane Nagel, recently appointed as the Barton School’s Senior Associate Dean.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has finalized the inaugural group for the Erin and Kyle Cummings $500,000 Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF). The class consists of 30 students from across the world representing 10 majors.