Author: James Schisler

After two years of success, the Widener Global Leaders Program (WGLP). led by the Barton School of Business, will continue for the next five years. The continuation of the program is made possible by a $300,000 gift from Peri Widener, the visionary behind the program.

WGLP is an interdisciplinary program designed to create a transformational experience and foster an inclusive community for women majoring in business, communication and fine arts. The integration of the three disciplines reflects the skillset of Peri Widener, who utilized her background to thrive in the international business world.

The Barton School has announced the formation of its new Marketing Advisory Board. In conjunction, 15 marketing leaders from across the country have been selected to serve on the board.

The Marketing Advisory Board serves to advance the mission of the Barton School and the strategic vision of the Marketing Department. By sharing ideas and making recommendations, each member will work to enrich the student experience and shape the future of the department based on industry projections and insights. This includes advising on curriculum, department initiatives, business partnerships, outreach and student opportunities.

The roster of board members stretches the country and encompass leaders from numerous industries including banking, technology, aviation, restaurant management, professional sports and more.

Art created by an artist with a visual impairment is now on display at Woolsey Hall, home of WSU’s Barton School of Business, in partnership with the Envision Arts Program.

Nick Wooding is the newest Barton School featured artist. His mixed media pieces can be found on the third floor of Woolsey Hall.

Woolsey Hall, the new academic building and home of the W. Frank Barton School of Business, is now home to the Chris Brunner, WSU alum, sculpture, “The Entrepreneur.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony to honor Brunner and “The Entrepreneur” will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 in Woolsey Hall. A reception will follow featuring remarks from Brunner as well as appetizers and beverages. The event is open to the public.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business has chosen two recipients to receive the 2023 Professor Fran Jabara Scholarship in Entrepreneurship. This year’s winners are Kayla Atkinson from Andover Central High School and Caleb Lowry from Eisenhower High School.

They will each receive more than $32,500 spread over four years to attend Wichita State and major in entrepreneurship.

In just its first year, the Collegiate DECA chapter at Wichita State is already making its mark nationwide. The WSU team competed in the statewide DECA competition at Tabor College in February.

Two members — Jennifer Calvo, marketing major, and Nathan Holloway, business administration major — placed in the top three in their events. As a result, they will represent Kansas at a national collegiate DECA competition from Saturday, April 15 to April 19 in Orlando.

DECA is a international association connecting marketing students to professional and business development opportunities.

Erin Cummings — a W. Frank Barton School of Business graduate, president of the Barton School’s Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board and owner of YESyoga — will hold a launch event for her first published work, “The Possibility Project: A Guided Journal for Creating What’s Possible,” at Wichita State. The event will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 27 in the Woolsey Hall auditorium. RSVP is required to attend.

“The Possibility Project” is an evolution of a vision and goals workshop Cummings created for YESyoga, which offers specific prompts, honest questions, motivating statements and a simplistic, calming design to help readers who are “drowning under the weight of the promise of having it all.” The journal then guides readers to discover what they truly value and create what’s possible through productivity, creativity, movement and purpose.

The kickoff event will feature a fireside chat by Cummings titled “Moving With Purpose and Unlocking Possibilities” and will be followed by a book signing opportunity for attendees along with a networking reception. The Barton School is excited to offer the campus community an opportunity to meet Erin Cummings, learn about her journey and explore her thoughts on how to create what’s possible.

Earlier this spring, Wichita State announced the newest recipients of the Koch Scholarship. The Koch Scholars have been awarded $30,000 for in-state students and $45,000 for out-of-state students each. The competitive program is based on high academic achievement, work, volunteer and leadership experiences, an essay and an interview process.

Three of the seven recipients have chosen to major in business, so the Barton School talked to each of them to learn more about their interests and excitement for the upcoming fall 2023 semester.

The Barton School of Business will host alumna Erin Cummings as she begins to showcase her first published work, “The Possibility Project: A Guided Journal for Creating What’s Possible.”

The kickoff event will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 27 in Woolsey Hall. It will feature a presentation by Cummings titled “Moving With Purpose and Unlocking Possibilities” followed by a book signing opportunity for attendees along with a networking reception.

Cummings is a Barton School graduate, president of the school’s dean’s Alumni Advisory Board and owner of YESyoga.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business is launching its Business Hall of Fame to recognize, honor and celebrate the industry executives and business leaders who have gone above and beyond in making a significant impact on their communities and advancement of the Barton School.

The honoree(s) will be inducted into the Barton School of Business Hall of Fame during an event on Feb. 17, 2024 at Mark Arts.

Stephanie Luetters, a distinguished member of the Barton School’s dean’s advisory board, has been named the 2023-24 hall of fame chair. Luetters is an active philanthropist working for causes and projects that can make a difference in the community.