Author: James Schisler

The Barton School of Business is pleased to announce that Jeff Johnson has joined its Dean’s Advisory Board.

Johnson is the president of Flint Hills National Golf Club and brings with him extensive experience in business leadership. Prior to joining Flint Hills National in 2003, he served as an investment advisor with Raymond James Financial Services.

“Jeff’s energy, enthusiasm, and candor will be a valuable addition to the Dean’s Advisory Board,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “He is a smart, engaging presence who will help elevate the Barton School to new heights.”

As president of Flint Hills National, Johnson plays a key role in member recruitment, retention and generating operational revenue for the club. Also, he is part-owner of several restaurants in Lawrence, Manhattan, Wichita and parts of Texas.

The Barton School of Business is excited to announce that Chase Koch, an entrepreneur known for scaling disruptive, bottom-up solutions, has been named the school’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence and will serve as the James Schwartz Distinguished Keynote Speaker for spring 2025. Chase is executive vice president of Koch and is recognized for his work building transformative partnerships in business, technology, social change and music. He will speak at a fireside chat titled “The Sound of Change: Music as a Catalyst for Social Impact.”

The fireside chat is scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, followed by a networking reception in Woolsey Hall. The conversation will be moderated by Marquis Bradley, CEO of Omnicut Motivational Fitness. This event will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to hear firsthand the vision behind Somewhere Fest & Conference— a community-driven music festival that combines entertainment with social impact. Chase will share how the festival, now in its second year, has evolved into a movement that blends culture, artists and social change to bring people together and create value for local communities. 

This event is open to the public, and all are welcome to bring colleagues, associates and friends. This event is expected to reach maximum capacity quickly, so attendees are encouraged to RSVP as soon as possible to reserve their spot.

The Spero program at the Barton School of Business is the first in the world to offer 1EdTech TrustEd microcredential certified programs. 1EdTech is a global leader in educational technology, working to improve how people learn with digital tools. The certification guarantees that these courses are trusted and valuable, giving students an edge in their careers.

“Spero was created to help people transform their lives through meaningful jobs and business opportunities,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “We are proud that 1EdTech is recognizing our work. We’ll keep leading the way in micro-credentials, offering students new ways to grow and make a real difference in their lives and our community.”

Mark Esposito — global AI expert and the spring 2025 executive-in-residence at the Barton School of Business — will provide a keynote presentation, “The AI Revolution: Charting Our Course Through the Digital Frontier,” as part of the James Schwartz Lecture Series.

The keynote event is at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 16 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium.

Doors open at 9 a.m. Following the presentation, a book signing and reception will be held in the Woolsey Hall Atirum. All are welcome to attend the event at no additional charge.

The campus community is invited to join the Barton School of Business for a special book launch event celebrating Gerald H. Graham, Ph.D., and his latest work, “High-Performance Leadership Practices.” The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 in Woolsey Hall’s Fidelity Bank Ballroom.

Dr. Graham’s book distills five decades of leadership expertise into actionable strategies designed to inspire excellence and achieve extraordinary results. Recognized for his extensive contributions to leadership development, Dr. Graham’s insights provide high-performing leaders with tools to adapt and succeed in dynamic environments. Upon completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Graham joined the faculty at WSU in 1967. He is currently the R.P. Clinton Distinguished Professor of Management at Wichita State and has received the Kansas Board of Regents’ “Excellence in Teaching Award”

A renowned writer, Dr. Graham has authored four textbooks, titled, “Management: The Individual, The Organization, The Process,” “Business: The Process of Enterprise,” “Understanding Human Relations” and “The World of Business.” His textbooks are used in over 235 schools nationwide.

The event will feature remarks by Dr. Graham at 6:15 p.m., followed by a book signing at 7 p.m. Light refreshments and snacks will be served.

This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, email jenn.lopez@wichita.edu.

The Barton School of Business is excited to announce the launch of its new Mentor Pilot Program, which pairs students with distinguished alumni from the Barton School Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board. This initiative aims to foster valuable connections, stimulate personal and professional growth, build a strong sense of community and provide essential guidance to help shape the next generation of leaders.

“As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve come to realize how vital relationship-building is and how having someone in your corner can truly impact your mindset,” said Erin Cummings, president of the Barton School Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, serial entrepreneur, author and angel investor. “This program not only allows us to give back, but also gives us the opportunity to help shape the Barton School’s future by sharing our experiences and insights.”

The program will run through the spring 2025 semester, with mentors and mentees meeting monthly. Mentors will provide support in navigating academic and career challenges, offer feedback and accountability for the student’s goals and share valuable advice for both personal and professional development.

Dr. Mark Esposito has been selected as the keynote speaker for the spring 2025 James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series and J. Robert Young Executive-in-Residence, hosted by the Barton School of Business. Renowned for his expertise at the intersection of technology and economics, Dr. Esposito is an internationally recognized leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

His dynamic keynote presentation, titled “The AI Revolution: Charting Our Course Through the Digital Frontier,” will take place at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 16 in Woolsey Hall. The event is free and open to the public and will feature a networking session and book signing opportunity for attendees.

“Mark is at the forefront of AI and technological discourse worldwide,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “His insights on how the world is evolving and how we can stay ahead of these technological shifts are essential for anyone interested in the future of the economy and its impact on our lives.”

The campus community is invited to join the Barton School of Business for a special book launch event celebrating Gerald H. Graham, Ph.D., and his latest work, “High-Performance Leadership Practices.” The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom.

Dr. Graham’s book distills five decades of leadership expertise into actionable strategies designed to inspire excellence and achieve extraordinary results. Recognized for his extensive contributions to leadership development, Dr. Graham’s insights provide high-performing leaders with tools to adapt and succeed in dynamic environments. Upon completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Graham joined the faculty at WSU in 1967. He is currently the R.P. Clinton Distinguished Professor of Management at Wichita State and has received the Kansas Board of Regents’ “Excellence in Teaching Award”

A renowned writer, Dr. Graham has authored four textbooks, titled, “Management: The Individual, The Organization, The Process,” “Business: The Process of Enterprise,” “Understanding Human Relations” and “The World of Business.” His textbooks are used in over 235 schools nationwide.

The event will feature remarks by Dr. Graham at 6:15 p.m., followed by a book signing at 7 p.m. Light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, email jenn.lopez@wichita.edu.

Erin Cummings, a Barton School of Business alumna, has used knowledge gained at Wichita State to open an online semi-fine jewelry brand, Armine + Ambrose.

“My time at the Barton School taught me the power of mentorship and collaboration,” she said. “Those lessons laid the foundation for Armine + Ambrose, a brand brought to life by the remarkable women on my team — Michelle Hsiao, Ashlyn Verrette and Jenn Morrison — whose passion and expertise made this dream possible.”

Cummings is serial entrepreneur, author and angel investor. She earned a bachelor’s in business administration with an emphasis in real estate in 2009 from WSU. Joining the Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board in 2020, she assumed the presidency in 2022. Under her leadership, the board has strengthened partnerships and expanded outreach, positively impacting students, alumni and the community.

The Center for Management Development and Executive Education at the Barton School of Business has announced Denise Sherman as its new director. For the last six years, Sherman has served as the executive director at the Kansas African American Museum.

“Denise has been a pillar of professionalism, an advocate of cultural arts and a leader of community building, education, development and strategy,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “She is the ideal person to amplify and innovate the work of CMD.”