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REAL STORIES REAL IMPACT

ANNUAL

REPORT

2023-2024


DEAN’S

Welcome Message

The 2023-2024 academic year at the W. Frank Barton School of Business

has been a year of action and results. We built on our mission to create

practical, hands-on opportunities that prepare students for the challenges of

the real world. This annual report captures the stories of our community—

students, faculty, staff, alumni, and stakeholders—whose efforts have driven

meaningful progress.

In 2023-2024, the Barton School

expanded boundaries, built global

bridges, and empowered students

to thrive in a world of change.

We launched new academic programs and hosted the inaugural “Beyond”

Hall of Fame gala, raising over $800,000 to support student experiences

that build skills and strengthen the workforce pipeline. We welcomed

influential voices, like the co-founder of Apple, to inspire our students, and

expanded global connections through partnerships like the Global

Workplace MBA Initiative with the Berlin School of Economics and Law.

Our faculty’s scholarly work, highlighted in this report, tackles real-world

issues, from economic development to strategic human capital.

These accomplishments reflect the shared dedication of our

community to push beyond the expected and deliver outcomes

that matter. As you explore this report, you’ll see how these

efforts come together to create real stories with real impact.

Dr. Larisa Genin

Dean, W. Frank Barton School of Business

Wichita State University



INDEX

01

Who We Are

06

02

How We Lead

10

03

Fred Berry:

Cultivating a Legacy of Values

18

04

Actionable Learning,

Real Outcomes

26

PROMISE BRIDGE

Stretching over still waters in front of Wayne and Kay

Woolsey Hall business school building, the Promise

Bridge distinct “Y-shape” represents Wichita State’s

commitment to academics, research, and industry.

05

The Power

Behind Barton

47



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Who We Are

DEPARTMENT CHAIRS

LEADERSHIP

MEHMET BARUT

Chair, Finance Real

Estate and Decision

Sciences Department

SETH COCKRELL

Chair, Marketing

Department

CHRISTINE

PORTER

Director, School of

Accountancy

CHRISTOPHER

STONE

Chair, Management

Department

SIYU WANG

Chair, Economics

Department

PROGRAM DIRECTORS

Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall

MEHMET BARUT

Graduate Program

Director, Master of

Management Science

&. Supply Chain

Management

MIKE FLORES

Graduate Program

Director, Master

of Accountancy

JUSTIN KEELER

Graduate Program

Director, Master of

Science in Business

Analytics

GERY MARKOVA

Graduate Program

Director, Master of

Human Resource

Management

SIYU WANG

Graduate Program

Director, Master of

Arts in Economics and

Quantitative Analysis

DEAN'S OFFICE

CENTER DIRECTORS

LARISA GENIN

Dean

DUANE NAGEL

Senior Associate Dean

JOAN ADKISSON

Director, Finance and

Administration

CHRIS BROBERG

Associate Dean,

Faculty and Research

DOTTY HARPOOL

Executive Director

of Engagement

and Prominence

TIMOTHY CRAFT

Director, Koch Global

Trading Center

USHA HALEY

Director, Center for

International Business

Advancement

NANCY

KERSENBROCK

Interim Director, Center

for Entrepreneurship

STANLEY

LONGHOFER

Director, Center

for Real Estate

BEKAH SELBY-

LEACH

Director, Center for

Economic Devlopment

and Business Research

JENN LOPEZ

Executive Assistant

to the Dean

ERIC MOTA

Executive Director,

Strategic Affairs

JOHN PERRY

Associate Dean,

Accreditation and

Support Services

DENISE SHERMAN

Director, Center

for Management

Development (CMD)

and Executive

Education

JANET WOLCUTT

Director, Center for

Economic Education

6 7



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Who We Are

BARTON TODAY

The W. Frank Barton School of Business is the home of real and applied learning.

A place where students apply knowledge gained from faculty and business leaders

while developing professional and life skills. The Barton School is among the top 1%

of business schools worldwide, with double AACSB accreditation in business and

accounting. The school is housed in an award-winning building, Woolsey Hall, which

serves as a cornerstone for challenging yet supportive educational opportunities.

Woolsey Hall also features remarkable artwork, sculptures, gardens and The Promise

Bridge, a 300-foot-long pedestrian bridge over the water in front of the building.

CENTERS

CIBA

Center for International

Business Advancement

CEDBR

Center for Economic

Development and

Business Research

CMD

Center for Management

Development

CEE

Center for Economic

Education

CRE

Center for Real Estate

CFE

Center for

Entrepreneurship

KGTC

Koch Global

Trading Center

TOTAL STUDENTS

First Generation

Students

48%+

2,500+

Living Alumni

Worldwide

21,000+

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Double AACSB accreditation

Schools Worldwide

TOP 1%

Executives and

Partners Engaged

Undergraduate

Majors

Graduate Degree

Programs

300+

10

7

UNDERGRADUATE

PROGRAMS

► Accounting

► Economics*

► Entrepreneurship*

► Finance*

► General Business**

► Human Resource

Management**

► International

Business**

► Management**

► Management

Information Systems

► Marketing*

Annual Scholarship

Awards

Student Managed

Investment Fund

Donors

Wyatt

Ochs

$1.1MIL $500,000 750+

Bloomberg

Terminals

Articulation

Agreements

with Community

Colleges

12 25+

Centers

7 8

Certificate

Programs

GRADUATE

PROGRAMS

Mariana

Vasquez

* Real Estate emphasis available

** In-person and online

► Master of

Accountancy

*** STEM-designated programs

► Master in Economics

and Quantitative

Analysis***

► Master of Business

Administration

(Online and Hybrid)

► Master of Business

Analytics***

► Master of

Human Resources

Management (Online)

► Master of

Management Science

and Supply Chain

Management***

► Executive Master

of Business

Administration

8 9



Who We Are

BEYOND

On Saturday, February 17, 2024, we hosted our first-ever “Beyond”

Hall of Fame gala. The sold-out event took place at Mark Arts.

Not only were three members inducted into the inaugural class,

more than $800,000 was raised in support of the Barton School.

HOW WE

LEAD

W. Frank Barton, Fran Jabara, and Clark Bastian

The three inductees were 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, 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 proceeds from the “Beyond” Hall of Fame will

be invested in student experiences that promote

tangible outcomes for our students. In addition to

skill-building, these experiences will help attract and

retain student talent, ultimately strengthening the

workforce pipeline for businesses in Wichita and

across Kansas.

11



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Who We Are

“Investing in education is

an investment in the future.

When we channel resources

toward student experience

and success, as well as

scholarships, we nurture

innovation, leadership, and

societal progress. These

funds will empower aspiring

entrepreneurs, leaders,

and visionaries to dream

bigger, learn deeper, and

create lasting change.”

STEPHANIE LUETTERS

Chair, “Beyond” Hall of Fame

“It's a true honor to recognize the first three

inductees into the Barton School of Business

Hall of Fame. Each of them has played a

meaningful role in shaping the school, the

university, and our city. Their work and

example continue to influence those around

them, often in ways that go beyond what can

be measured. This isn’t just about honoring

past achievements—it’s about showing our

appreciation for the impact they’ve made, and

the path they’ve helped pave for others.”

DR. LARISA GENIN

Dean, W. Frank Barton School of Business

12

13



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Who We Are

BERLIN

In April 2024, the Global Workplace MBA Initiative,

—a long-standing partnership with the Berlin School

of Economics and Law. Since its launch in 2004, this

unique program has connected MBA students from

the U.S. and Germany through immersive, crosscultural

learning experiences designed to bridge

academic knowledge with global business practice.

Reaching this 20-year milestone is a testament to

Barton School’s commitment to preparing students

to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.

CENTER for

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

After five years with the College of Innovation

and Design, Wichita State University’s Center for

Entrepreneurship reintegrated with the Barton

School in 2024. This move is designed to align

more closely with Wichita State’s initiatives

to strengthen entrepreneurship programs,

provide immersive student experiences, and

engage with the entrepreneurial community.

The Center for Entrepreneurship, founded in

1977 by former Barton School Dean Fran Jabara, has

a nationwide legacy in entrepreneurial education.

As one of the first centers of its kind on a college

campus, it has been recognized for its programs

and impact on businesses across the country.

With its return to the Barton School, the center is

poised to build on this legacy and continue making

meaningful contributions to the Kansas economy. ▪

“For two decades, the Berlin Experience

has created an opportunity for students

to collaborate, network, and build

their professional skillsets. This is an

invaluable experience for our students

and more than 125 companies — many

of which are in Wichita — who have

benefited from the guidance and insights

offered by students in the program.”

Each year, the Global Workplace MBA Initiative brings

together a class of MBA students from the Barton School

and the Berlin School of Economics and Law. Berlin School

of Economics and Law students and Barton School students

collaborate in teams comprised of two to three students from

each school to develop action plans for a business in Kansas

or Berlin. The groups are formed in January when Barton

School students travel to Berlin to meet their teammates

and begin the project. Throughout the semester, they work

together to devise a business plan and analysis for their

assigned business. The yearly project ends when the Berlin

students visit Wichita to finalize their internationalization

plan and make presentations to the business owners.

In addition to providing students with applied learning

opportunities for a global workplace, each project helps

businesses in Kansas and Berlin discover opportunities

for selling their products internationally – impacting

their chances for growth. Approximately 60 Wichita

area companies have participated in the program. ▪

STEPHANIE COCKRELL

Director, Graduate Programs, Barton School of Business

“This partnership is invaluable to our

students and our communities. The

opportunity to share our city, learn about

Wichita and come together to make

a positive change and international

connections for our economy makes

this an initiative we are proud of.”

DR. SVEN RIPSAS

Chair, Global Workplace MBA Initiative

Professor of Entrepreneurship, Berlin

School of Economics and Law

In May 2024, Barton’s School of Accountancy

reinvigorated its annual accounting conference

under its new name, the Barton Accounting

Forum. The one-day conference was tailored for

accounting and finance professionals, as well as

students. Attendees benefitted from knowledge

from expert speakers and panelists, networking

opportunities, and eight hours of Continuing

Professional Education credits. Sessions included

a look into the future of Kansas economics and

its impact on the accounting industry landscape

and tax policy, HR and talent retention, artificial

intelligence’s transformative potential, and more. ▪

The Barton School and the Kansas Insurance and Financial Services

Education Foundation (KIFSEF) joined forces to create a new

Certificate in Financial Services. This certificate reflects the modern

and interconnected financial services sector, and comes as the result of

a direct need for banking, insurance, healthcare and other industries. As

part of the collaboration, KIFSEF will provide $1,000 scholarships for

students who complete this certificate. Proceeds from the BAF benefit

School of Accountancy faculty and students. ▪

14 15



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

BARTON SCHOOL HOSTS THE

THE GRAND

GATHERING

On June 13, 2024, the Barton School

hosted a one-of-a-kind event at

Woolsey Hall—the third annual

Grand Gathering, an invite-only

event dedicated to fostering Black talent

and leadership in Wichita. Inspired by a

vision to create a supportive community

for both newcomers and long-standing

residents, the Grand Gathering provides

Black professionals with access to mentorship,

professional development, and entrepreneurial

support while nurturing relationships

that help retain talent within the city.

Students attended and enjoyed the evening’s

energy, which included discussions on career

growth, networking opportunities, and ways

to give back to Wichita. Supported by a team

of community leaders—including Junetta

Everett, John Rolfe, Darryl Kelly, and Kaye Monk-

Morgan—the event reinforced the importance

of collective efforts for community success.

“I’m learning a lot more being here at the event,

knowing that there are people in the room that look like

me and have the same passion that I have” said one of

the students in attendance, Cassandra Onwugbufor.

The Grand Gathering additionally offered

a unique experience for Barton students to

engage, celebrate, and connect with leaders

who are shaping the future of Wichita. ▪

17



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Fred Berry: Cultivating a Legacy of Values

FRED BERRY

Cultivating a Legacy of Values

I started my business career with four

advantages: I made a wise choice of

parents, I grew up on a farm, I got a

great education, and I married the most

interesting woman you’re likely to meet!

Paul and Fred Berry arriving

in Wichita, June, 1957.

Plane is a Ryan Navion.

18 19



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Fred Berry: Cultivating a Legacy of Values

Fordson Tractor

Fred and Lovisa Berry,

Fred’s parents

Dad’s family had lived on a farm

near Wood River, Illinois for

many generations. Mother came

to town as a teacher in 1925. They

met soon after her arrival and

were married in 1927. Dad was a

true gentleman and a gentle man.

He was quiet and unassuming,

but he had a presence that people

sensed. He was known as Mr. Fred.

Even though he only had a ninthgrade

education, having dropped

out to help on the farm, he was

elected president of the local

school board twice. My brother,

Paul, and I received our high

school diplomas from Dad, even

though he didn't have one. He

has always been my role model.

Mother was the daughter of a

Methodist minister and a Sunday

School teacher. She was very

active in church affairs, serving in

a national women’s role in a time

when women were not usually

doing that. Needless to say, I came

by my interest in community

activities honestly! Dad was

well-read and a good public

speaker, but his English-teacher

wife worked on his ninth-grade

grammar for the rest of his life.

Our farm had been in the family

since the early 1800s. Dad was

born on it, and my brother and I

grew up on it. It was a wonderful

way to grow up. After receiving

my MBA and serving two years

in the Air Force during the

Korean War, I joined Dad’s farm

equipment business in 1954.

Although I went through a

period of claiming to maintain

my independence, it was always

obvious that Dad hoped his two

sons would join him. Although

our small farm was located near

Wood River, the Berry Tractor and

Equipment Co. was 25 miles away

across the Mississippi in St. Louis.

Dad and his much younger

brother, Art, had started the

business in 1928, representing

the Fordson tractor. Berry Tractor

was the wholesale distributor

for most of Illinois and Missouri.

It appointed and serviced retail

dealers, supporting them with

equipment and parts inventory,

sales and service training,

and marketing support.

The main product that Berry

Tractor sold was the Fordson

tractor, but it was a WWI design

that was quickly becoming

obsolete. By 1939, Henry Ford

and Englishman Harry Ferguson

worked together to create the

new Ford-Ferguson tractor.

Dad pivoted successfully. From

1939 to 1957, Berry Tractor sold

22,000 Ford-Ferguson and

Ferguson tractors (including

the war years when few were

manufactured). When Massey-

Harris merged with Ferguson in 1953, they no longer

needed independently owned distributors like

Berry Tractor. After persuading the new Massey-

Ferguson company to purchase his location and

retain his employees, Dad retired to the farm.

My brother Paul and I found ourselves newly

married, both with our first child, and unemployed.

We wanted to be in business for ourselves, as

was our family history. Looking back now, I’ve

realized that we inherited Dad’s culture without

even being conscious that it was a culture. It was

just the way we lived and the way Dad ran his

business. To us, that was just the way to do it.

We also wanted to create an enterprise, not just a

business. A business suggests an employer and an

employee, one working for the other. An enterprise

suggests a venture that all are in together. Everybody

has a role and shares a goal. Everybody prospers

when the enterprise prospers. Our culture includes

a somewhat unique set of values: humility, grace,

trust, empathy, and, of course, honesty. We promise

that no employee shall ever be criticized or penalized

for trying to do the right thing. As a reflection of

Dad’s culture, we stated from the beginning that our

intention was to “make a Christian statement in the

marketplace.” I hope we have succeeded in that.

Dad was willing to support Paul and me if we could

find the right opportunity. We felt like we knew

something about selling equipment, but we had a

desire for more personal customer relationships. As

a wholesaler, it was always frustrating not knowing

the farmer, who was the end customer. We decided

construction equipment (bulldozers, loaders, etc.)

would be a good place to be. In that industry, the

dealer bought from the manufacturer and sold

directly to the user. There was no middleman.

Searching for dealership opportunities, we wrote to

all the major manufacturers, including Caterpillar,

International Harvester, Allis Chalmers, and others.

We failed to find the right opportunity in the St.

Louis area, but International Harvester asked us

to look at one in Wichita. The Sam Denney Road

Machinery Co. was for sale by the First National

Bank Trust Department. Sam Denney had died the

year before, leaving no heirs and no plans, but he left

the bank as trustee of his estate. The business had

been struggling before his death, and more so now

that the bank was trying to manage it by committee.

The bank’s obligation was to sell the company and

leave Mrs. Denney with a comfortable retirement

and no company liabilities, but it had been unable to

find a qualified buyer. International Harvester was

also frustrated, needing a good dealer to support its

customers, so they were willing to give the franchise

to these two young brothers from St. Louis.

The timing was right. Dad could loan some of his

Massey-Ferguson proceeds to us to strengthen

the new balance sheet, and his excellent credit

record allowed him to assume the mortgage from

Mrs. Denny on the new building on West Street.

Sam H. Denney, 1949

Fred Sr. with a

Massey-Ferguson 35

Berry Tractor and Equipment,

Wichita, KS, 1959

20 21



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Fred Berry: Cultivating a Legacy of Values

Berry Board Meeting, 1972

The deal closed with the bank on June 1, 1957, and

I started my entrepreneurial career. We flew to

Wichita, as you can see. We always flew, and we

promised the grandparents we would return to visit

often (see sidebar about our aviation history).

The company had 50 employees, but our business

plan could only afford 40, so that announcement

was the subject of the very first employee meeting.

Some sensed they might not make the cut and

found their own new employment. As far as

we could tell, all ten landed on their feet.

I was always sensitive to the need to recognize one's

own strengths and weaknesses. Although not a

student of poetry by a long shot, I was impressed by a

quote from Scotsman Robert Burns: “Oh, the gift that

God could give us, to see ourselves as others see us.” I

knew I was a lover, not a fighter, so we brought a

strong office/credit manager with us from Dad’s crew

in St. Louis. Herb Weismiller was just what I needed,

and he played a key role in the company until his

retirement 25 years later. He was also our credit

manager, and the salesmen called him the

“Wedgeheaded Dutchman” because they could not sell

him a bad deal.

Strengths and weaknesses were harder to evaluate

with Paul. He had a dual major in business and music,

with a minor in French. He was an accomplished

pianist, and in his few years in Wichita, he became the

Fred Sr., Fred Jr.,

Paul Berry, 1957

chairman of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra board.

He tried to be our sales manager (and could not have

tried harder!), but he was just not cut out for it. After

a few years, he decided to move on to other things.

Through all the changes, my wife, Sue, was always my

sounding board. Although a full-time mother, she

followed the business closely from the very beginning.

She had a keen sense of people, and she saw the

shortcomings of the International Harvester

executives early on. As we became involved in the

equipment industry and interacted with other

ownership couples, the wives could not believe Sue

did not actually work in the company.

It did not take long to learn that Sue was right:

International Harvester, although very strong in farm

equipment at the time, was not strong in construction

equipment. When the owner of White Star Machinery

in Wichita decided to sell in 1962, I saw an

opportunity to diversify but still sell to contractor

customers.

White Star specialized in smaller equipment and

construction supplies, which was a good fit. I got to

know the owner, Russ Clark, through our church and

through our local trade association, and I let him

know my interest in the company. He was willing to

sell with installment payments, which made it

possible for us to buy. I had no idea that the new

acquisition would lead us to become a dealer for a

new compact loader called Bobcat.

The Bobcat® loader had come on the market in North

Dakota in 1962. One of our salesmen, Paul Drees, saw

one for the first time at a show in St. Louis. He came

back telling us that it was a machine we ought to

investigate. We were impressed enough to contact

Bobcat. I received a wonderful letter from them that

said, “Mr. Berry, you’re the furthest-away dealer we

have so far.” We became the dealer for Kansas in 1965,

largely through Paul’s influence. Once again, someone

with skills I did not have made a great contribution to

our growth.

I always wanted to focus on one thing and do it well,

so we hired a dedicated Bobcat salesman at White

Star Machinery, and Bobcat sales flourished. When

the Bobcat Company was soon ready to expand into

Oklahoma, they gave White Star the opportunity to

become the dealer for the eastern half of the state.

This gave me a chance to do what has been my

greatest satisfaction in business: watching other

people grow. I thought the young man on the rental

desk had the potential to open the store in Tulsa, and

he accepted the challenge. To this day, our Tulsa

location is still very successful.

The White Star acquisition brought us another key

figure in our history. Clair Crandall was their top

salesman. We saw his potential and made him the

sales manager in Wichita. Later, when my brother,

Paul, left, Clair became president of Berry Tractor,

which was a great contribution to our growth.

Still open to diversification opportunities, we turned

to the industrial lift truck market. The customers

were different (a good thing), but the product support

required to service them was the same (also a good

thing). We love the product support part of the

business.

The Yale® line was available, and they were willing to

let us sell their equipment out of the Berry Tractor

facility on West Street. We had to have three

dedicated people—a salesperson, a service person,

and a parts person—and that was fair and reasonable.

I agreed with them on the focus aspect, so that’s what

we did. Becoming a Yale dealer led us to John Engels,

a Wichita State University graduate that had a lasting

impact on our company. He started as a lift truck

salesman and worked his way up to managing Berry

Material Handling. Later, during a difficult time in the

eighties, he became president of White Star, and as

the Bobcat connection grew, he became vice president

over all those divisions. He was with us 43 years.

About the time of the Yale agreement, another

growth opportunity presented itself. The crane

company we represented asked us to take over the

Colorado territory. The company’s sales

representative, Max Graham, joined us as a partner,

and that became another successful expansion. We

called it Empire Cranes, and though we no longer sell

those cranes, we still have a presence in Colorado with

our Bobcat of the Rockies division.

By 1970, we had four separate corporations: Berry

Tractor, White Star Machinery, Berry Material

Handling, and Empire Cranes. It was time to

consolidate and create Berry Companies, Inc. Now

called divisions, each had its own president or general

manager with great autonomy over the business. I

love delegation, although I’ve learned that authority

must always go with responsibility. In 1970, we also

formed the Berry Foundation. We had always given a

minimum of 5% of our profit to charities, but this

gave us a more organized way to do it. To this day, the

first gift usually goes to the United Way in each city

where we have employees.

Unbelievably, International Harvester went out of

business in 1982, falling victim to the 1980s recession.

Fortunately for us, that led to the acquisition of

International’s construction equipment line by a

Japanese company called Komatsu®. Komatsu was

trying to enter the U.S. market, and it is a far better

product.

In 1982, another valuable leader joined our company

when Judy Worrell became my secretary. She had

been at Wichita State University for one year, and she

Fred Berry, 1971

22 23



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Fred Berry: Cultivating a Legacy of Values

continued taking courses one at a time. She kept

growing in her responsibilities at the company and

received her finance degree at age 39. We made her an

officer with broad responsibilities—finance, human

resources, real estate, legal…you name it. She retired

as Vice-President Administration/Treasurer after 38

years with the company.

to watch from a distance as Chairman Emeritus.

Walter, recently turned 65, is Executive Chaiman and

corporate pilot, a title I enjoyed for 40 years. His son,

Jon, is president, and his other sons, Adam and David,

also serve as corporate executives. Walter is now

Executive Chairman, and Steve Meadows, another key

player, is CEO until his planned retirement in 2025.

By the late eighties, Berry Companies had become an

equipment dealer for Bobcat, Komatsu, and Yale (now

Hyster-Yale), when Yale acquired Hyster® later in the

“dirty eighties”). During that time, our son, Walter,

and son-in-law, Dan Scheer, also joined the company.

The third generation was now in place. Walter started

in Denver and Dan in Tulsa. Both had experienced

other employment before joining us, which is a

tradition we still find important. I passed the title of

president to Walter on my 65th birthday in 1993.

Dan became the president of the Berry Tractor

division, and he found the opportunity to

manufacture a construction broom. Berry Tractor

was a strong dealer for the competitive broom,

but a former employee came to Dan and said that,

with capital, he could build a better broom. Dan

agreed, and they called it Superior Broom. Later,

it was decided that Dan and our daughter, Kate,

would take the manufacturing business on their

own. That let Walter and his family keep the rest of

Berry Companies. Berry Tractor saw some expansion

opportunities with Komatsu, but the greater

opportunities have come from Bobcat. In 1999, Bobcat

asked us to take over the Houston market. That is

when the transition of leadership to Walter really took

place. Four more opportunities followed in Kansas

City, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Indianapolis.

As of this year, the company has 66 locations in nine

states, with nearly 1,300 employees. I have continued

Along the way, WSU has been an important partner.

As a member of the Young Presidents Organization

in the 1960s, I came to know Dean Fran Jabara and

his Center for Entrepreneurship. Later, we started

using Dean Gerald Graham for executive training

and Professor Don Hackett for sales training. Don

was an Oklahoma rancher and a natural for our

salesmen. I was a member of the WSU Foundation’s

National Advisory Council for 30 years. Although

Sue and I were transplants to Wichita, ten members

of our family have degrees from WSU. Our

company has even more. Our grandson, David, was

even the Barton Scholar for the class of 2015.

As the fourth generation assumes leadership, I

am proud to see Berry Companies hold fast to the

values that have been foundational to our success.

The primary purpose of business is to serve society

by serving the customer. I think that focus is one of

the reasons why we have been successful. We have

always strived to offer a product or service that people

need and are willing to pay for, and in a manner that

makes them want to do business with us. But with

that said, there is something more important than a

product or a service. Berry Companies has succeeded

because we try to do what’s right every time, even

sometimes at the cost of profit. That’s our goal: to

be known for our humility, grace, and honesty.

Dad would be proud to see his culture

continuing into the fourth generation. ▪

Fred and

Sue (2017

and 2018).

Fred, son,

Walter,

grandson,

Jon, and

greatgrandson,

Jackson—four

generations

of Berrys.

As Berry Companies grew geographically, flying

became essential to keep close personal contact

with our people. Thankfully, my family has

always loved aviation. My interest in flying was

sparked by my Uncle Art Berry, who soloed in a

Beechcraft Travel Air in 1929. My parents gave

me flying lessons for high school graduation in

1945. By the summer of 1946, I visited Wichita

for the first time to pick up a new airplane for

our dealer with a 3-day old license! My brother,

Paul, also became a pilot, as well as my wife,

Sue, and both of our sons, Walter and Frank.

Today, Walter flies a small Cessna Citation.

TBM 700 turboprop, Fred’s

last personal airplane.

Walter Berry family with Fred and

Sue: Katherine Berry Lewis, Jonathan

Berry, Polly Berry, Walter Berry, Fred

and Sue, Adam Berry, David Berry.

24 25



Actionable Learning, Real Outcomes

ACTIONABLE

LEARNING

REAL

OUTCOMES

Here, education doesn’t stop at the classroom door.

From entrepreneurial challenges to global

experiences, Barton students and alumni are

writing success stories that inspire and lead.

EXECUTIVE

in-residence

Curt Coffman

FALL 2023

Curt Coffman, founder of The Coffman

Organization and co-author of New York Times

bestsellers, “First Break All the Rules: What

the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently”

and “Culture Eats Strategy for Lunch” served

as our Fall 2023 Executive-in-Residence.

As founder of The Coffman Organization, he provides

workplace consulting to help organizations around

the world engage and focus their talent to create

enduring competitive advantage. Through employee

engagement, management development, and talent

selection and retention solutions, Coffman combines

data analysis with psychology to elevate companies.

This residency focused on finding and

amplifying your personal strengths and making

them the basis for decision-making.

Launched in 2021, the Executive-in-

Residence program provides Barton

School students, faculty and the Wichita

community with perspectives, mentorship

and knowledge from industry leaders.

Tadd Fowler

SPRING 2024

Tadd Fowler, Senior Vice President at The Procter &

Gamble Company, was our Spring 2024 Executivein-Residence.

Before joining P&G in 2005, he served

as a partner at PwC, providing counsel to clients on

international tax matters, mergers, and acquisitions.

Fowler delivered a keynote presentation

titled “Procter & Gamble: How a 187-Year Old

Company Stays Relevant in a Changing World,”

conducted mentoring sessions for students,

delivered guest lectures, and participated in

meetings with Barton School leadership to

discuss program and curriculum innovations.

27



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Actionable Learning, Real Outcomes

ENTREPRENEUR

in-residence

Since its launch in 2021, every

Entrepreneur-in-Residence provides industry

perspectives to Barton School students,

faculty and the Wichita community

through mentorship, networking,

knowledge sharing sessions and fireside

chat/keynotes in entrepreneurship,

technology and innovation.

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER

AD ASTRA

TECHNOLOGY

SUMMIT

FALL 2023

Gene and

Yolanda Camarena

SPRING 2024

We doubled up on knowledge, experience, and

leadership when we asked Gene and Yolanda

Camarena to serve as our dual Entrepreneursin-Residence

for the Spring 2024 semester. Gene

serves as President and CEO of La Raza Pizza,

Inc., while Yolanda is a leader with career as a

social justice and equity advocate in education.

Together, they formed a team that amplified our

entrepreneurial programming. Their keynote

presentation was titled “Unlocking Success:

Key Insights from Visionary Entrepreneurs on

Building, Innovating, and Transforming Futures.”

Chef Pyet

FALL 2023

The Barton School got an injection of flavor in

Fall 2023 when Pyet DeSpain, the first winner of

Gordon Ramsay’s “Next Level Chef” was named

our Entrepreneur-in-Residence. She presented

her life’s journey and the experiences that came

from her passion and business mixing together.

Pyet is a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi

Nation Tribe. She grew up on the Osage Indian

Reservation before moving with her family to Kansas

City, Kansas. Her passion for cooking developed

as a child helping in the kitchens of her family’s

taquerias and restaurants in Kansas City. Her life’s

work is dedicated to Indigenous Fusion Cuisine,

where she combines food from her heritage (Native

American and Mexican). In 2015, DeSpain started

Pyet’s Plate, her personal chef business to promote

passion for wellness, nutrition and quality of food.

Steve Jobs and

Steve Wozniak

in their garage.

ca. 1975.

Photo © Apple

Computer

Harnessing

the Power of

Analytics and

AI to Transform

Business Panel

In September, we hosted

a panel discussion titled

“Harnessing the Power of

Analytics and AI to Transform

Business” featuring industry

experts in analytics and

artificial intelligence. The

discussion was moderated

by Richard Dinkel,

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

at Koch Industries.

PANELISTS

Rafiq Ajani

Chief Data and

Analytics Officers,

Koch, Inc.

October 2023 brought another technology and

business legend to our campus. The Barton

School partnered with FlagshipKansas.Tech to

host the Ad Astra Technology Summit featuring

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple. Along

with a fireside chat from Wozniak, the summit

included sessions on workforce development,

computational thinking in K-12 classrooms and

other topics for technology sector professionals,

entrepreneurs, and the business community.

Lucas Randall

Chief Information

Officer, Flint Hills

Resources

Nikhil Krishnan

Group Vice President

of Products, C3 AI

28 29



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Actionable Learning, Real Outcomes

Fabiola Ayarza-Anorga

Management and Human Resource Management,

W. Frank Barton School of Business

Cassandra Onwugbufor

Accounting, W. Frank

Barton School of Business

Chloe Brown

Graphic Design,

College of Fine Arts

An Nguyen

International Business,

W. Frank Barton

School of Business

Amy Nguyen

International Business,

W. Frank Barton

School of Business

Stacey Le

Management Information

Systems, W. Frank Barton

School of Business

Jude Khaldi

Graphic Design,

College of Fine Arts

WIDENER GLOBAL

LEADERS PROGRAM

The Widener Global Leaders Program (WGLP) saw its largest cohort

in its three-year history. Twelve students from the Barton School,

the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the College

of Fine Arts participated in the interdisciplinary program.

The primary objective of the WGLP is to provide

students with a multidisciplinary educational

journey encompassing business, communication,

and the arts throughout their college experience.

WGLP programming includes networking events;

mentorship from business leaders, faculty and former

WGLP graduates; and connections to business,

communication, and artistic leaders. This year, the

program also featured visits to organizations such

2023-2024

cohort

Shala Johnson

Integrated Marketing Communications,

Fairmont College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Shaybree Hanes

Graphic Design,

College of Fine Arts

Suzette Cabrales-

Hernandez

Management, W. Frank

Barton School of Business

Alyson Goodwin

Business Finance Real

Estate, W. Frank Barton

School of Business

Giselle Graciano

Human Resource Management

& Management, W. Frank

Barton School of Business

as Textron Aviation, KMUW, Wichita Symphony

Orchestra, Wichita Art Museum, Jajo and KWCH. The

list of industry leaders that shared insights with the

2023-24 cohort includes Curt Coffman, Strength-

Based Coach and Barton School Executive-in-

Residence, Pyet DeSpain, first winner of “Next Level

Chef,” Erin Cummings, founder of YESyoga, Jamie

Harrison, Chief Growth Officer at Meritrust Credit

Union and others. ▪

CUMMINGS

STUDENT MANAGED

INVESTMENT FUND

A Promising Start

The Cummings Student Managed

Investment Fund (CSMIF) is a student-led

group for hands-on experience investing

in stocks, bonds, and other financial assets.

The program is designed to involve student

participants directly in the investment

decision-making process, and works as a

complement to classroom concepts and

experiences.

After significant research and training, the

students made their first investment in April

2024: They invested $250,000, allocating 60%

to equities and 40% to fixed income. Students

honed their analytical skills through monthly

investment discussions and presentations,

with the Executive Investment Team making

final decisions. The fund’s early success reflects

its impact in bridging academic learning

with real-world financial management. ▪

Founding Group: CSMIF Leadership

James Grice,

President, CSMIF

George Giem, Vice

President, CSMIF

Diego Martinez,Secretary,

CSMIF

CSMIF Members At Large

Mason Albers

Rafael Aviles

Christopher Barnes

Tyler Bushnell

Camden Clure

Simon Deaver

Brayden Elmer

Michael Goldberg

Shiva Kumar Gundeboyena

Gannon Hall

CSMIF Support Staff

Paul Attwater, Industry

Faculty Advisor, CSMIF

Jenn Lopez, Program

Manager, CSMIF

Christopher Norton,

Chief Investment Officer/

Treasurer, CSMIF

Uriah Veach, VP

of Recruitment and

Membership, CSMIF

Kyle Sutton, VP of Marketing

and Communications, CSMIF

Adam Key

Nicole Macias

Manas Madanambedu

James Peterson

Patrick Roell

Dudley Thomas

Kenny Truong

Karthik-Sai Twarakavi

Justin Van

Tanner Williams

Selena Singh, Student

Assistant, CSMIF

30 31



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Strategic Marketing students tackle

real-world challenges with Helm

In Fall 2023, students in the Strategic Marketing

Capstone course partnered with Helm to investigate

consumer attitudes toward extended warranties.

Headquartered in Plymouth, Helm develops brand

marketing and merchandise programs, rewards

and incentive programs, full supply chain services

and retail network solutions. This semesterlong

project provided students with hands-on

experience, combining academic research with

industry insights to explore consumer behavior in

the electronics, appliance, and vehicle sectors.

Through advanced quantitative and qualitative

methods, students analyzed over 300,000 consumer

reviews, conducted interviews with industry

experts, and surveyed more than 600 consumers

across the nation. Additionally, an experimental

study helped identify key factors influencing

warranty purchase decisions. Their findings were

presented to Helm in a comprehensive report

and through a Power BI dashboard, offering an

interactive platform for data exploration. ▪

“This project allowed our students to

apply strategic marketing concepts to

real-world problems, while providing

Helm with actionable insights into

the extended warranty market.”

SINA AGHAIE, Assistant Professor, Department

of Marketing, Barton School of Business

Actionable Learning, Real Outcomes

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

WHERE BUSINESS IS BOOMING

At Wichita State, school pride takes center stage every

year at the Clash of the Colleges, a tradition that brings

together students from across all colleges for a day of

competition and camaraderie. Barton School students join

in on the fun, displaying their teamwork and enthusiasm

through a series of challenges, from physical feats to

fun games, all in pursuit of winning the coveted title of

Clash Champion or the team-orientated Spirit Award.

The event not only fosters school spirit but also

embodies the Barton School’s Clash mantra, "Business

is Booming." Students emerge with stronger bonds,

new friendships, and unforgettable memories. For many,

the Clash of the Colleges is a reminder of the supportive

community at Wichita State, uniting students through

shared goals and lasting Barton School pride.

“The energy at Clash of the Colleges is unbeatable,” Barton

School Dean Dr. Larisa Genin shared. “Watching our

students compete alongside their classmates and showing

our school pride is an experience that stays with you.” ▪

REAL-WORLD SUPPLY CHAIN

PROBLEM-SOLVING WITH KOCH INC.

Graduate students in Na Rea Cho’s DS 790:

Logistics and Warehouse Analytics took on realworld

challenges this semester through two

in-depth case studies with Koch Inc. The case

studies focused on inventory management and

transportation strategy, gave students practical

experience in supply chain optimization, financial

analysis, and strategic decision-making.

“This problem-solving experience

puts our students ahead of the

curve—balancing quantitative data

and qualitative insights to solve

real-world problems is a soughtafter

skill for many organizations.”

NA REA CHO, Assistant

Professor at the Barton School

For the Inventory Management Case Study,

students tackled the consolidation of INVISTA’s

operations from Orange, TX to Victoria, TX.

They were tasked with selecting an optimal

supplier portfolio for rerouting raw materials,

considering market conditions and Return on

Invested Capital (ROIC). This exercise sharpened

their skills in evaluating suppliers and making

data-driven decisions based on market analysis.

In the Transportation Management Case Study,

students explored the negotiation of linehaul rates

with a key carrier as North American trucking

fuel prices declined. They examined market

trends and recommended cost-saving strategies,

emphasizing both financial performance and

service quality. This hands-on learning provided a

comprehensive understanding of the complexities

of supply chain decision-making, preparing

students for leadership roles in the field. ▪

Companies hiring our students for

full time positions and internships.

5 Senses Hospitality

Aloft Hotels

Accuweather

Allen, Gibbs & Houlik

Airbus

Amazon

Apple

Ascension

Bank Of America

Cargill

Cisco

Spirit AeroSystems

Deloitte

Emprise Bank

Enterprise Holdings

Evergy

EY

Fastenal

Fidelity Bank

Intrust Bank

J.P. Morgan

Kcoe

Koch, Inc.

McCurdy Auction

Meritrust

Credit Union

NetApp

Pinion

Profit Builders

Raymond Oil

Company

Restaurant

Management

Company

Seaboard

Corporation

Spirit AeroSystems

Texas Instruments

Textron Aviation

Unilever

Visit Wichita

Wichita Art Museum

Wolters Kluwer

Yum!

and many more...

32 33



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Actionable Learning, Real Outcomes

PROFESSIONAL

EDGE

Professional EDGE continues to be the cornerstone of

offerings from the Office of Career and Professional

Development (OCPD). Sponsored by Meritrust Credit

Union, Professional EDGE offers public speaking sessions,

company tours, professional online presence training, and

various workshops to advance professional careers. ▪

CAREER FAIR SUCCESS

The Barton School career fairs gave

students a chance to connect with

national and regional businesses

looking for the best business talent.

OCPD SPONSORS

Meritrust Credit Union

Deloitte

Bank of America

McCurdy Real Estate & Auction

Spirit Aerosystems

Textron

Fastenal

Seaboard Corporation

Evergy

Baird Docking Group

Profit Builders

IMA

Enterprise Mobility

Navigating the Business

cocktail hour workshop.

2023-24 CAREER FAIRS

95 430+

Employers Represented Student Attendees

Open House (left),

Etiquette luncheon with

Kianga Crowley (right).

Excel Workshops with Beth Cummingham (middle

left) Office of Career and Professional Development &

Shocker Career Accelerator Information Session (top).

HR Panel on Interview Tips and Salary

Negotiation with Michelle Gifford of Textron

Aviation, Vicki Plan of Meritrust Credit Union,

and Kat Rodriquez of Wichita State University.

34 35



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Actionable Learning, Real Outcomes

BARTON SCHOOL HOSTS WICHITA-AREA HIGH SCHOOL

DECA COMPETITION

We welcomed over 200 high school students for the

Wichita-area DECA competition. DECA is a student-led,

international organization that focuses on developing

leadership skills in college students within the business field.

The event was filled with ambition, enthusiasm, and achievement. Dean Larisa

Genin set a motivating tone for the day with a warm welcome that underscored

the Barton School’s dedication to fostering young talent. Competition rounds

followed, challenging students to demonstrate their skills in business scenarios.

After a midday break, students gathered to hear keynote speaker Paul Attwater of

Morgan Stanley, who shared insights on career growth, resilience, and leadership.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating outstanding

performances. Hosting the DECA competition reflects the Barton

School’s ongoing role as a vital community partner in developing skilled,

passionate professionals ready to shape tomorrow’s business world.

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, Kansas,

on February 23rd. Eight WSU students won eleven medals qualifying them

for the national competition in Austin, Texas, from April 20th to 23rd.

“Seeing our students excel on such a competitive

stage is a testament to their hard work and

dedication. Nathan, Tayshaun, and Raven are part of

the original students who started DECA at the Barton

School in 2022. Their success, and the success of the

entire chapter, not only reflects their individual talents

but also speaks volumes about their leadership.”

PATTIE BRADLEY

Group’s Faculty Advisor and Barton School's Associate Educator in Economics

Congratulations to Nathan Holloway, George

Giem, and Ronish Rasaily, who placed in the top

10 nationally in their competitive events. Their

achievements exemplify the dedication, talent,

and strategic thinking fostered through DECA. ▪

GEORGE GIEM: 1st place

in Corporate Finance

MALEY HANSEN and

GRACE SKELTON: Third

place in the Marketing

Communications team event

MALEY HANSEN: 2nd place

in Marketing Management

NATHAN HOLLOWAY: 1st

place in Hotel and Lodging,

2nd place in Restaurant and

Food Service Management

RAVEN McPHERSON and

VALISHIA LANDRUM:

2nd place in the Event

Planning team event

RAVEN McPHERSON:

2nd place in Human

Resource Management

RONISH RASAILY: 1st place

in Travel and Tourism, 2nd

place in Hotel and Lodging

TAYSHAUN WASHINGTON:

1st place in Financial

Accounting, 2nd place

in Corporate Finance

36 37



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Actionable Learning, Real Outcomes

COLDPULSE

Adam Key, Third Place

ENVISION

ART INSTALLATION

During the 2023-2024 academic year,

the W. Frank Barton School of Business

at Wichita State University continued

its enriching collaboration with the

Envision Arts Program, showcasing

the talents of visually impaired artists

in Woolsey Hall. This partnership

underscores the Barton School's dedication

to fostering creativity and inclusivity

within its academic environment.

Patrick McCowan

Gretchen Howarth

In Fall 2023, the third-floor gallery featured the

works of Patrick McCowan, a Wichita native

known for his two-dimensional art that explores

spatial relationships and pushes three-dimensional

boundaries. McCowan's pieces, both visually

intriguing and mentally stimulating, have been

celebrated for their dynamic compositions.

In Spring 2024, the gallery introduced the art

of Gretchen Howarth, who, despite her vision

loss due to Stargardt disease, began creating

landscapes with pastels in 2019 and later expanded

to acrylics on canvas. Her works, inspired by

nature, have been featured in multiple exhibitions,

including Wichita's First Friday events and the

Envision Arts Gallery. In 2022, Howarth received

first place in the American Printing House

InSights Art contest for the visually impaired.

This ongoing collaboration with the Envision

Arts Program not only enriches the cultural

fabric of the Barton School but also provides

a platform for artists with visual impairments

to share their perspectives to a new audience.

By integrating diverse artistic expressions into

the academic setting, the Barton School fosters

an environment of innovation and inclusivity,

inspiring students, faculty, and visitors alike. ▪

Since 2007, the Shocker New Venture

Competition has offered aspiring

entrepreneurs a unique opportunity

to gain real-world experience. It allows

participants to pitch their startup ideas, refine

their business strategies, and gain valuable

insights into what it takes to launch a successful

company. The competition is hosted and organized

by the Center for Entrepreneurship, dedicated

to fostering entrepreneurial endeavors.

Adam Key, an entrepreneurship major at the Barton

School and founder of ColdPulse, showcased his

ingenuity in the 2024 competition. ColdPulse

Orthotics, a cooling insole designed for endurance

athletes, captured the attention of judges and

investors alike. Adam delivered a business pitch that

secured a third-place finish in the competition and

$4,000. This recognition highlights the innovation

and dedication behind his venture. As ColdPulse

Orthotics continues to evolve, Adam’s achievement

serves as inspiration for future innovators eager

to make their mark in the startup world. ▪

38 39



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Actionable Learning, Real Outcomes

SCHOLARS

The $50,000 Clay Barton Scholarship, one of the largest business

scholarships in Kansas, is awarded annually to a graduating high school

senior. Established in memory of Clay Barton by his father, W. Frank

Barton, the scholarship supports outstanding students in their pursuit

of a business degree. Recipients are chosen through the Allen, Gibbs,

and Houlik Scholarship Competition, a rigorous process showcasing

their leadership, academic excellence, and career aspirations.

BARTON

JABARA

The Professor Fran Jabara

Endowed Scholarship provides

$32,700 to two students

majoring or double-majoring in

entrepreneurship. Funded by the

legacy of Fran Jabara, a visionary in

entrepreneurship education, this

scholarship empowers recipients

to achieve their entrepreneurial

dreams and pursue meaningful

opportunities in business.

“The Barton School

provided me with

exceptional business

fundamentals and realworld

opportunities to

apply what I have learned.

Owning a company

demonstrates my passion for inventiveness

and allows me to bring my ideas to life.”

ABBY REXFORD, West Jessamine High

School, Wilmore, Kentucky

“Having this scholarship

will relieve a lot of

the financial stress

associated with college,

helping me have a much

more enjoyable college

experience and allowing

me to save money for my dance studio.”

In February, the Barton School stopped by

Maize High School for a big surprise. Little did

Faith Swart know that she was about to receive

the 2024 Clay Barton Scholarship–one of the

largest business scholarships in Kansas.

ANNIKA LINDEMAN, Eisenhower

High School, Goddard, Kansas

“I was not expecting it at all. Now that

I’ve won it, I’m able to do so much

more. This will open up opportunities

like internships, a sorority and clubs

that I wouldn’t have had time for.”

FAITH SWART

Barton School and Maize High School officials

joined together to present Swart with a ceremonial

scholarship check of $50,000 during one of

her classes. Along with being an exemplary

student, Swart is president of the National

Honor Society, a member of Student Council

and Student Ambassador organizations and

participates in track and cross country at Maize

High School. She plans to major in marketing.

MAYCE CASHMAN

Andale High School

Finance

KAYLA GANN

Smithville High School

(Smithville, MO)

Accounting

KOCH

The Koch Scholars Program was

awarded to exceptional students through

WSU’s Cohen Honors College. Recipients

receive $30,000 over four years and

access to professional development,

service-learning, and leadership

opportunities. This program emphasizes

innovation and talent development. ▪

40 41



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Actionable Learning, Real Outcomes

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

MALEY HANSEN

Economics & Marketing Major

Emphasis in Data-Driven Marketing & Intelligence

“Everything I had at my

disposal allowed me to grow

personally and professionally.

And, I was pushed to be

the best I could be.”

For many Barton School undergraduate

students, applying the learning they

receive in the classroom is an important

next step in their development. For

Barton sophomore Maley, it is an immediate

and critical process for her success as owner

of ICY-T—a fresh shaved snow business in

Wichita’s College Hill neighborhood.

“I’ve already learned a lot about economics, marketing,

and data analysis, which have been really helpful for

running ICY-T,” said Hansen, who opened ICY-T ten

days after graduating high school. “The marketing

courses gave me great ideas for promotions and

building a brand that people love. My economics

background helps me make smart decisions about

pricing and managing finances. Being involved in

different clubs and activities has also really boosted my

leadership skills, helping me become more confident

and organized. Whether it’s leading a team for a class

project or managing my own business, the skills I’ve

gained at the Barton School have been invaluable.”

In addition to owning ICY-T, Hansen serves as the

Vice President of Collegiate DECA chapter at WSU.

She is also a member of the Barton School’s Dean’s

Undergraduate Advisory Board and Delta Gamma

sorority. In 2023, Hansen was awarded the Harry Gore

Memorial Scholarship, one of the most prestigious and

coveted scholarship awards in the United States.

“The encouragement and guidance from faculty have

pushed me to explore and take on challenges I never

thought possible,” said Hansen. “My coursework at Barton School has changed my life. Through the school,

I have also been introduced to a network of mentors that I never imagined possible. All of this has made me

understand my career path and has reinforced my desire to make a positive impact through business.” ▪

GISELLE GRACIANO

Human Resource Management and Management Major

Many students find that they can

make a big impact right away at

the Barton School of Business.

One such student is Giselle

Graciano, a Human Resource Management

and Management major set to graduate in

Spring 2025. She is already combining her

academic pursuits with impactful professional

and community roles. Her journey has

been fueled by a vision of success and a

commitment to making a difference, not

only for herself but for future generations.

Giselle’s professional experience has been enhanced

by multiple internships and co-op opportunities. In

March 2023, she transitioned into a Talent Acquisition

Internship at Bombardier Aerospace and currently

works as an HR Co-op at Koch Industries. Through this

rotational role, Giselle has gained real-world experience

in over 10 HR functions, including HR Data &

Analytics and Global Mobility. "Each role has deepened

my skills in HR and expanded my understanding

of strategic business functions," she shared.

Her extracurricular involvement has been equally

impressive. Giselle serves as President of the

WSU Society for Human Resource Management

Student Chapter and has participated as a Barton

Business Ambassador and a member of the Dean’s

Undergraduate Student Advisory Board. A graduate

of the Widener Global Leaders Program, she has

also dedicated time to volunteering, organizing

donation drives for Family Promise of Greater Wichita and coaching with G2 Heat Softball Academy.

“Being part of the Barton School is a privilege,” Giselle commented. “The support

here has been crucial to my personal and professional growth.” ▪

"As a first-generation college

student, my success meant

a lot to my family. I was

confident that I could succeed

at Barton School and that

every effort I put in paid off.”

42 43



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

Actionable Learning, Real Outcomes

GRADUATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

GRADUATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

DYLAN

THIESSEN

Master of Business Administration

Human Resources Management

BA in Management Information Systems

Minors in Management

and Honors College

What is your current role?

As Innovation Design Leader at Koch Industries, I own

programs to accelerate our ability to learn and make

decisions when there’s a lot of ambiguity. Maybe a new

effort is stuck, there are too many unknowns, or we

don’t even know where to begin. We have programs

that focus on experimentation and leveraging tools

like Design Thinking to analyze difficult business

decisions.

Why did you choose WSU?

The biggest reason I chose WSU was the relationships

and connection to the community. The Barton School

partners in many areas to advance the community

overall by helping students. This connection to the

community and the network it builds made it clear for

me to choose WSU.

What was your experience like

at the Barton School?

I enjoyed the relationships with professors and

class discussions with other professionals in the

community the most. The smaller classes allowed for

direct relationships with the professors with constant

feedback that helped the learning. Fellow professionals

in the community also taking classes extended this

learning through rich discussions and networking.

MBA classes helped accelerate my ability to lead teams

and help coach others.

What other activities were

you involved in at WSU?

The most fun and valuable part of the MBA program

was the Berlin class program. Building the relationships

with the Berlin students enhanced the learning

experience and built great connections.

How did the Barton School

prepare you for the future?

It provided me with opportunities to dive into new

ideas and topics. I was able to strengthen what I was

good at, but more importantly, I was exposed to more

ideas that I wasn’t aware of before. While I may not be

an expert in all those areas, the learnings showed me

when and where I can ask for help from others who are

experts in those areas. Overall, this built my confidence

to take chances on new opportunities and be prepared

for new steps in my career.

How did the Barton School

help you bloom?

The school helped me develop new skills and exercise

my strengths. The flexibility of choosing classes

that would build a valuable experience while having

professors that care about their students made it a

great journey. ▪

NIRUPAMA BARUA

“Barton school courses helped

me to tie in my practical

experience with theoretical

knowledge, which has helped

me to become a better leader

and management professional.”

For Nirupama Barua, an MBA student

specializing in Business Data

Management, the Barton School

has offered more than just academic

growth; it provided a foundation for future

leadership. As a Senior Manager on the Program

Management Team for Boeing’s Twin Aisle

Program at Spirit Aerosystems, Nirupama

sought an MBA program that aligned with

her career goals. The opportunity to join the

Barton School’s Berlin Experience Program

made the perfect fit even more appealing.

“Starting right after COVID meant most classes

were online, but once campus reopened, the

experience became even more fulfilling,” she

reflected. “I learned so much, met new friends, and

even traveled to Berlin as part of my studies.”

Throughout her MBA journey, Nirupama has engaged

with the Barton School community, from serving

on the Dean’s Graduate Student Advisory Board to

joining the Consulting Club, attending guest speaker

sessions, and participating in networking events.

“The Barton School has helped me build a strong

professional network in the Wichita area, one that

I’ll cherish and lean on in the future,” she noted.

Nirupama credits courses in finance,

accounting, business law, data management,

and corporate business strategy with providing

her the tools to connect theory to practice. “These classes allowed me to deepen my understanding

of the business principles I use every day,” she shared. With her graduation set for December 2024,

Nirupama looks forward to applying her enhanced skills to her current and future roles. ▪

44 45



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

The Power Behind Barton

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

BREAKING A FEW EGGS

You could say that Jacob O’Connor and Jon Peterson, high school friends and 2023 Barton

School graduates, have a taste for entrepreneurship. In college, they started Player Card, a

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) business. They learned to work together and discovered how

complementary their skill sets were. The ingredients were there, they just needed the recipe.

After extensive research and vetting, they decided

to become franchisees of Another Broken Egg

Café, an upscale brunch restaurant, which serves

Louisiana-inspired breakfast and lunch dishes.

Their first Wichita restaurant is located at K-96 and

Oliver, right across the street from Koch Industries

and two miles away from Wichita State University.

“This entire business venture has been the practical

application of everything we were taught at

the Barton School of Business,” said O’Connor.

“Arguably the most valuable asset I gained from

the Barton School was the network we were able

to build. For example, Dean Genin invited Jon and

I to present Player Card to her advisory board.

Susayn Brandes, President and CEO of Great

Plains Ventures, was in attendance. I first met

her during my freshman year, but that encounter

sparked a series of monthly conversations where

Jon and I would regularly seek her insights and

advice on Player Card and business strategy more

broadly. Eventually, we mentioned franchising a

restaurant concept. That’s when she told us she

had been looking at franchising and asked if Jon

and I would want to partner with her to bring

something new to Wichita. And here we are now,

franchising a new concept for our city. It’s just crazy

how all these dots connect. You couldn’t plan it.” ▪

THE POWER BEHIND

BARTON

Behind every bold initiative and

student success is a dedicated network

of educators and mentors who make

the Barton experience remarkable.

46 47



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

The Power Behind Barton

IN MEMORIAM

WAYNE WOOLSEY

This academic year, Isaac Wayne Woolsey, who was instrumental

to the creation of the new home for W. Frank Barton School of

Business at Wichita State University, passed away at age 92. The

facility, located on the Innovation Campus at WSU, was named

the Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall in honor of Wayne and his wife for their

donation of $10 million to the Barton School, followed by another $1.3 million

gift to create the Kay Woolsey Gardens and Woolsey Hall Technology Fund.

Woolsey was a retired petroleum geologist

and chairman of Woolsey Companies, an oil

and natural gas exploration and production

company he founded in 1978. He received

his bachelor’s degree from University of

North Texas and his master’s degree in

geology from Texas A&M University. He

served in the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant

during the Korean War. Kay, who died in

2018, served as vice president and secretary

of Woolsey Companies, handling land, legal

and administrative functions. Wayne and

Kay were married for 45 years. They had

four children. Wayne enjoyed sports, old

western movies and spending time with his

family as a husband, father and grandfather.

The 125,000-square-foot Woolsey Hall was

completed in Summer 2022. The awardwinning

facility stands as a testament to

modernity, boasting flexible classrooms,

abundant study rooms, collaborative spaces,

and a 300-seat auditorium. These stateof-the-art

amenities, complemented by

the Promise Bridge, a social staircase, a

curated art collection, a vibrant café, and

a spacious ballroom, collectively foster an

environment that not only inspires but

emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and

an entrepreneurial mindset. These are the

very qualities that Wayne and Kay, pillars

of these ideals throughout their illustrious

careers and lives, held dear to their hearts. ▪

“The Woolseys have left a lasting mark on

our university. Their generosity has shaped

opportunities for students, and their impact

will continue to be felt for generations.”

DR. ELIZABETH KING

President & CEO Emerita, WSU Foundation

and Alumni Engagement (WSUFAE)

“The Woolseys' legacy of generosity has

changed our history. We are proud to have

our school building named after their family

members and will always celebrate them.”

DR. LARISA GENIN

Dean

48 49



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

The Power Behind Barton

FACULTY SHOWCASE/STAFF

JODI PELKOWSKI

New Beta Gamma Sigma Faculty Advisor

IMPACT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

ELIZABETH KING’S ENDURING LEGACY

A

fter almost 33 years of dedicated service

to Wichita State University, Elizabeth

King retired, leaving behind an indelible

legacy. As the President & CEO

Emerita, WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

(WSUFAE), Elizabeth strengthened the university’s

financial foundation and fostered a culture of

philanthropy that will benefit generations to come.

Under her leadership, the Foundation saw

singular growth in support of scholarships, faculty

development, and campus improvements. The

Foundation’s assets have grown from $54 million

to over $400 million, with annual fundraising

totals averaging $50 million for the past three

years. Elizabeth additionally advanced initiatives

such as the expansion of the Innovation Campus

and the construction of Wayne and Kay Woolsey

Hall, the new home of the Barton School of

Business. These accomplishments reflect her skills

and commitment to Wichita State Univeristy.

Elizabeth’s tenure was marked by her deep

connection to alumni and her dedication to

enhancing the university’s reputation. She nurtured

relationships that led to significant contributions,

including the establishment of endowed chairs,

scholarships, and capital projects that will

continue to elevate the university’s mission.

Her legacy is also comprised of tireless advocacy

and varied contributions to the Barton School of

Business. As she steps into retirement, Elizabeth King

leaves behind a stronger, more vibrant institution,

forever enriched by her accomplishments. ▪

Pelkowski is an Associate Professor in the

Economics department within the Barton

School. She has taught undergraduate

and graduate courses as well as Executive

MBA program classes. She has also served as the

undergraduate advisor to economics majors and

advisor to the economics student groups, Omicron

Delta Epsilon and Economists Anonymous.

Pelkowski has won several teaching awards including

the WSU Excellence in Teaching Award, the WSU

Academy for Effective Teaching Award and the TAN

Excellence in Academic Advising award. Her research

interests include applied microeconomics, labor

economics and sports economics. She received her

Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Kentucky,

Lexington. Beta Gamma Sigma is the International

Business Honor Society that recognizes and honors

top performing students from business schools

accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate

Schools of Business (AACSB). The Beta Gamma

Sigma was established in 1969 and provides students

with a variety of events including guest speakers,

professional development activities, community

service opportunities and networking with alumni

and members of the business community. ▪

“My passion for working with students

is driven by the excitement of current

and past students sharing with me

their success stories–whether they are

excelling in a project, securing a job offer

or thriving in their careers as alumni. I

look forward to the opportunity as the

Beta Gamma Sigma advisor to continue

working with high-achieving students

studying all aspects of business.”

50 51



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

The Power Behind Barton

BARTON SCHOOL of

BUSINESS AWARDS

2023 ADJUNCT

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

MINDY McKINLEY

Economics

STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR

ASHLEY GERLACH

FREDS

RESEARCHER/WRITER OF THE YEAR

XIAOYANG ZHU

Economics

LEO YANG

Accounting

JAMES SCHISLER

Brand Experience and Digital Media Manager

BARTON SCHOOL SERVICE AWARD

UNDERGRADUATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

FRED EILTS

FREDS

GRADUATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

ACHITA MUTHITACHAROEN

MIS

GERY MARKOVA

Management

DEAN’S RED APPLE AWARD

FRED EILTS

FREDS

WICHITA BUSINESS

JOURNAL INNOVATION

AWARDS: WIDENER

GLOBAL LEADERS

PROGRAM

Through programs, industryspecific

partnerships, and a

commitment to experiential

learning, the Barton School

shapes the future of workforce

across a broad spectrum of

professional fields. The Widener

Global Leaders Program was

honored as a 2024 Innovation

Awards honoree. This

award honors individuals and

companies who have developed

innovative approaches and

solutions in the workplace.

WICHITA REGIONAL

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

KEEPER OF THE

PLAINS AWARD

WSU Woolsey Hall, Barton

School of Business

The Keeper of the Plains award

recognizes an architectural

achievement completed by a firm,

organization or individual, which

has contributed to the beauty of

our community. Completed in

2022, Woolsey Hall, the home

of the Barton School of Business

on Wichita State University’s

Innovation Campus has receievd

the Keeper of the Plains award.

WICHITA BUSINESS

JOURNAL COOLEST

OFFICE AWARD

Wichita Business Journal readers

crowned Woolsey Hall, the home

of the Barton School, as the

coolest office in Wichita. The

Wichita Business Journal’s 2024

contest, which began in January

with nine formidable contestants,

garnered roughly 3,700 votes over

three rounds. Woolsey Hall was

the ultimate winner with 67%

of the vote in the final round.

52 53



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

The Power Behind Barton

NEW FACULTY

NEW STAFF

PROMOTIONS

RETIREES

ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD

NAWAF

ALJOHANI

Clinical Assistant

Professor, MIS

NA ZHANG

Assistant

Professor,

Supply Chain

Management

ZAHRA ZIAEI

Assistant

Professor,

Business

Analytics

MILESTONES/ANNIVERSARIES

SUE

ABDINNOUR

25 Years

KIANGA

KELLY-

CROWLEY

Manager, OCPD

BRETT

LUKERT

Business Manager

MATHEW

SCRENOCK

Student Success

Specialist,

Business Student

Success Center

SETH

COCKRELL

5 Years

SETH

COCKRELL

Promotion

to Associate

with Tenure

USHA

HALEY

Professor

Incentive Review

BILL

MILES

Professor

Incentive Review

AKMAL

MIRSADIKOV

5 Years

RICK

LECOMPTE

Associate

Professor, FREDS

KAREN

WILSON

Office

Coordinator,

Business Student

Success Center

CASSANDRA

STEVENS

5 Years

PRESIDENT

ERIN CUMMINGS

Entrepreneur, Author, & Angel

Investor at Built on YES

BRAEDEN ALTHOFF

Full Time Graduate Student

at Wichita State University

TYSON BEAN

Associate Broker at

Pinnacle Realty Group

JUSTIN CONDREAY

Vice President | Equity

Capital Markets at RBC

RACHEL DOUGLASS

Senior Manager,

Communications

at Textron eAviation

TIM FARHA

Owner at Point Guard

Management

SUZY FINN

Marketing and Strategic

Partnerships Supervisor at

Wichita Public Schools

WYNN HUKLE

Corporate Director of

Revenue Management

at Coury Hospitality

KYLE KOPECKY

Global Corporation Banking

Associate at JP Morgan

CHRISTINA MARTINEZ

Assistant Business

Manager - Deli & Prepared

Meats at Cargill

BRADEN McCURDY

CEO, Broker, Auctioneer

at McCurdy Real

Estate & Auction

JERICA NEWBY

Vice President - Human

Resources at Legacy Bank

RYAN POTTER

VP Koch Engineered

Solutions - Product and

Technology at Koch

JOE SAUER

Co-Founder & Managing

Partner at Southern Plains

Insurance Group LLC

MICHAEL

SCHLOTTERBECK

Principal at Deloitte

Consulting

DAVID THORNE

CEO at Thumbscore

LILY WU

Mayor of Wichita at

City of Wichita

JOAN

ADKISSON

20 Years

CHRIS

BROBERG

15 Years

MASUD

CHAND

15 Years

ENDOWED CHAIRS, PROFESSORS AND FELLOWS

SUE ABDINNOUR

(Kansas Faculty of

Distinction) Omer

Professor in Business

GAYLEN CHANDLER

(Kansas Faculty of

Distinction) – W. Frank

Barton Distinguished Chair

in Entrepreneurship

STEVEN FARMER

W. Frank Barton

Distinguished Chair

in Business

MICHAEL

FLORES

25 Years

USHA

HALEY

5 Years

LYNN

MATTHEWS

5 Years

MICHAEL FLORES

AGH Faculty Fellow

in Accounting

GERALD GRAHAM

R.P. Clinton Distinguished

Professor of Management

USHA HALEY

(Kansas Faculty of

Distinction) – W. Frank

Barton Distinguished Chair

in International Business

RICHARD LECOMPTE

Heskett Chair

in Finance

BRIAN

RAWSON

15 Years

RAINA

RUTTI

5 Years

SEMIH

TARTAROGLU

15 Years

ANDREA

WILSON

5 Years

STANLEY LONGHOFER

Chair in Real Estate

and Finance

JEFFREY QUIRIN

(Kansas Faculty of

Distinction) – W. Frank

Barton Distinguished

Chair in Business

LAURA ZELLERS

Regier, Carr and

Monroe Faculty Fellow

in Accountancy

WIDENER GLOBAL LEADERS PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

PERI WIDENER

WGLP Founder and

Sponsor / CEO at GLoBIL

Consulting Group

LARISA GENIN

Executive Director of WGLP

Program / Dean at W. Frank

Barton School of Business

EMILY BERLIN

Senior Consultant at Energy33

and Ariete Hospitality Group

MARIE-HÉLÈNE BERNARD

President & CEO St. Louis

Symphony Orchestra

SPECIALIZED ADVISORY BOARDS

CENTER FOR MANAGEMENT

DEVELOPMENT (CMD)

CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE (CRE)

ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT

SHERRY CHISENHALL

Recently Retired Editor

& President at The

Charlotte Observer

JAMIE HARRISON

Chief Growth Officer at

Meritrust Credit Union

MARY KRAMER

Recently Retired Director

of Special Projects and

Detroit Homecoming at

Crain Communications

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

AND MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

KANSAS ECONOMIC

OUTLOOK TEAM

JUDITH LEONARD

Professor of Practice at

University of Arizona James

E. Rogers College of Law /

General Counsel Emerita at

Smithsonian Institution

BARBARA SHRUT

President at SLB Advisors

VIVIAN ZAVATARO

Executive and Creative

Director at Ulrich

Museum of Art

KOCH GLOBAL TRADING

CENTER (KGTC)

MARKETING

SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY

WICHITA AREA OUTLOOK

TEAM (WAOT)

54 55



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

The Power Behind Barton

THE FABULOUS 50:

DEAN’S ADVISORY BOARD

The Barton School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board is a

distinguished group of industry leaders that help to guide

our school’s strategic direction and programming.

BASIL A. HOURANI

TIEN HUYNH

Co-Founder and Executive

Partner, Capital7.

com (Wichita, KS)

Partner, The G1 Group

(Wichita, KS)

ROMAN KAPLUN

BRADEN R. McCURDY

CEO, McCurdy Real Estate &

Auction (Wichita, KS)

MICHAEL MONTEFERRANTE

President and CEO, Envision,

Inc. (Wichita, KS)

WILLIAM B. MOORE

SCOTT REDLER

Co-Founder, Freddy’s Frozen

Custard & Steakburgers

(Wichita, KS)

JOHN L. ROLFE

President and CEO, Wichita

Regional Chamber of

Commerce (Wichita, KS)

MARC C. ROWLAND

Founder and CEO, Zoolatech

(Palo Alto, CA)

Retired President & CEO,

Westar Energy (Wichita, KS)

Founder & Senior Managing

Director, IOG Capital

(North Richland Hill, TX)

PAUL S. ALLEN

CYNTHIA (CINDY) CARNAHAN

BRAD ELLIOTT

SILVER KUNG

JAMES NASTARS

JAY L. SMITH

Chief Executive Officer, Allen,

Gibbs, and Houlik, L.C.

(Wichita, KS)

President & CEO, Carnahan

Group (ReeceNichols South

Central Kansas) (Wichita, KS)

Chairman, Equity Bank

(Wichita, KS)

Founder, Chairman, and CIO,

Siegfried Capital (Hong Kong)

President and CEO, Meritrust

Credit Union (Wichita, KS)

Retired President, INTRUST

Bank (Wichita, KS)

TANVIR ARFI

LYNDA L. CARRIER-METZ

DARREN ERCOLANI

SHAWN LANCELOT

GARY OBORNY

SUSAN THOMAS

Chairman & CEO, Banyan

Technologies Group (Colleyville,

TX)

Chief Marketing Officer,

Restaurant Management

Company (Wichita, KS)

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer,

Chevron Phillips Chemical

Company LP (Houston, TX)

President, Bank of America

Wichita (Wichita, KS)

WILLIAM (BILL) H. LAPPIN

CEO and Chairman, Occidental

Management (Wichita, KS)

JOSH OEDING

CEO, 10Fold (Walnut

Creek, CA)

BILL VOLOCH

CRAIG W. BARTON

President, Barton Companies

(Wichita, KS)

LANCE CHASTAIN

President & CEO, Trans-Tel

Central (Wichita, KS)

STEVE FEILMEIER

Managing Director, Feilmeier

Family Office (Wichita, KS)

Retired Partner, Deloitte

LLP (Savannah, GA)

STEPHANIE LUETTERS

Founder & General Partner,

Tenzing Capital (Wichita, KS)

MARILYN B. PAULY

CEO, Wesley Healthcare

(Wichita, KS)

DAMON C. WARD

BARBARA J. BASSI

Philanthropist (Newport Coast,

CA)

CLARK BASTIAN

Chairman, Fidelity

Bank (Wichita, KS)

YVETTE CONNOR

Risk Advisory Services

Practice Leader, CohnReznick

LLP (New York, NY)

MARTY CORNEJO

Principal Partner, Cornejo

Companies (Wichita, KS)

TADD FOWLER

Senior Vice President, Treasurer

and Global Taxes, Procter &

Gamble (Cincinnati, OH)

ALEX FREEDLAND

Co-Founder and Board Member,

Mirantis (Campville, TX)

Philanthropist

(Wichita, KS)

TREENA MASON

EVP & Chief Sales Officer,

Blue Cross and Blue Shield

of Kansas (Wichita, KS)

MELODY McCRAY-MILLER

Retired Vice Chairman,

Commerce Bank (Wichita, KS)

DAN C. PEARE

Estate Planning Attorney,

Hinkle Law Firm (Wichita, KS)

KEVIN L. POTUCEK

Vice President and Corporate

Controller, Spirit AeroSystems,

Inc. (Wichita, KS)

PERI WIDENER

CEO, GLoBIL Consulting

Group (Nashville, TN)

MICHAEL (MIKE) YOUNG

WALTER BERRY

Executive Chairman, Berry

Companies (Wichita, KS)

MIKE DAOOD

President, LodgeWorks

(Wichita, KS)

TOM GENTILE

President and CEO, Hexcel

Corporation (Wichita, KS)

Co-Founder and CEO,

Millers, Inc. (Park City, KS)

President, Kevin Potucek

Innovation, LLC (Naples, FL)

Senior Advisor, The Capstreet

Group (Houston, TX)

SUSAYN C. BRANDES

President & CEO, Great Plains

Ventures, Inc. (Wichita, KS)

MICHAEL A. DAVIS

Vice President, Senior Financial

Consultant, Charles Schwab

(San Francisco, CA)

PATRICK GOEBEL

President and COO, Star

Lumber & Supply (Wichita, KS)

EMERITI BOARD MEMBERS

GENE CAMARENA

MARGARET DECHANT

MICHAEL GOLOMB

WAYNE CHAMBERS

STEPHEN L. CLARK

MIKE MICHAELIS

President & CEO, La Raza

Pizza Inc. (Wichita, KS)

JOHN CANTELE

CEO, Partner, and Founder,

6 Meridian (Wichita, KS)

RICHARD DINKEL

Founder and CEO, FanVestor

(San Francisco, CA)

MISTY A. HIGH

High Touch Inc.,

Retired President

& CEO

Emeriti President,

Clark Investment

Group

Emeriti Chairman,

Emprise Financial

Corporation

Co-Founder and Principal,

Lexima Hotel Management

Services (Wichita, KS)

EVP and CFO, Koch Industries

Inc. (Wichita, KS)

President, Cargill, Value Added

Division (Wichita, KS)

56 57



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

The Power Behind Barton

SCHOLARLY

PUBLICATIONS 2023-2024

Here is a sample of scholarly publications produced by our faculty this year.

ABDINNOUR, SUE

Journal of Global

Entrepreneurship Research

Empirical Analysis of the Impact of

Entrepreneurship Activity on Economic

Growth of Global Entrepreneurship

Monitor (GEM) Countries (2023)

Journal of Management and

Engineering Integration

A Twitter Sentiment Analysis Dashboard

for Covid-19: The Case of Kansas (2023)

Journal of Systems and

Information Technology

Enhancing supply chain agility

through information systems artifacts

and process standardization: an

empirical assessment (2024)

AGHAIE, SINA

Business Process Management

Longitudinal analysis of

production process variability:

an organizational information

processing theory perspective. (2024)

European Journal of Marketing

Incumbent’s Deterrence Strategies

and Potential Entrant’s Timeto-Entry:

Evidence from the U.S.

Airline Industry (2024)

Industrial Marketing Management

Credible vs. Deceptive Threat of

Entry: Empirical Evidence from

the US Airline Industry (2023)

Journal of Research in

Interactive Marketing

Recommender Systems Impact

on Providers Positioning and

Market Outcomes. (2024)

Psychology & Marketing

Customers’ political ideology

and Self-Service Technologies: Do

political leanings predict usage of

Self-Service Technologies? (2024)

BARUT, MEHMET

Journal of Information &

Knowledge Management

The Role of Information Usage

Between Information Sharing

and Performance, (2024)

Journal of Management and

Engineering Integration

Information Flow Theory: Circuit

Network Approach (2023)

BOEHME, RODNEY, CRAFT,

TIM, AND LECOMPTE, RICK

International Journal of

Finance & Banking Studies

Credit Card Lending and the

Performance of U.S. Credit Unions (2023)

CHAND, MASUD

AIB Insights

Aging and Shrinking Populations

in CEE Countries: Implications for

Practitioners and Policymakers (2024)

AIB Insights

The Emerging Bengal Tiger:

Opportunities and Challenges for

MNCs and Policymakers (2024)

Handbook on Migration Issues

in International Business

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Immigration

Policy Changes and Challenges (2023)

Managing People across

the Asia Pacific

Challenges of an Aging and

Multigenerational Workforce (2023)

CHANDLER, GAYLEN, McLEOD,

MIKE, AND BROBERG, CHRIS

Small Business Economics

Customer engagement patterns and

new venture outcomes (2023)

CHENG, JEN-CHI

State and Local Government Review

The Effect of Fiscal Decentralization on

Municipal Fiscal Health: An Empirical

Study of Large American Cities

(Leading Article of the Issue) (2023)

CHO, NA REA

Decision Sciences (Journal of)

Drivers and Implications of Combined

Investment in Renewables and Energy

Storage in the Residential Sector (2023)

STONE, CHRIS, AND

TERRY, RYAN

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

An International Journal

Veterans in the workplace: a model of

factors affecting veteran transition (2024)

COCKRELL, SETH, AND

MATTHEWS, LYNN

Journal of Public Policy

and Marketing

Brand Management of Natural Spaces:

The Impact of Natural Space Authenticity

on Consumer Outcomes (2023)

COCKRELL, SETH

Journal of Business Research

The effects of innovation on

product recall likelihood (2024)

Journal of Macromarketing

The Curvilinear Role of Trust in

Marketing Systems: Analysis of a

Moderated-Mediation Model with

Hierarchical Linear Modeling (2023)

DEVEREAUX, ABIGAIL

Cambridge Elements

Explaining technology (2023)

Handbook of Institutions

and Complexity

Exiting ergodicity (2024)

Journal of Evolutionary Economics

Creative evolution in economics (2024)

DEVEREAUX, ABIGAIL

Public Choice

Costs of Choice: Reformulating

Price Theory without Heroic

Assumptions (2023)

FARMER, STEVEN

Journal of Occupational and

Organizational Psychology

The innovation paradox of global

work: Does cultural tightness shape or

constrain innovative behavior? (2024)

GRUETZEMACHER, ROSS

Futures & Foresight Science

Calibration training for improving

probabilistic judgments using

an interactive app (2024)

Futures & Foresight Science

An Interactive Calibration

Training App for Improving

Probabilistic Judgments (2023)

Global Journal of Computer

Science and Technology: Neural

& Artificial Intelligence

Leveraging Foundation Models for

Scientific Research Productivity (2023)

HALEY, USHA

EFMD Global Focus

Societal Impact through

Sustainable Scholarship (2024)

Financial Times

FT Case: The Escalating Cold War

between the US and China: Implications

for Global Supply Chains (2023)

Financial Times

Supply Chains: When the

Chips are Down (2024)

Journal of Management Studies

Corporate Exit Strategies in Repressive

Regimes: Theoretical Reflections on

Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine (2023)

Organization Development Review

Leading Ethical Organizational

Leadership and Behavior Through

True Storytelling (2023)

Organization Studies

Triviality and the Search for

Scholarly Impact (2023)

KEELER, JUSTIN

Journal of Organizational

Effectiveness: People

and Performance

How job resources can shape perspectives

that lead to better performance: A

remote worker field study (2023)

MARTIN, CHARLES

Journal of Marketing Management

Marketing and service language(s):

considerations revisited (2023)

MATTHEWS, LYNN, AND

PELKOWSKI, JODI

Journal of Sport Management

How Transfer Behavior Impacts

Consumer Perceptions and

Intentions Toward College Athletes

Who Pursue Name, Image, and/

or Likeness Activities (2024)

MATTHEWS, LYNN

Journal of Product &

Brand Management

Sympathy or Shock: How Transgression

Diagnosticity Impacts Consumer

Perceptions and Intentions

Regarding Person-Brands (2023)

MILES, WILLIAM, AND

ZHU XIAOYANG

International Reviews of

Economics and Finance

Housing and the Changing Impact

of Monetary Policy (2023)

Journal of Real Estate

Finance and Economics

Convergence in House Price Cycles

across the US: Recent Developments

and the Impact of Covid (2024)

Real Estate Finance

The Price-Rent Ratio: Bubble Indicator?

Stationary? An Investigation Allowing

for Fractional Integration (2024)

MILES, WILLIAM

Applied Economics

The Home Price-Income Relationship

for US States (2023)

Economia Internazionale

Did the Classical Gold Standard

Promote Inflation Convergence? (2023)

Journal for Studies in

Economics & Econometrics

The West African Monetary Zone:

Is Inflation Convergence Sufficient

for a Currency Union? (2024)

Journal of Economic Insight

The Impact of Fiscal Policy on

Housing in the US (2024)

MIRSADIKOV, AKMAL

Foundations and Trends®

in Information Systems

Virtual Lies and Digital Truths: A

Review of Research on Deception in

Online Communication (2024)

Information and Computer Security

Detecting Deception in Computer-

Mediated Communication: The

Role of Popularity Information

Across Media Types (2024)

International Journal of

Human-Computer Studies

Can you see me lying? Investigating

the Role of Deception on

Gaze Behavior (2023)

Journal of Management

Information Systems

The Influence of Media Capabilities on

Trust in the Sharing Economy (2023)

NAGEL, DUANE

International Journal of

Research in Marketing

Customer success management,

customer health, and retention

in B2B industries (2023)

Journal of Services Marketing

Editorial: Critiques and Conflicts

in Service Research: Suggestions for

Redefining the Marketing of Goods and

Services As A Business Discipline (2024)

NASIR, MURTAZA

Decision Sciences (Journal of)

An Interpretable Machine

Learning Methodology to Generate

Interaction Effect Hypotheses from

Complex Datasets (2024)

Health Services and Outcomes

Research Methodology

A machine learning approach for

diagnostic and prognostic predictions,

key risk factors and interactions (2024)

PELKOWSKI, JODI

Journal of Education

Human Resources

Compensation of Presidents,

Provosts, and Professors at U.S.

Public Universities (2023)

PORTER, CHRISTINE

Accounting Research Journal

The Effect of Operationalizing

Increased to Board Independence

on Financial Reporting (2023)

58 59



Barton School of Business 2023-2024 Annual Report

QUIRIN, JEFFREY

Journal of Forensic and

Investigative Accounting

Municipal Embezzlement: The

Case of Half a Check (2024)

RAHIMINEJAD, SINA

Corporate Accounting & Finance

Large Book-Tax Differences, Bankruptcy

and Firm Efficiency (2024)

RAI, ATUL

Innovative Approaches

to Technology-Enhanced

Learning for the Workplace

and Higher Education

Adaptive Scaffolding Toward

Transdisciplinary Collaboration:

Reflective Polyvocal Self-study (2023)

RUTTI, RAINA, AND

SRIVASTAVA, SMITA

Asia Pacific Journal

of Management

Exploring the Impact of Entrepreneurial

Alertness and Cultural Intelligence

on Creative Self-Efficacy: A

Global Perspective (2023)

RUTTI, RAINA

International Journal of Business

and Management Studies

Effects of Informational Asymmetries

on Job Seekers’ Ratings of

Organizational Credibility (2023)

SRIVASTAVA, SMITA

Business Horizons

The story and the storyteller:

Strategic storytelling that gets human

attention for entrepreneurs (2023)

Management Decision

Risky Combination: The Role of

Managerial Perceptions of Social Media

Use and Entrepreneurial Orientation

on SME Innovation (2023)

Technological Forecasting

And Social Change

(Re)conceptualizing technological

breakthrough innovation: A

systematic review of the literature

and proposed framework (2023)

The Journal of Entrepreneurship

Crowdfunding Research: Critical

Analysis and Constructive Agenda

for Future Inquiry (2024)

STONE, CHRISTOPHER

Management Research Review

Triaging your human capital: An

integrative perspective on strategic

human capital resource allocation (2023)

TERRY, RYAN

Academy of Management

Discoveries

Just Calling Balls and Strikes:

The Impact of Business Travel on

Cognitive Performance (2024)

Human Resource

Management Journal

Assessing star value: The influence

of prior performance and visibility

on compensation strategy. (2023)

WANG, SIYU

Experimental Economics

Is it what you say or how

you say it? (2024)

Journal of Behavioral and

Experimental Economics

Impact of open-mindedness on

information avoidance: Tailored vs.

generic communication (2024)

Public Choice

From Adam Smith to Artificial

Intelligence: An Experimental Exploration

of Emotion in Humanomics (2024)

Southern Economic Journal

Is the ‘Smoke-filled Room’

necessary? An Experimental Study

of the Effect of Communication

Networks on Collusion (2023)

YANG, LEO

Accounting Horizons

Initial Evidence on the Market Impact

of the iXBRL Adoption (2023)

Contemporary Accounting

Research

Information Transparency

and Investment in Followon

Innovation (2023)

ZHU, XIAOYANG

International Journal of

Emerging Markets

The Effects of Government Spending on

Consumption and the Real Exchange

Rate: A Comparison between Developed

and Developing Countries (2023)

ZHU, XIAOYANG

International Journal of

Managerial Finance

Can Institutional Investors Influence

Media Sentiment? (2024)

Journal of Corporate Finance

Fading Virtue, Flourishing Profits:

Corporate Social Responsibility

in the Presence of Competitor

Constraints (2024)

Journal of International

Money And Finance

State-dependent oil price shocks

on inflation and the efficacy of

inflation targeting regime (2024)

Journal of Money, Credit,

And Banking

Financial Development

and Innovation:The Role of

Market Structure (2023)

Review of Quantitative

Finance And Accounting

Economic Policy Uncertainty

and Heterogeneous Institutional

Investor Horizons (2023)

ZIEGLER, ALEXANDER

Journal of Consumer Behaviour

How do embarrassing service disruptions

impact bystanders’ word ofmouth,

complaining, and avoidance? The

moderating role of selfconstrual (2024)

Marketing Education Review

Fostering an age-friendly Marketing

Education: Integrating Intergenerational

Learning in Marketing Courses (2024)

Psychology & Marketing

Leveling the Playing Field… in Private:

The Interplay of Malicious Envy and

Anonymity in Online Revenge (2024)

FUELING AMBITION

FUNDING FUTURES

At the Barton School, challenging coursework

and real-world experience combine to forge

leaders and drive economic progress.

WANT TO MAKE

A DIFFERENCE?

Whether through scholarships, program

support, or partnerships, your investment

supports Barton students to lead, innovate,

and transform the business world.

To explore giving opportunities, contact

Corey Saleh, Senior Director, Development,

at corey.saleh@wichita.edu.

60



MAKE IT REAL.

MAKE IT BARTON.



MAKE IT REAL.

MAKE IT BARTON.

1845 Fairmount St.

Wichita, Kansas 67260

(316) 978-3200

wichita.edu/barton

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