Author: James Schisler

Before Margaret joins an interactive conversation with the Barton School of Business on Oct. 27, the Barton School wanted to introduce you to the person behind the keynote. Her career has taken her from the business world to leadership roles at some of the world’s best-known academic institutions, and into classrooms and organizations around the globe.

Margaret began her career as a CPA with Deloitte & Touche in San Francisco before moving into strategy consulting with Mercer Management Consulting, now Oliver Wyman. She later served as vice president of marketing at Putnam Investments. Then came higher education.

Join Margaret and the Barton School for an interactive conversation about leadership, creativity, emotional intelligence and what it takes to become the leader you want to be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom. Doors open at 9 a.m.

Seating is extremely limited. RSVP at wichita.edu/there

The Barton School of Business will welcome leadership expert, educator, executive and author Margaret Andrews as its next distinguished speaker as part of the school’s centennial celebration. An interactive keynote will take place at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 27 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom. Doors will open at 9 a.m.

Andrews will bring decades of experience spanning business and higher education to the Barton School for conversations focused on leadership, creativity, emotional intelligence and the skills professionals need to lead themselves and others effectively.

Following the program, attendees are invited to remain in Woolsey Hall for networking and a book signing with Andrews featuring “Manage Yourself to Lead Others.” The event is free and open to the public. Seating is extremely limited, and advance registration is strongly encouraged. To RSVP, visit wichita.edu/there.

What does it really take to build better businesses, lead through adversity and turn setbacks into opportunities?

As part of its centennial celebration, the Barton School of Business is bringing a new live conversation experience to campus featuring Entrepreneur-in-Residence Bill Poston and Barton alumnus and entrepreneur Jacob O’Connor, host of the “Built for More” podcast.

Rather than a traditional keynote, “Building Better Businesses and Leaders: Lessons from Adversity and Success” will feature an unscripted conversation exploring the stories, decisions and lessons behind Poston’s career. The conversation will be recorded live for “Built for More.”

The conversation will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium.

Get closer to the stories, decisions and lessons behind the success. Registration is encouraged.

Don’t just hear about the event afterward. Be in the room. Bring your questions and join the conversation.

Today, the Barton School of Business celebrates a century of business education, innovation and community with its Centennial Bash at Woolsey Hall (find directions to Woolsey Hall).

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the Wichita community are invited to join throughout the day for free activities, food, interactive experiences and plenty of opportunities to celebrate 100 remarkable years of the Barton School.

The celebration begins at 8 a.m. with Morning Wellness on the Woolsey Hall lawn and continues throughout the day with activities including the Centennial Museum, food and refreshments, interactive experiences and the Community 5K/Fun Run and Walk.

Stop by for one activity or spend the day celebrating with us. The Centennial Bash is free and open to the public.

A Wichita attorney’s lifelong commitment to education, service and community will live on through a new generation of Wichita State University students. Harvey Najim, a 1964 Wichita State graduate and nationally recognized business leader and philanthropist, has established two scholarships in memory of his brother, Harry Louis Najim. At the heart of the gift is the Harry Najim Business Scholarship, which will provide significant support to a Kansas student pursuing a degree through Wichita State’s Barton School of Business.

The Harry Najim Business Scholarship will provide $40,000 to an incoming Kansas freshman enrolled full time in the Barton School. Selection will consider academic achievement, community service and financial need. Recipients also must participate in the annual Allen, Gibbs & Houlik L.C. Scholarship Competition.

Prospective students interested in scholarship opportunities at the Barton School can learn more about academic programs, student resources and the admissions process at wichita.edu/barton. The application deadline for the 2026 AGH Scholarship competition is Nov. 8, 2026, and more information is available at wichita.edu/agh.

The Barton School of Business at Wichita State is introducing a new way for students to engage with accomplished business leaders.

As part of its centennial celebration, the Barton School will launch a live conversation series with an unscripted discussion designed to give students a front-row seat to the stories, decisions and lessons behind successful careers. The event will feature Entrepreneur-in-Residence Bill Poston and will be recorded live in partnership with “Built for More,” the podcast hosted by Barton School alumnus and entrepreneur Jacob O’Connor.

The live podcast event, “Building Better Businesses and Leaders: Lessons from Adversity and Success,” will take place at 9 a.m. Sept. 2 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium. Registration is encouraged.

A Wichita attorney’s lifelong commitment to education, service and community will live on through a new generation of Wichita State University students. Harvey Najim, a 1964 Wichita State graduate and nationally recognized business leader and philanthropist, has established two scholarships in memory of his brother, Harry Louis Najim. At the heart of the gift is the Harry Najim Business Scholarship, which will provide significant support to a Kansas student pursuing a degree through Wichita State’s Barton School of Business.

“My brother believed deeply in education and in the responsibility each of us has to make a difference in the lives of others,” Harvey Najim said. “This scholarship will carry Harry’s name forward by helping a talented Kansas student pursue their ambitions, build a meaningful career and create opportunities for others.”

The Harry Najim Business Scholarship will provide $40,000 to an incoming Kansas freshman enrolled full time in the Barton School. Selection will consider academic achievement, community service and financial need. Recipients also must participate in the annual Allen, Gibbs & Houlik L.C. Scholarship Competition.

The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has named Bill Poston, entrepreneur, business advisor, investor, educator and philanthropist, as Entrepreneur-in-Residence as part of its centennial celebration. His appointment reflects the Barton School’s commitment to connecting students with accomplished business leaders whose careers demonstrate entrepreneurship, principled leadership and innovation.

Throughout his residency, Poston will engage with students, faculty, alumni and business leaders through classroom discussions, mentoring opportunities, executive meetings and public events focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, organizational culture and business growth.

The Barton School of Business will continue its 100th anniversary celebration with a full day of activities, experiences and community connections Wednesday, Aug. 26. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, advisory board members, donors, supporters, partners and members of the WSU and Wichita community are invited to celebrate a century of business education and innovation.

The celebration features wellness activities, food, interactive experiences, a community run and opportunities to explore the school’s history throughout the day. The Centennial Bash is open to the public, with activities offered at no cost.

Activities begin at 8 a.m. with Morning Wellness on the Woolsey Hall lawn, featuring outdoor yoga, mindfulness activities and complimentary breakfast offerings. Guests are welcome to attend a single activity or spend the entire day on campus. While many activities do not require registration, RSVPs are encouraged for Morning Wellness and the Community 5K/Fun Run and Walk to assist with planning.

To learn more about centennial event sponsorships, contact Corey Saleh, senior director of development for the Barton School of Business and interim AVP at the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement, at corey.saleh@wichita.edu.

Wichita State University’s Spero program will welcome its newest participants and reconnect members of its growing community during the 2026 Spero Kickoff from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 at Woolsey Hall.

The event will bring together current Spero students, alumni, employer partners, advisory board members, facilitators, guest speakers and supporters for an afternoon of connection and celebration. A buffet lunch will be provided.

Guests can RSVP. The registration form will request attendance confirmation, dietary restrictions or food allergies, and the guest’s name, company and title. For additional information, contact the Spero team at Spero@wichita.edu.