Author: James Schisler

The Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics will present Dr. Kapildeb Ambal, assistant professor of physics at Wichita State, as he discusses “Quantum magnetic field sensing and its potential for industrial applications” at 3 p.m. Friday, April 12 in 123 Wallace Hall.

Tadd Fowler — senior vice president at the Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) and Executive-In-Residence at the W. Frank Barton School of Business — will provide a  keynote presentation titled “Procter & Gamble: How a 187-Year Old Company Stays Relevant in a Changing World” at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11 in the Woolsey Hall Auditorium. During the event, Fowler will present the captivating narrative of P&G’s recent transformational journey, showcasing resiliency, strategic reinvention, and an unwavering commitment to delivering superior products to delight consumers around the world. Admission to the event is free to the public.

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

“This spring semester, my wife and I had the privilege of serving as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence for the Barton School,” stated Camarena. “It was an enriching experience, prompting me to seek further opportunities to contribute to the school’s advancement. As a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, I am committed to making a lasting, sustainable impact on its future and shaping the trajectory of its students.”

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

Prior to joining the Barton School, Crowley served as the director of development at GraceMed Health Clinic, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills. Her dedication to community engagement and personal development is evident in her work as the founder and etiquette consultant at Simply a Lady Co. LLC, a business focused on enhancing self-esteem and preparing individuals for success in professional and social settings. As the manager of the Office of Career & Professional Development, she will play a pivotal role in guiding Barton School undergraduate and graduate students towards fulfilling career opportunities and professional growth.

Expressing her enthusiasm for her new position, Crowley stated, “I am truly honored to join the Barton School’s Office of Career and Professional Development. I am eager to leverage my experience and passion for mentorship to support students in achieving their personal and professional aspirations.”

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

“We are thrilled to welcome Tadd Fowler, an accomplished Barton School alumnus, back as our Executive-in-Residence,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “We wholeheartedly invite students, faculty, staff, industry leaders and the general public to seize the extraordinary opportunities to glean invaluable insights from a distinguished executive at one of the world’s most esteemed companies.”

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

“The Envision Arts installation has become a stalwart exhibit at Woolsey Hall,” said Dr. Duane Nagel, senior associate dean of the Barton School of Business. “It is a true inspiration to everyone.”

Howarth is legally blind with much of her vision gradually lost to Stargardt, a genetic eye disorder that causes progressive vision loss. This disorder creates thousands of holes in the retina. For Howarth, she sees through “a galaxy of tiny dots” and has no center focus.

The Collegiate DECA chapter at Wichita State 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 Feb. 23. Eight WSU students won eleven medals qualifying them for the upcoming national competition in Austin, Texas, from April 20 to 23:

• George Giem: First place in corporate finance
• Maley Hansen and Grace Skelton: Third place in the marketing communications team event
• Maley Hansen: Second place in marketing management
• Nathan Holloway: First place in hotel and lodging, Second place in restaurant and food service management
• Raven McPherson and Valishia Landrum: Second place in the event planning team event
• Raven McPherson: Second place in human resource management
• Ronish Rasaily: First place in travel and tourism, Second place in hotel and lodging
• Tayshaun Washington: First place in financial accounting, Second place in corporate finance

“Seeing our students excel on such a competitive stage is a testament to their hard work and dedication,” said Pattie Bradley, the group’s faculty advisor as well as the Barton School’s associate educator in economics. “Nathan, Tayshaun and Raven are part of the original students who started DECA at the Barton School in 2022, and they are graduating this spring. Their success, and the success of the entire chapter, not only reflects their individual talents but also speaks volumes about their leadership. We’re eagerly anticipating nationals in Austin and I am confident they will continue to make us proud.”

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

“The Barton School’s commitment to entrepreneurship goes beyond just lessons in the classroom,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “These scholarships are a testament to remaining one of the premier institutions for entrepreneurship in the country. I’m excited to welcome Annika and Abby to the Barton family.”

The Jabara Scholarship is one of the largest of its kind nationally for future entrepreneurs. To qualify, a student must write an essay and have achieved at least a 24 score on their ACT, a 3.5 high school GPA and declare entrepreneurship as their major. The scholarship is named after the late Fran Jabara, who was a WSU faculty member for 40 years and founded the Center for Entrepreneurship at WSU. Along with serving as the dean of the College of Business Administration, Jabara received the Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and the President’s Medal in 2002.

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

The proceeds from the “Beyond” Hall of Fame were raised to enhance and enrich the student experience, ensuring their success. These initiatives are instrumental in shaping the next generation of business leaders, attracting and retaining exceptional student talent and ultimately strengthening the workforce pipeline for businesses in Wichita and across Kansas. As a result, the Barton School is investing in the future of business education and empowering the leaders of tomorrow. More than $800,000 was raised in support of this effort, exceeding its target goal.

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

“The hospitality industry employs 15 million people and is on track to add another 500,000 jobs by the end of this year,” said Michelle Korsmo, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “The hospitality major at the Barton School of Business could make important contributions to our industry’s talent development by preparing graduates to efficiently lead operations, ensure superb customer experiences and operate financially sound enterprises.”