Eyal Redler and Omer Nagar

The Barton School of Business proudly announces a Centennial Signature Initiative: the appointment of Eyal Redler and Omer Nagar as Venture Capitalists in Residence in March 2026, marking 100 years of educating business leaders while launching Barton’s next era of global innovation and entrepreneurship.

As part of their residency, Redler and Nagar will deliver an insightful keynote fireside chat titled “What Venture Capitalists Are Betting on Now: AI, Fintech, and the Future of Scalable Innovation” from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. March 12. The event will take place at the Boettger Auditorium at Woolsey Hall, with doors opening at 9:15 a.m. The keynote is expected to draw students, faculty, staff, alumni, board members and industry leaders for a timely discussion on emerging investment trends and scalable innovation.

Seth Cockrell

The Barton School of Business has officially merged its Departments of Marketing and Economics into a single, unified academic unit: the Department of Marketing and Economics. This strategic alignment, approved by the Kansas Board of Regents, is effective immediately and reflects the Barton School’s commitment to interdisciplinary innovation, academic collaboration and operational efficiency.

Dr. Seth Cockrell, who has served as chair of the marketing department since 2022, has been appointed chair of the newly merged department. With unanimous support from faculty across both disciplines, Cockrell assumes this role bringing a strong blend of industry experience, academic leadership and forward-looking vision.

“This merger represents an exciting and strategic step forward for the Barton School,” said Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “By uniting two disciplines that are deeply interconnected in both theory and practice, we are creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation in teaching and research, and thoughtful resource optimization. I can’t think of a better leader to guide this transition than Dr. Cockrell.”

Dr. Silver Kung

The Barton School of Business has received a $300,000 transformational gift from Dr. Silver Kung, a globally recognized investment leader, distinguished member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, Wichita State alumnus and founder of Siegfried Capital Group, and his wife, Doriya Li. The gift establishes the Dr. Silver Kung and Doriya Li Student Experience and Success Fund, a forward-looking initiative designed to significantly expand real-world learning, professional development and entrepreneurial opportunities for Barton School students.

As part of Wichita State’s strategic plan, every degree-seeking student at WSU is guaranteed an applied learning or research experience before graduation. That commitment has established WSU as a national model for career preparation and collaboration. To accelerate this work, the fund will support a set of high-impact priorities, which includes immersive experiential learning opportunities, including exposure to leading innovation ecosystems such as San Francisco and Silicon Valley, where students engage directly with venture capital firms, startups and industry leaders.

“As a proud Wichita State alumnus and internationally respected leader, Dr. Kung embodies the global mindset, intellectual curiosity, and entrepreneurial spirit we strive to instill in our students,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “This generous investment by Dr. Kung and Ms. Li will meaningfully elevate the student experience — preparing our students to secure outstanding internships and full-time roles, and to launch bold, high-impact entrepreneurial ventures, while connecting classroom learning with real-world application in a rapidly evolving global economy.”

Finalists for Prestigious Clay Barton Scholarship

The Barton School of Business has announced eight exceptional high school seniors as finalists for the 2026 Clay Barton Scholarship, one of the most prestigious business scholarships in the state of Kansas. Valued at $50,000, the scholarship is awarded annually to one student who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership and a passion for business.

The eight finalists emerged from a competitive pool of students who participated in the Allen, Gibbs and Houlik (AGH) Scholarship Competition, held on Nov. 21, 2025. This rigorous event tests candidates on their communication skills, critical thinking and problem-solving through a series of group exercises, presentations and interviews.

Finalists for the 2026 Clay Barton Scholarship are:

  • Luke Fouts, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School (Goddard, KS) – Entrepreneurship
  • Gabriel Howland, Campus High School (Wichita, KS) – Entrepreneurship
  • Adeline Lank, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School (Wichita, KS) – Entrepreneurship
  • Samantha Owens, Bluestem High School (Leon, KS) – Business Administration
  • Alyssa Pace, Belle Plaine Senior High School (Belle Plaine, KS) – Marketing
  • Gabriel Shaffer, Valley Center High School (Valley Center, KS) – Business-Undecided
  • Nathan Stigers, Shawnee Mission North High School (Shawnee, KS) – Accounting
  • Zach Tschauder, Atchison High School (Atchison, KS) – Accounting

Wichita State students have the opportunity to test their business strategy skills and compete for scholarships in the upcoming ERPsim Competition, hosted by the Barton School of Business.

The competition challenges teams to manage a virtual company using an SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP) simulation. Participants make real-time decisions related to pricing, production, inventory and finance while competing against other teams in a dynamic market environment. The experience is designed to build data-driven decision-making skills, cross-functional collaboration and resume-ready experience.

The top three performing teams will receive tuition awards, with $4,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $800 for third place. The top team can also advance to a national competition in March 2026.

The ERPsim Competition will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 in the Woolsey Hall atrium. Registration is open through Feb. 15, with preparation sessions running Feb. 16-26.

Students who have completed at least one core business course or have a minimum of one year of industry experience are eligible to participate. Teams consist of three to four students, and individuals may register and be matched with a team.

RSVP for retirement reception for Joan Adkisson on Feb .9 

The Barton School of Business invites the campus community to celebrate the retirement of Joan Adkisson, executive director, Finance and Administration, who has served Wichita State with dedication and distinction for over 22 years. A come-and-go reception will be held between 3 and 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom. Light refreshments will be provided.

The Barton School hopes you will join in honoring Joan’s years of service and celebrating her many contributions to Wichita State and the Barton School community.

Nikki Beyrle

The Barton School of Business has announced the appointment of Nikki Beyrle as its new Hospitality Executive-in-Residence and chair of the Hospitality Advisory Board – marking a bold new chapter in redefining hospitality education in Kansas and beyond. Beyrle will lead the program’s transformation into a nationally and globally recognized model of excellence. A group of prominent industry executives joining the Advisory Board will be announced soon.

In her new role, Beyrle will provide visionary leadership, mentorship and industry expertise to drive enrollment growth, elevate student experience and forge powerful partnerships across the global hospitality landscape. She will play a transformative role in strengthening the hospitality industry’s talent pipeline by preparing the next generation of exceptional leaders. Under her guidance, the Barton School will cultivate career-ready professionals equipped with the skills, mindset and innovative spirit needed to redefine the future of hospitality worldwide.

Three talented children from the Cathy G. Hudson Envision Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) art showcased on the third floor of the Barton School.

The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University proudly unveiled its newest Envision Arts Program exhibition in Woolsey Hall — featuring the youngest artists ever to have their work displayed in the building. Three talented children from the Cathy G. Hudson Envision Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) now have their art showcased on the third floor of the Barton School.

ECDC provides an inclusive early learning environment for children ages 0-5 who are blind or visually impaired. Through art, these young creators are encouraged to explore their imagination, refine their sensory experiences and express their unique perspectives on the world.

“Our little artists have been inspired by the masters,” said Sarah Kephart, senior manager at Envision Arts. “With tiny hands and big hearts, they’ve reimagined iconic works in ways that only young minds can. Come celebrate their playful, powerful interpretations and see the classics through fresh eyes.”

Students from the W. Frank Barton School of Business posed in the picturesque South of France.

This past summer, 14 students from the Barton School of Business at Wichita State University took experiential learning to new heights through the Global Entrepreneurship Experience, an immersive three-week study abroad program set in the picturesque South of France.

The program seamlessly blended academic rigor, applied learning, and cultural discovery. Students took courses in entrepreneurship and international business research, collaborated directly with a French technology company on a real-world consulting project, and explored the vibrant regional culture — from its historic towns and cuisine to its dynamic approach to business and innovation.

“It’s hard to summarize the experience of being immersed in another culture,” said Dr. Seth Cockrell, associate professor and chair of the Department of Marketing at the Barton School, who co-led the program. “Everything—from food to mannerisms to societal norms—shapes how people live and do business. Our students didn’t just study these concepts; they lived them.”

Please join us for a retirement party in honor of Dotty Harpool.

The Barton School of Business invites the campus community to celebrate the retirement of Dotty Harpool, executive director of engagement and prominence and senior marketing educator, who has served Wichita State with dedication and distinction for over 39 years.

A come-and-go reception will be held between 3 and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom. Remarks will begin at 3:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

The Barton School hopes you will join in honoring Dotty’s years of service and celebrating her many contributions to Wichita State and the Barton School community.