Author: James Schisler

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

The Barton School of Business has announced the newest members of its 25 Under 25 class, an annual recognition program honoring exceptional Barton School students who are making a difference through academic excellence, leadership and community involvement.

“When the 25 Under 25 initiative was developed, our goal was simple: to spotlight the talent, drive and leadership already thriving within the Barton School,” said Cassandra Stevens, director of marketing and communications at the Barton School of Business. “I saw an opportunity, so the program is designed to elevate students’ stories so industry partners, the campus community and future Shockers can see the caliber of innovators being prepared here. Our students accomplish extraordinary things, often before they graduate, and 25 Under 25 helps shine a well-deserved light on their achievements.”

The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has launched IMPACT — Innovative Mentored Projects for Applied Career Training, a program that provides students with paid, career-relevant project experiences while supporting meaningful work across the Wichita community and beyond.

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 Barton School received Applied Learning Fund support from Wichita State University to underwrite student wages this academic year. These university funds — allocated to WSU through state appropriations — are designed to expand experiential learning opportunities campus-wide.

The Widener Global Leaders Program (WGLP)— recognized by the Wichita Business Journal with its Innovation Award—celebrated the launch of its fifth cohort during a dynamic welcome event at Wichita State University. The new class features 12 exceptional students representing the Barton School of Business, the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the College of Fine Arts.

This year’s group marks a new era for WGLP — the first cohort under its expanded mission to provide students with a transformational, multidisciplinary educational experience that empowers them to thrive as the next generation of global leaders.

A team of five undergraduate students from the Barton School of Business earned finalist recognition at the Cornhusker Business Case Competition, a prestigious national event hosted by the Nebraska Business Honors Academy at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Representing Wichita State’s newly launched Consulting Club, the team included Abrielle Zuniga, Isabella Evans, Isabel Fulkerson, Rene Luna-Reyes and Scott Recheck. After two rounds of rigorous presentations and Q&A sessions judged by industry professionals and academic leaders, the Barton School team was named one of only four finalists — out of 14 teams representing 13 leading universities, including the University of Maryland, Texas A&M, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Vermont, Kansas State University and Texas Christian University. 

Six student leaders from the Barton School of Business’s Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund (CSMIF) recently traveled to Chicago for the 2025 Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium (SMIFC) Conference, where they engaged with industry leaders, expanded their professional networks and explored new strategies to strengthen the fund.

“These types of experiences go far beyond the classroom — they’re transformational,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “They provide our students with unique access to the financial world and allow them to represent the Barton School on a national stage with confidence and professionalism.”