On Tuesday, Feb. 17, members of Wichita State University’s W. Frank Barton School of Business visited Belle Plaine (Kansas) High School to surprise senior Alyssa Pace with the 2026 Clay Barton Scholarship. The $50,000 award is one of the largest business scholarships in Kansas and will cover four years of tuition support at Wichita State.

Pace, who will be a first-generation college student, earned the scholarship after advancing through the highly competitive Allen, Gibbs and Houlik Scholarship Competition. She was previously named one of eight finalists for the prestigious award. The remaining seven finalists will each receive $20,000 scholarships in recognition of their achievements.

“I was completely surprised,” Pace said after receiving the news. “This scholarship means everything. I know it sounds cliché, but this is truly life changing for myself and my family. This scholarship will give me the ability to live on campus and fully immerse myself in student life and all of the opportunities that accompany a degree at Wichita State.”

Pace plans to major in marketing when she begins classes at Wichita State in fall 2026. The AGH Scholarship Competition evaluates students through speeches, interviews and group exercises designed to assess academic excellence, leadership potential and commitment to service.

“We are so excited for Alyssa to join us in the Barton School as our 2026 Clay Barton Scholar,” said Rani Somers, recruitment coordinator for the Barton School and organizer of the AGH Scholarship competition. “She is incredibly bright, driven and enthusiastic. We know that she is going to take advantage of all the opportunities this campus has to offer. We are proud and honored to be part of the next chapter of her story.”

At Belle Plaine High School, Pace has been involved in a plethora of activities within her community, including yearbook, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), National Honor Society (NHS), volleyball, softball, cheer and student council. Her accomplishments inside and outside the classroom distinguished her during the competitive selection process.

“We look for students who demonstrate not only academic excellence but also character, leadership and a clear vision for their future,” said Zachary Brown, director of strategic enrollment and student services and a judge for the competition. “Alyssa stood out for her presentation and exceptional attitude. We are confident she will make a lasting impact at the Barton School and beyond.”

The Clay Barton Scholarship was established in 1991 by the late Rent-A-Center co-founder W. Frank Barton in honor of his son, Clay Barton. Clay Barton died from cancer in 1988 at the age of 20. While the scholarship does not replace Clay’s presence, it serves as a powerful legacy rooted in leadership, integrity and service.

Barton Scholars are expected to be the best of the best, excelling in academics, leadership and service while building a foundation that creates lasting value in their communities and professions.

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Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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The 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 due to its double AACSB accreditation in business and accounting. Housed in the award-winning Woolsey Hall, the school features artwork, sculptures, gardens, and The Promise Bridge—a 300-foot-long pedestrian bridge over the water in front of the building.