Barton School Surprises Maize High Student with Full Ride Scholarship
Feb. 9, 2024
By Barton School of Business
About the Clay Barton Scholarship
In 1991, the late Rent-A-Center co-founder W. Frank Barton, who provided the naming
endowment for Wichita State’s Barton School of Business, established a scholarship
in his son Clay’s name. Clay Barton died from cancer in 1988 at the age of 20, cutting
his promising life short. While the Clay Barton Scholarship does not replace Clay’s
presence, it is a powerful legacy. This legacy speaks to the richness of the Barton
tradition at Wichita State. Barton Scholars are expected to be the best of the best,
excelling in academics, leadership and service, fitting the pieces of their lives
intricately into a structure that has lasting value.
About the Barton School of Business
The W. Frank 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, with double AACSB accreditation in business and accounting.
The school is housed in an award-winning building, Woolsey Hall, which serves as a
cornerstone for challenging yet supportive educational opportunities. Woolsey Hall
also features remarkable artwork, sculptures, gardens and The Promise Bridge, a 300-foot-long
pedestrian bridge over the water in front of the building.
On Wednesday, February 7, members of the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita
State University stopped by Maize High School to award senior Faith Swart the 2024
Clay Barton Scholarship. The surprise, coordinated between the Barton School and Maize
High School officials, included an announcement and presentation of a ceremonial check
to Swart during one of her classes. The $50,000 scholarship is one of the largest
business scholarships in Kansas.
“I was not expecting it at all,” said Swart after receiving the exciting news. “Now
that I’ve won it, I’m able to do so much more. This will open up opportunities like
internships, a sorority and clubs that I wouldn’t have had time for. I’m so happy,
I can’t wait to call my dad.”
Swart, who plans to major in marketing, was named the 2024 Barton Scholar after competing
against numerous other high school seniors in a series of speeches, group exercises
and other activities.
“We were so impressed with her communication skills and driven personality,” said
Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School. “I’m glad we were able to make a special
moment even more special with our visit to Maize High. The Barton Scholars are some
of our top students and alumni that come through our program and I can’t wait to see
what Faith accomplishes in her time with us and beyond.”
Along with being an exemplary student, Swart is president of the National Honor Society,
a member of Student Council and Student Ambassador organizations and participates
in track and cross country at Maize High School. She will begin taking classes at
WSU in Fall 2024.
“I just felt connected to the staff and I felt like I belonged,” said Swart. “I really
like WSU, it just feels like home.”
