Sold-Out Barton School “Beyond” Hall of Fame Gala Commemorates Three Inductees, Raises
Over $800K for Student Success!
Feb. 22, 2024
By Barton School of Business
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 Saturday, February 17, 2024, the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita
State University 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.
“What an honor to celebrate the legacy of these three inaugural Hall of Fame inductees,
whose visionary leadership and outstanding contributions have gone above and beyond
to help transform and shape the Barton School of Business, Wichita State University,
and our entire city," said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School. "These extraordinary
leaders and visionaries have left an indelible mark on our community. We honor their
achievements and are inspired by their dedication to excellence. They should serve
as an inspiration to all of us. I am honored that we could recognize their work and
everlasting impact.”
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, we are 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 our target goal!
“Investing in education is an investment in the future," said Stephanie Luetters,
Chair of the Barton School of Business “Beyond” Hall of Fame gala and a distinguished
member of the Dean’s “Fabulous 50” Advisory Board. "When we channel resources toward
student experience and success, as well as scholarships, we nurture the seeds of innovation,
leadership, and societal progress. These funds will empower aspiring entrepreneurs,
leaders, and visionaries to dream bigger, learn deeper, and create lasting change.”
The next “Beyond” Hall of Fame gala is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February
21, 2026, coinciding with the Barton School’s 100th anniversary. And we are already
gearing up to surpass expectations for this milestone event!
