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.
The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University will take part in one of
Wall Street’s most iconic traditions this spring as school leaders and key stakeholders
travel to New York City to ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE),
marking a milestone moment during the Barton School’s centennial celebration.
The bell-ringing ceremony, globally recognized as a symbol of market close and financial
achievement, will showcase the Barton School’s 100-year legacy of excellence in business
education, leadership, and impact—across Kansas and far beyond.
“Ringing the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange is an extraordinary honor
and a powerful moment for our school as we celebrate a century of impact,” said Dr.
Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “It represents not only our history
but the global ambitions of our students, faculty and alumni who continue to shape
industries and communities around the world.”
The ceremony will be broadcast live through several global platforms including the
NYSE’s YouTube channel as well as financial news networks such as CNBC and Bloomberg. The event is also
syndicated to numerous regional and local broadcast stations, extending the Barton
School’s centennial celebration to audiences around the world.
“As a proud Barton School alumnus, it is incredibly rewarding to see the school recognized
and celebrated on a global stage such as the New York Stock Exchange,” said Richard
Dinkel, Chair of the Barton School’s Dean’s Advisory Board and Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Koch, Inc. “This moment not only honors a century of
excellence, but also signals the bold trajectory of the next 100 years. The Barton
School is shaping a new generation of leaders—individuals equipped to lead with confidence,
drive innovation, and deliver meaningful value from day one.”
In addition to the bell ringing, Genin will participate in a “Taking Stock” interview
with NYSE host JD Durkin. The segment will feature conversation around the Barton
School’s initiatives, partnerships and ongoing work in business education and research.
The interview will stream across Cheddar, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and the NYSE TV app.
The invitation to ring the Closing Bell reflects the Barton School’s growing national
presence and its continued commitment to applied learning, industry collaboration
and student success.
As the Barton School celebrates its centennial year, the NYSE ceremony serves as a
moment of reflection and momentum. It honors a legacy built over the past 100 years
while looking ahead to the next generation of business leaders.
“Ringing the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange reflects the Barton School’s
century-long commitment to developing leaders who create impact far beyond Wichita,”
said Rachel Douglass, Centennial Chair of the Barton School of Business, director
of state and local government relations at Textron, and a Barton School alumna. “It’s
a celebration of the generations of students, alumni and partners who continue to
carry that legacy forward.”
The NYSE Closing Bell ceremony will take place on Monday, April 6. Live coverage will
begin at 2:55 p.m. CST, with the official bell ringing at 3 p.m.
