The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University announces the creation of the Ross Tidemann Scholarship, a new four-year scholarship that will support incoming Barton School students through the Allen, Gibbs, and Houlik Scholarship Competition beginning in fall 2026.

Established by Wichita philanthropist Karma Tidemann in honor of her late husband, Ross Tidemann, the scholarship will provide $12,500 annually for four years to one incoming student. The scholarship is designed to support students with demonstrated financial need while recognizing academic achievement and leadership potential.

The addition of the Ross Tidemann Scholarship expands the Barton School’s portfolio of premier scholarship opportunities within the AGH Scholarship Competition alongside the Clay Barton and Jabara scholarships.

"Ross believed deeply in the power of education, hard work, and personal accountability, always challenging himself and others to be their best," said Karma Tidemann. “He was proud of his Wichita State accounting degree and the life and career it helped him build. My hope is that this scholarship will honor his legacy by helping students pursue their goals and realize their potential regardless of financial circumstances.”

Ross Tidemann, who passed away in 2024, was a longtime Wichita business leader, real estate investor and Wichita State alumnus. After earning his accounting degree from Wichita State University, he spent more than four decades at J.P. Weigand & Sons while remaining active in community and philanthropic efforts throughout Wichita. Known for his generosity and commitment to family, friends and community, Tidemann maintained strong ties to education and mentorship throughout his life.

“What makes this scholarship especially meaningful is its focus on financial need,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “This investment creates transformational access for talented students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue a Barton School education. We are deeply grateful to Karma Tidemann for honoring Ross’ legacy in a way that will impact students for generations to come.”

The scholarship will be awarded through the AGH Scholarship Competition, the Barton School’s premier scholarship award program for incoming students. Eligible applicants must:

• Be a May 2027 high school graduate
• Meet minimum academic requirements through GPA, ACT, SAT or class rank
• Declare a major within the Barton School of Business
• Applicants must demonstrate financial need

This year the competition will be held on November 20, 2026. Selection will be based on academic merit, work experience, and financial need. The application deadline for the 2026 competition is Nov. 8, 2026 and more information is available at https://www.wichita.edu/agh.

“This scholarship represents the kind of impact that can change the trajectory of a student’s life,” said Corey Saleh, WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement senior director of development for the Barton School. “By combining merit and financial need, we are able to support students with exceptional promise while also helping remove barriers that can stand in the way of higher education.”

The Barton School continues to invest in high-achieving students through experiential learning, industry connections and transformational financial support designed to help students thrive during college and beyond. Students interested in competing for the Ross Tidemann Scholarship and other premier Barton School opportunities can learn more about admissions, academic programs and scholarship pathways at https://www.wichita.edu/barton.