The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University announces the selection of three distinguished industry leaders to be inducted into its inaugural, newly minted “Beyond” Hall of Fame. The inaugural group of inductees will be recognized for their visionary leadership and outstanding contributions to the Barton School and community during an induction celebration on February 17, 2024:

• Frank Barton: President of Barton Distributors from 1952 until 1979 and Co-Founder of Rent-A-Center in 1973 with partner Tom Devlin. In May 1987, he and his wife, Patsy, gave $12 million to endow WSU’s Business School which was later dedicated in his name. Barton was also appointed to the WSU Board of Trustees and was bestowed the Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa degree and was the chair of the WSU Foundation Board. He passed away in September 2000. His son, Craig Barton, will accept the honor on his behalf.
• Clark Bastian: Chairman of the Board at Fidelity Bank. He joined Fidelity in 1976 and served as Executive Vice President of Fidelity’s operating subsidiaries before becoming President and CEO. Clark is a Barton School alumnus where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. Clark has a passion for giving back to the community and has contributed his time and talents to numerous civic and charitable organizations. He served a three-year term as Chairman of the Dean’s Advisory Board of the Barton School of Business at Wichita State University. He is also a member of WSU’s National Advisory Council. He has served on numerous boards, including those of the Wichita Community Foundation, Wichita State University Foundation and Rotary Club of Wichita.
• Fran Jabara: Founded the Center for Entrepreneurship at WSU, which was the first of its kind on a college campus and has been recognized internationally as one of the finest, most comprehensive programs in the nation. He was a former Dean of the Business School and in 1996, Jabara Hall was dedicated in his honor. He also founded Jabara Ventures Group and VentureKids. He died in 2015. His family will accept the honor on his behalf.

“Inducting Frank Barton, Clark Bastian and Fran Jabara into the Barton School of Business Hall of Fame is a testament to their exceptional contributions and dedication,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School. “Individually, they have played an instrumental role in shaping the trajectory of the Barton School as well as exemplified the spirit of going beyond and have left an enduring impact on our institution and the business community.”

Beyond: An Evening of Inspiration

The “Beyond” Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on February 17, 2024, at the elegant Mark Arts venue. This event will bring together business luminaries, university leaders, and esteemed alumni to commemorate the outstanding achievements of these industry trailblazers. This gala, designed to be a signature occasion, will deliver an unforgettable evening. Guests will experience a culinary journey featuring exquisite cuisine, be captivated by top-notch live entertainment and have the opportunity to participate in a live auction. 

“We are thrilled to host this momentous occasion as we honor these extraordinary individuals,” said Stephanie Luetters, Chair of the Barton School’s Hall of Fame event.  “Their achievements serve as an inspiration to future generations of business leaders and entrepreneurs.”

Beyond: Opportunities for Sponsorship

Opportunities for event sponsorship are available, allowing businesses and organizations to showcase their support for education and align their brand with this distinguished event. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Jessie Rainey, Senior Director of Development for the Barton School at the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement at  jessie.rainey@wichita.edu  or 316.978.3948.

Join us in honoring and celebrating the remarkable achievements of Frank Barton, Clark Bastian and Fran Jabara. All event proceeds will support initiatives to attract and retain top student talent, contributing to the development of a strong workforce pipeline for businesses in Wichita, across Kansas and beyond.  For more information about the Barton School’s inaugural Hall of Fame event, visit www.wichita.edu/BartonBeyond.