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 due to its double AACSB accreditation in business and accounting.
Housed in the award-winning building, Woolsey Hall, features artwork, sculptures,
gardens, and The Promise Bridge – a 300-foot-long pedestrian bridge over the water
in front of the building.
Since its opening in 2020, Woolsey Hall has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors—from
students and faculty to architectural, artistic, and recreational enthusiasts. As
the proud home of the W. Frank Barton School of Business, it continues to captivate
individuals from around the globe. Over the weekend of May 31, that number grew significantly,
as more than 5,000 guests toured the grounds to experience the Kay Woolsey Gardens,
one of six featured locations in the Annual Garden Tour sponsored by the Sedgwick
County Extension Office’s Master Gardener Program.
“We were honored and excited to be selected for this year’s garden tour,” said Dr.
Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School. “At the Barton School, we believe in blooming—in
our students, our community, and the vibrant plant life that surrounds Woolsey Hall
and the Promise Bridge. The gardens reflect both the natural beauty within us all
and the resilience it takes to grow in any environment.”
The Kay Woolsey Gardens are a striking blend of native plants and grasses, winter-hardy
hibiscus, perennials, greenhouse tropicals, and houseplants. Art installations are
thoughtfully integrated into the landscape, while buffer strip plantings around the
pond enhance both aesthetic appeal and environmental health—improving water quality,
minimizing algae blooms, and creating wildlife habitats.
This transformation is largely due to the vision and dedication of Rick Case, WSU’s
First Gentleman. A former agronomist with 37 years at the United States Department
of Agriculture, Case volunteered his expertise to lead the gardens’ beautification and sustainability efforts. His work has played a key role in maintaining Woolsey Hall’s LEED (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification by championing sustainable, native
landscaping practices.
“The work Rick and his team have done is extraordinary,” added Genin. “His vision
has turned Woolsey Hall into a regional destination. I look forward to watching it
flourish in the seasons ahead.”
Future plans for the Kay Woolsey Gardens include expanded landscaping, seasonal flower
displays, and new outdoor art and sculpture installations. To learn more about Woolsey
Hall, visit https://www.wichita.edu/academics/business/woolsey-hall.php.
