The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has received a $150,000 gift to support its Student Experience and Success Fund including its Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD). The contribution was given on behalf of Elizabeth and Edward Burns, whose charitable fund was established through their estate at the Wichita Foundation in 2013.
“The Barton School is honored to receive this substantial gift from the Burns estate through the Wichita Foundation,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School. “This contribution will provide a breadth of opportunities for our students to challenge themselves and grow into the best versions of themselves.”
OCPD is aimed at linking academic programs to meaningful personal and professional lives by preparing Barton School undergraduate and graduate students to land quality internships and employment in their desired field. Many of the college’s signature career programs are now housed within OCPD including Executive-in-Residence, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Widener Global Leaders Program, Professional Edge and others.
To honor Elizabeth and Edward Burns for their gift, the Barton School is naming its Student Leadership Suite in Woolsey Hall after the couple.
“Every Barton student who aspires to be a leader in their community will see and know the Burns name,” said Mel Whiteside, Executive Director of the Office of Career and Professional Development in the Barton School of Business.
This is not the first donation the Burns have made to Wichita State. During their lifetime, they supported the Marcus Welcome Center project and the addition to the President’s Residence.
“Over the years, thousands of students have benefitted from the generosity of Elizabeth and Edward Burns,” said Dr. Shirley Lefever, executive vice president and provost at WSU. “The efforts aimed at advancing Barton School’s student experience and success initiatives will continue to uphold their legacy.”
For more information on the Barton School, visit wichita.edu/academics/business/