Business majors honored for academics and leadership

Baker University honored two graduates for their academic success and strong leadership skills by naming them the 2018 Fran Jabara Leadership Award recipients during commencement on May 20 at the Collins Center in Baldwin City.

Spencer Brown, Overland Park, Kansas, graduated summa cum laude with both bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees in business and economics. Mackenzie Brock, Dodge City, Kansas, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in accounting and business. Both graduates received their awards from Gary Irick, chair of the business and economics department.

The Fran Jabara Leadership Award Endowment recognizes the leadership potential of outstanding graduates of four-year private colleges in Kansas. The leadership awards are named in honor of renowned Wichita educator and entrepreneur F.D. (Fran) Jabara.

In 1949, Jabara joined the faculty at Wichita State, where he served for 40 years until he resigned in 1989. During his tenure, he was appointed Distinguished Professor in 1971 and served as dean of the College of Business Administration for seven years. Compelled by his advocacy of the American free enterprise system, Jabara founded in 1977 one of the nation’s first Centers for Entrepreneurship at Wichita State. The program became recognized as one of the best in the nation. He also co-founded the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs, the largest national organization for collegiate students interested in entrepreneurship, with members in all 50 states and 20 countries.