Business

Business Hall of Fame

The Southwestern Business Hall of Fame was established in order to honor alumni who have excelled and obtained significant success in their chosen field of business. The college is known for having a quality business program and for producing outstanding graduates. It is the intent of the college to honor graduates who excel in their respective fields of study.

For information on Southwestern's business department, please refer to the business webpage.

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2024 Business Hall of Fame

Inductees

Dick Barnes (retired faculty)

Alex Gottlob `09

Business Builder Award

Timber Creek Floral and Gifts

2024 Inductees

Richard Barnes, former Professor of Economics and Marketing at Southwestern College, was a worldwide teacher of management training skills to young professionals, both at Southwestern and for major corporations during his career from 1963 to 2016. During these 53 years, he taught thousands of young men and women how to be more effective in serving customer needs. His effort in this regard will always be remembered as his greatest skill to others.

Barnes spent 40 years of his career with Southwestern College. He spent six years with IBM and Xerox, at which time he held the position of Senior Sales Representative in the Information Systems Group and was a member of the “President’s Club.” For another seven years, he provided management training around the world and throughout the United States for Dresser Industries and GTE. The experience he gained from these corporations and brought to Southwestern was invaluable for his students. It gave them real-world perspective on business and sales management. During his tenure at Southwestern College, among other titles, was the Director of the Management Science Division. In that capacity, he conducted sales and marketing training seminars which served sales representatives in the Wichita, Kansas area.

Barnes was adored and admired by his students. He was the favorite of many.

Alex Gottlob `09 is an energetic entrepreneur who enjoys many aspects of being a business owner/ operator. He owns and operates Gottlob Lawn and Landscape LLC and is also a partner in a local property investment company called Frontier Investment Group LLC.

During the summer after his 6th-grade year, he began mowing lawns with family-owned equipment. Fast forward to what will be 25 years this summer and now along with his wife, they work together to operate what is a complete lawn and landscape company that includes a full-service nursery and garden center.

In 2016, Gottlob, along with two friends, formed Frontier Investment Group LLC. Since its formation, they have purchased several Winfield historic buildings. The group takes pride in its properties by investing in their upkeep, functionality, and historical significance. In addition to commercial properties, they also have a portfolio of residential single and multi-family properties.

A few of the awards he is most proud of include the 2006-2007 Student of the Year at Cowley College, the Cowley College Young Achiever Award in 2014, and the Outstanding Cowley College Tiger Alumni Award in 2018. He enjoyed his time at Southwestern as a student and is extremely proud of all the positive yet challenging things happening at the college.

2024 Business Builder Award

Timber Creek Floral Logo Timber Creek Floral - I grew up in Winfield, at 13 years old my Dad was transferred from the manager position at the Winfield JC Penney's to a store in southern California. Upon graduating from high school in Whittier, CA I enrolled at Southwestern College, following my older brother who was attending. I took a floral design class from Donna Demint and really loved it. I went back to California for Christmas break when my father was retiring from JC Penney's. He loved my passion for flowers. It was all I talked about, so he bought a flower shop and a year later he bought a second flower shop. Forty-plus years later my life in the floral industry was meant to be. I moved back to Kansas in 2009, and married my Junior High sweetheart, Jim Golightley. I am a proud mother to 2 daughters, 2 bonus kids and a BiBi to 7 grandkids. We purchased Donna's Designs on April 1st, 2015. We just celebrated 9 years at Timber Creek Floral. I am very honored to receive the Business Builder Award for 2024. Thank you so much for supporting our small local business Timber Creek Floral.

Criteria

Candidates for induction into the Southwestern College Business Hall of Fame will be considered for induction based on their achievements, professionalism, and character. A significant achievement is one in which the exceptional skills and abilities of the candidate are exemplified. All candidates must be alumni of Southwestern College.

Nomination

Nominations will be received from alumni and friends of the college. In order for a nomination to be formally accepted, a completed nomination form must be submitted to the nominations committee. Nominations will be sought via college publications, electronic means, and special communications. Once an individual is formally nominated, that name will remain eligible for selection for induction for 5 years. After that time has passed, the individual must be formally nominated again to be considered for selection. The nomination pool will be managed and maintained by the alumni department.

Business Hall of Fame Nomination Form

Selection

The selection of inductees will be made by the selection committee of the college.

Number of Inductees

The number of inductees per year will be no more than three, one of which may be inducted posthumously.

Business Hall of Fame Members

Southwestern College alumni who have made significant achievements in the field of business are recognized annually in the Business Hall of Fame. Since the inaugural year of 2002, many notable Moundbuilders have been honored by having their names placed in this Hall of Fame. The actual display is located in the center hallway of Mossman Hall on the Southwestern College main campus.

The Business Builder Award is a recognition given to business leaders (not necessarily alumni) who have created jobs, supported community institutions, and through their hard work and civic contributions have made a lasting impression on the quality of life in their region.

2024 Inductees
Dick Barnes (retired faculty)
Alex Gottlob `09

2024 Business Builder Award
Timber Creek Floral and Gifts

2023 Inductees
Daniel Sherron ‘15/’17
Naim Singleton ‘13

2023 Business Builder Award
RobotZone

2022 Inductees
Thornton House '72
John Nichols '87

2022 Business Builder Award
RCB Bank

2019 Inductees
Larry Ewart ’73
Cory Helmer '99

2019 Business Builder Award Recipient
Graves Drug

2018 Inductees
Dan Fauchier '68
Kelly Rundell '82

2018 Business Builder Award Recipient
Best Western Plus Patterson Park Inn

2017 Inductees
Brian T. Pettey '96
Dennis R. Hodges '81
Eric J. Kurtz '92

2017 Business Builder Award Recipient
Kline Motors Inc.

2016 Inductees
Todd E. Conklin '84
Bruce DeHaven '70
Benjamin S. Harrison '12

2016 Business Builder Award Recipient
Galaxy Technologies

2015 Inductees
Shawn Fanshier '83
Gregg A. Howell '73
Leo "Pete" Whalen '51

2015 Business Builder Award Recipient
Winfield Economic Development, Inc.

2014 Inductees
Rodney C. Kreie '77
James L. Richardson '70
Merle D. Sharick '68

2014 Business Builder Award Recipient
Sandy Foust (S & Y Industries)

2013 Inductees
Otis W. Morrow '70
Leonard R. Wolfe '79

2013 Business Builder Award Recipient
Blenda Hoskinson (College Hill Coffee)

2012 Inductees
Terri J. (McCorkle) Dalenta '87
Ronald L. Richardson '83

2012 Business Builder Award Recipient
Bob Redford

2011 Inductees
Laurence F. Jarvis '39
Robert P. Jewell '77
Michael D. Lewis '74

2011 Business Builder Award Recipient
Bob Tyler

2010 Inductees
Brad A. Bennett '73
Roger D. Crossman '92
William T. Seyb '65

2010 Business Builder Award Recipient
Bruce Schwyhart

2009 Inductees
Sue (Lewis) Hale '66
Jimmy L. Kline '67

2009 Business Builder Award Recipient
Todd Gentry

2008 Inductees
Keri (Alexander) Crask '82
Michael J. Foster '71
Richard L. Jantz '70

2008 Business Builder Award Recipient
Steve McSpadden

2007 Inductees
Ronald R. Denton '79
Ralph C. Hanna III '78
Rodney N. Strohl '66

2007 Business Builder Award Recipient
The Colvin Family/ High Plains Pizza

2005/2006 Inductees
Craig L. Anderson '82
John T. Smith '64
Wendell R. Smith '65

2005/2006 Business Builder Award Recipient
(Long & Neises, CPA's Chartered)
Jill Long and Patty Neises

2004 Inductees
Charles H. Kopke '44
Becky A. O'Neal '77
Stephen K. Stone '74

2004 Business Builder Award Recipient
Craig Duncan '02

2003 Inductees
James L. Buterbaugh '71
Arthur N. Modschiedler '59
Delmar O. Seevers '41

2003 Business Builder Award Recipient
(Daniels Rock and Ready Mix)
Betty Daniels

2002 Inductees
Larry Cantrell '71
Harold W. Deets '43
Dick Edmondson '50
James E. Farney '53
Paul L. Hellman '58
Armon L. Mills '64
Larry Montgomery '60
Deryl K. Schuster '57
Dale H. Snyder '51

2002 Business Builder Award Recipients
(Richardson Brothers Construction Co.)
I. Newton Richardson
Leonard O. Richardson '50