Cari Schmidt Clayton Scholarship

Cari S. Clayton is a shining example of someone who wants to give back to the university that helped build the foundation for her successful career.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s in business administration at Wichita State, she has held senior positions at several Wichita banks, including her current position as senior vice president for commercial lending at UMB Bank. Additionally, Ms. Clayton shared her business expertise by working as an adjunct instructor in finance for the W. Frank Barton School of Business. Each year she enjoys judging the Shocker New Venture Competition.

Ms. Clayton’s relationship with Wichita State began as a child growing up in Macksville, Kan., when her father would take the family to watch almost every Shocker home basketball game. As a student, Ms. Clayton was active in Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society. Today, she is a Society of 1895 member and a life member of the WSU Alumni Association. She also served on the board of directors of the Junior League of Wichita, Botanica and Miracles Inc. Ms. Clayton established the Cari Schmidt Clayton Scholarship in 2013 to help Kansas high school graduates pursuing a career in business.