Donna Jabara-Baker Alumnae of the Year Award
Awarded at Founder's Day every year to the outstanding Alumnae of the year.

Donna Jabara-Baker was initiated in Pi Kappa Psi @ WSU in 1955. She was Sergeant of Arms, 1955; Assistant Treasurer 1956; and Treasurer 1957. In 1957, Donna became a charter member of the Beta Chi Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta, where she was among the first pledge class. In 1958, Donna was initiated as part of the first group of Beta Chi initiates. As a member of the Wichita Alumnae Chapter, Donna held the following offices; Chapter Advisor in 1960, founder's Day Chairman, help initiate the 1st Christmas Party, Calling Commitee, Primary fundraiser for the Captial Endowment Campaign 1990 and always volunteered time and money wherever needed. We lost Donna in 1991.

Award Recipients
1975 - Kathleen Thomas
1976 - Kay Hoffman
1977 - Nancy Martin
1978 - Joyce Hulgren
1979 - Janet Wright
1980 - Anne Nelson
1981 - Kay Swartz
1982 - Julie Swartz
1983 - Bobbie Harris
1984 - Pat Smith
1985 - Susie Eastman
1986 - Renee Farha
1987 - Susie Dwerlkotte
1988 - Kim Lary, Julie Welsh, Susie Dwerlkotte
1989 - Diana Tangeman
1990 - Sandy Stump
1991 - Denise Converse
1992 - Debbie Nordyke, Sharon Hantla
1993 - Tracey Corby
1994 - Eleanor Carr, Charlotte Classen Dickman, Merle Kahrs (Memorial to all 3)
1995 - Kay Hoffman
1996 - Karla Gordon
1997 - Julie Tilley
1998 - Diane Rosell
1999 - Sandy Stump
2000 -
2001 -
2002 -
2003 -
2004 -
2005 -
2006 -
2007 - Tracee Patee & Emily Gleason
2008 -
2009 -

The Donna Jabara Baker Endowed Scholarship (Wichita State University Foundation)
Donna Jabara Baker graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor of arts in economics and a minor in accounting from Wichita University in 1958. Sister to legendary entrepreneur Fran Jabara and Wichita businesswoman Helen Galloway, she followed in their entrepreneurial footsteps. In 1973, Donna and Helen co-founded The First Place, a unique jewelry and gift store in east Wichita. In memory of a sister and businesswoman, the Donna Jabara Baker Endowed Scholarship was established in 1996 for students majoring in entrepreneurship. As well, Donna’s spirit and compassion are memorialized in the Plaza of Heroines. More info about this scholarship at WSU Scholarships in Entrepreneurship

Donna is memorialized in the Plaza of Heroines, The dedication says this about her:
Donna Lee Jabara was one of the nine children of incredible parents, Farris and Hannah Jabara, who came to this country from Lebanon in their teens. She and her twin sister Duana were born April 16, 1936 in Burden, KS, where she spent her childhood and where she was a member of the Burden High School girls' basketball team before the family moved to Wichita in 1956. Donna and Duana, who later became Duana Jabara Starks, attended Wichita State University together. Donna graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Accounting in 1958. While attending Wichita State University Donna was a member of Pi Kappa Psi sorority. She remained very active in Gamma Phi Beta sorority after the two groups were affiliated. Donna had a broad range of interests, including her love for intellectual pursuits, her love of working with young people and her interest in spectator sports and tennis. As an avid sports enthusiast, she thrived on competition. Following in the entrepreneurial footsteps of her parents and siblings, Donna became a businesswoman. In 1973 she and her sister Helen Galloway co-founded The First Place, a unique store offering elegant jewelry and gifts to a discerning clientele. A former employee recalls that Donna was always relaxed, expressing her pleasure in serving her customers and taking delight in finding just the right gift for a special person or occasion. Donna loved her family, and they loved her. After her father's death in 1957 she lived with her mother until her marriage to Loren Baker. She was a beloved wife, stepmother, daughter, sister and aunt. Her nephew, Harvey, honored her memory on the occasion of his marriage to Missy Hettick, a sorority sister in Gamma Phi. Donna and Missy had such a special relationship that she played matchmaker for Missy and Harvey. Harvey recalled her generosity of spirit at his marriage celebration in 1994 when he said: "May this ceremony not only celebrate our unity but also, in a small way, celebrate Donna's life on this earth and our everlasting memory of her. We thank Donna for her good deed, as she is the reason we are here tonight. We know she looks down upon us with a smile on her face. she knows this is a night for joy and happiness." Donna Jabara Baker bestowed the very essence of style, grace and beauty. She was distinguished for her compassion, her passion, her huge heart, her generosity. Donna's spirit still enriches the lives of all of the family and friends who remember her wisdom, her kindness and her beauty with love and gratitude. More info at Donna Jabara Baker is honored with a Medium Bench from Fran Jabara

In 1925 she became one of the 20 charter members of Pi Kappa Psi at WSU, Which later became Gamma Phi Beta in 1958. She was very involved in the sorority and on campus. She died in 1964 at the age of 62.

She was an english major and worked at The Wichita Eagle in public relations. She also was a radio and TV personality for several years and was one of the first women to have her own TV show, which was on Channel 12, and was called "Helen Gard Presents."

She was also a prominent civic leader and was involved in many other activities besides Gamma Phi beta including: WSU Alumni Association (her husband was also president of the assoc. in 1961), the American Association of University Women, Wichita Press Women (president of the Kansas Press Women in 1962), Altrusa Club, 20th Century Club, Eunice Sterling Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution), Acacia Chapter of Eastern Star, Program Chairman of the Girl Scouts in the Wichita area.

< 2008 -
2007 - Nicole Lloyd
2006 -
2005 -