Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — Thanks to a generous scholarship, one Kansas State University student will be spending the summer months working to improve Kansas communities.

Zev Allen, Soldier, has received the Marjorie J. and Richard L.D. Morse Family and Community Public Policy Scholarship for summer 2014 from K-State Libraries. The $3,000 scholarship is awarded to support an undergraduate project that involves community service and has the potential to impact public policy.

Allen, a freshman in secondary education with an emphasis in chemistry, will use the scholarship to support his work in rural Kansas during an internship with Community CORE, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating spaces to live, work, play and grow.

Specifically, Allen will work with CORE to create bookmobile and summer food programs in the communities of Soldier, Circleville, Netawaka and Whiting — areas with higher-than-average poverty and unemployment rates. Since these towns don't have local libraries, the bookmobile will circulate children's book collections, while the food distribution will provide low-income youth with meals while school isn't in session.

"The Morse Scholarship is an extraordinary award because it not only recognizes an excellent K-State student, but it also connects that individual's energy and interests to a real-world problem," said Dean of Libraries Lori Goetsch. "We look forward to hearing about how Zev leverages his hard work to make a positive impact."

Allen said his love of small-town living motivated him to apply for the Morse Scholarship and work with Community CORE.

"I am very passionate about the values of rural community and want to ensure that future generations have the same opportunity to experience them. This small nonprofit exemplifies the value of neighbors-helping-neighbors, and I can't wait to join in," he said.

Allen's extracurricular involvements include serving on the Student Alumni Board and volunteering as a site coordinator with HandsOn Kansas State. He is in Silver Key Sophomore Honorary and is recruitment chair at his fraternity, Acacia. He is also employed at the university's Academic and Career Information Center as a career specialist.

The Morse Scholarship has been awarded annually since 2001. It was made possible through an endowment established by Marjorie J. and Dr. Richard L.D. Morse. Richard Morse was a longtime faculty member and administrator in the university's College of Human Ecology. Marjorie Morse became an expert in child care issues and served in numerous positions in that area throughout her career.

In recognition of their financial support of K-State Libraries special collections, the Richard L.D and Marjorie J. Morse Department of Special Collections was named in their honor in 1997.