Sources: Art DeGroat, 785-532-0369, degroata@k-state.edu;
and Barb Patterson, jbhnpatterson@yahoo.com
News release prepared by: Nellie Ryan, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

TEN STUDENTS FROM MILITARY FAMILIES RECEIVING SCHOLARSHIPS AS PART OF K-STATE PARTNERSHIP WITH FORT RILEY

MANHATTAN -- Fort Riley has a community-based, combined scholarship program where local civic and corporate sponsors donate money and award scholarships to local students and spouses of Fort Riley military families. Kansas State University is now in its second year of partnering with Fort Riley on this effort, allowing students the opportunity to pursue college.

"The growth of this partnership scholarship program is testimony to K-State's enduring commitment to serve our military, especially the military family," said Art DeGroat, K-State's director of military affairs. "We maintain a military-inclusive campus community that respects, values and fully commits itself to military students. These scholarships will help enable the future success of these very special students who have persevered and succeeded despite difficult family dynamics caused by prolonged wartime deployments."

The K-State-Fort Riley Partnership program has selected 10 applicants as recipients of merit-based scholarships -- totaling $26,850 combined -- for their freshman year at K-State. An additional $18,750 will become available to renew the scholarships, if earned, in the students' second year at K-State, making the total value of the scholarships $45,600 combined.

"The accessibility of having a four-year university in the area and being able to work with K-State because of its partnership with the military community is something that you might not find at other posts," said Barb Patterson, chair of the Fort Riley Combined Scholarship program. "It makes it easier on students who move from place to place. Mobility-wise and access-wise they have an opportunity to begin their college career while they are at Fort Riley."

Scholarships will be presented at an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 29, at Fort Riley Division Headquarters.

Recipients, all high school seniors, their scholarship and high school include:

Alexander Campbell, Abilene, Abilene High School, $2,250 Foundation Scholarship, and renewable for $1,250 with a 3.5 grade point average.

Kaitlin Downing, Fort Riley, Manhattan High School, $3,750 Foundation Plus Scholarship, renewable for $1,250 with at least a 3.5 grade point average.

Lara Riviere, Fort Riley, Junction City High School, $3,000 Memorial Scholarship.

Kenyata Simpkins, Fort Riley, Junction City High School, $600 Memorial Scholarship.

Cassandra Townsend, Fort Riley, Junction City High School, $1,000 Activity Scholarship.

Carianne McCabe, Junction City, Junction City High School, $2,000 Opportunity Scholarship.

Vanessa Boehm, Manhattan, Manhattan High School, $3,000 Leadership Scholarship.

Dylan Johnson, Manhattan, Manhattan High School, $3,750 Foundation Plus Scholarship, renewable for $1,250 with at least a 3.5 grade point average.

Labrina Kelly, Manhattan, Manhattan High School, $3,750 Foundation Plus Scholarship, renewable for $1,250 with at least a 3.5 grade point average.

Matthew Messerla, Manhattan, Riley County High School, $3,750 Foundation Plus Scholarship, renewable for $1,250 with at least a 3.5 grade point average.