Program to help first-generation college students selects inaugural scholars at Kansas State University
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
MANHATTAN — The First Scholars, a new program at Kansas State University for first-generation college students, has selected its inaugural scholars. These students will be incoming freshmen at the university in fall 2014.
Recipients of the First Scholars program are awarded $5,000 annually, which is renewable as long as students maintain a certain GPA. The scholarship totals $20,000 for four years. Students in the program will participate in a transition course and enrichment activities to enhance their college education. Kansas State University is one of seven higher education institutions to be funded by the First Scholars program. Other institutions include: University of Kentucky, University of Alabama, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, University of Memphis, Northern Arizona University and Washington State University.
The First Scholars program is an initiative of The Suder Foundation, a private foundation in Plano, Texas. The program provides a holistic approach to increasing the four-year graduation rate of first-generation college students while preparing students for a life with self-awareness, success and significance. The Suder Foundation provides initial start-up funding with Kansas State University providing matching funds.
The inaugural First Scholars at Kansas State University include:
Ashley Coleman, Colby, Colby High School; Mandie Bennett, Dighton, Dighton High School; Ansley Herzog, Ellinwood, Ellinwood High School; Adam Koch, Frankfort, Frankfort High School.
From Greater Kansas City: Delante Madden, Kansas City, Kan., J.C. Harmon High School; Rachel Meyers, Olathe South High School, and Callie Reynolds, Olathe South High School, both from Olathe; and Simran Malhi, Shawnee Mission West High School, Sydney Penberthy, Blue Valley Northwest High School, and Taylor Underwood, Shawnee Mission North High School, all from Overland Park.
Josh Woods, Haysville, Campus High School; Tyler Aden, Buhler High School, and Brandon Heide, Hutchinson High School, both from Hutchinson; Karina Michel, Liberal, Liberal High School; Jonathan Gillespie, Lyons, Lyons High School; Kaleb Koerperich, Marysville, Marysville High School.
From Wichita: Jerrod Conley, Campus High School; Denisse Reyes, Wichita South High School; Anthony Mai, Wichita Northeast Magnet High School; and Anthony Vitale, Maize South High School.
