Kansas State University students learn from summer opportunities with Chapman Scholarships
Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2015
MANHATTAN — Five undergraduate students at Kansas State University are recipients of $5,000 Mark Chapman Scholarships through the College of Arts & Sciences.
The scholarships were awarded to Garrett Wilkinson, sophomore in public health nutrition and microbiology, Hutchinson; Tracie Thibault, sophomore in biology and pre-optometry, Salina; Logan Robertson, sophomore in graphic design, Shawnee; Matthew Rogers, junior in anthropology, Topeka; and Hayley Holt, junior in biology and pre-medicine, Savannah, Missouri.
The Chapman Scholars Program allows College of Arts & Sciences students to develop and pursue opportunities in support of their educational and career goals. The program awards five scholarships annually. Scholars received $3,000 of the award for summer projects or activities related to their career aspirations, and are currently using the remaining $2,000 as academic scholarships.
"Mark Chapman hoped that the Chapman Scholars Program would help students take advantage of exceptional opportunities that would give momentum to their aspirations," said Jim Hohenbary, director of Kansas State University's Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships. "The current recipients certainly lived up to that expectation. I hope current students in their first and second year will be encouraged by their example, and dream big about what they might do with their summer break."
Wilkinson worked in Nepal with the Open World Cause, a student-led, nonprofit organization he helped initiate while in high school. As director, he worked to connect primary and secondary schools in the U.S. to schools in developing nations by using webcam programs to promote cross-cultural learning experiences for young students. The organization also works to provide Internet access, laptops, water filters, school lunch program funding and other aides to partner schools in less affluent areas. Wilkinson is treasurer of Wildcats for International Development and student program coordinator for HandsOn Kansas State. In addition to a Chapman Scholarship, he received a Kassebaum Scholarship, a Civic Leadership Scholarship and a Morse Scholarship. A graduate of Buhler High School, he is the son of Victor and Angela Wilkinson, Hutchinson.
Thibault worked at the Hillside International Health Care Clinic in Punta Gorda, Belize. For eight weeks she applied the clinic's motto of "learning by serving" to her work. She gained hands-on experience in optometry practices such as conducting visual acuity exams, screening patients for diabetes and administering eye drops. Thibault's work also included aiding in overnight mobile clinics to remote villages, where there was a wide range of health concerns from diseases of poverty to vision and dental problems. She is now considering a medical degree because of her involvement with the clinics. Thibault is a member of the Pre-optometry Club, the Student Foundation board and Silver Key, the sophomore honorary. In addition to the Chapman Scholarship she received the Dane G. Hansen Foundation Scholarship, the Kansas State Achievement Award and the Monsignor Clement A. Kruse Scholarship. A graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Salina, she is the daughter of Duane and Eileen Thibault, Salina.
Robertson interned at the Pea Island Art Gallery in Salvo, North Carolina. At the gallery, she processed shipments of new inventory that included pottery, paintings, prints and jewelry from more than 120 artists. To gain a broader understanding of art as an occupation, she received lessons in painting outdoor scenery, called plein air painting. Robertson also created her own jewelry business, learning to price her jewelry pieces and how to brand and display them. In addition to the Chapman Scholarship, Robertson received a Weary Art Scholarship, the Mary Lucille Dunn Art Scholarship and a Foundation Plus Scholarship. She also placed first in the seventh annual University Life Cafe Art Contest. A graduate of Mill Valley High School, Robertson is the daughter of Chuck and Susan Robertson, Shawnee.
Rogers spent his summer studying the culture of India and Nepal in a two-part trip. First, he stayed in Kathmandu with a local family who provided him an inside view of the Nepali culture. While there, he saw the aftereffects of the April 2015 earthquake and surveyed destroyed villages and their corresponding relocation camps. The second part of his journey included experiencing Indian culture. He was particularly interested in studying a religious group called the sadhus, or holy men of Hinduism. These experiences gave him a firsthand look at problems in other cultures. Rogers is active in the Anthropology Club and served as head matching chair for International Buddies. He also is a member of the Rotaract Club. In addition to the Chapman Scholarship, he received a Transfer Scholarship. Rogers in currently studying in Ireland. A graduate of Topeka West High School, Rogers is the son of Steve and Chris Rogers, Topeka.
Holt interned at South Infirmary Hospital and the University of Cork Hospital in Cork, Ireland. By traveling abroad, she learned about the universal health care process and how it affects patient care and health care professionals. Her objective was to complete a comparative analysis of the health care systems in the U.S. and Ireland. She also observed various surgeries, such as simple fracture reductions to total hip replacements. Holt is the leadership chair of her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, and the co-vice president of Chimes, the junior honorary. She is a member of the Pre-medicine Club, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Phi Eta Sigma. She also serves as president of the Pre-health Ambassadors. In addition to the Chapman Scholarship, Holt received the Global Education Initiative Scholarship, the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry Scholarship and the June D. Hull Sherrid Cancer Center Scholarship. Holt also received a fall 2014 Cancer Research Award from the Johnson Cancer Center. A graduate of Savannah High School, she is the daughter of Kennard and Rachelle Holt, Savannah, Missouri.
The Chapman Scholars Program was named for Mark Chapman, a Clay Center native who graduated from Kansas State University in 1965 with a dual bachelor's degree in history and political science. While at the university, he lettered in football, track and softball, and was a member of Army ROTC and Acacia fraternity. Chapman later earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas. He was a successful entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry, and also was a painter, poet and supporter of the arts.
The deadline to apply for the 2016 Chapman Scholarship Program is Feb. 1, 2016. To learn more about the Chapman Scholars Program other scholarships while a student at Kansas State University, contact Jim Hohenbary at jimlth@k-state.edu or review the application.
