Source: James Hohenbary, 785-532-6904, jimlth@k-state.edu
Photos available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-2535.
News release prepared by: Jennifer Torline, 785-532-0847, jtorline@k-state.edu

Friday, Feb. 4, 2011

FOUR STUDENTS COMPETE FOR TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIPS

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University is nominating four students to compete for 2011 Harry S. Truman Scholarships: Melanie Hall, Junction City; Ariel Anib, Olathe; Emily Patton, Prairie Village; and McKenzie Snow, Wichita.

The Truman Scholarship is a national competition that provides up to $30,000 for graduate study to students committed to future careers in public service. Between 60 and 65 scholarship are awarded each year. This year's Truman scholar finalists will be announced Feb. 22, and scholars will be announced March 31.

With 32 K-State students winning Truman Scholarships since the program began in 1977, K-State ranks first in the nation among 500 state universities.

Hall is a senior in psychology and premedicine with certification in conflict resolution. In summer 2010 she went on a service learning trip to volunteer at an autism unit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in Africa. Hall has worked with Matthew Palmatier, assistant professor of psychology, to research the pharmacological effects of caffeine. The past three years she has presented the research at the Society for Neuroscience's International Convention. Hall is an ambassador for non-traditional and veteran student services, a study abroad mentor and a member of K-State's Golden Key chapter. She is also an undergraduate research assistant in psychobiology, a tutor with USD 475 and an applied behavior analysis provider for kids diagnosed with autism. Hall has received a scholarship to study peace and conflict in Northern Ireland. A 2001 graduate of Junction City High School, she is the daughter of Thomas and Cynthia Hall, Junction City.

Anib is a junior in pre-law, criminology and international/Latin American studies. She serves as a research assistant under Nadia Shapkina, assistant professor of sociology, and has worked on a project about human trafficking. Anib founded an organization called K-Staters that Care and will be organizing the Stop Slavery Summit 2011, an event to raise awareness about human trafficking. She serves as a multicultural assistant with Goodnow Hall and is the recruitment and mentoring chair of Nonprofit Student Leadership Alliance through K-State's School of Leadership Studies. She received the inaugural Wildcat Peace Award. Anib graduated from Olathe East High School in 2008 and is the daughter of Raymond Moses-Anib and Rhonda Workcuff, Olathe.

Patton is a senior in anthropology and psychology with a secondary major in natural resources and environmental sciences. She is currently a volunteer for Neotropical Primate Conservation, a nonprofit organization in Peru, and is conducting behavioral research on yellow-tailed woolly monkeys. In summer 2010 she was an apprentice at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute. She has also performed research at the El Zota Biological Field Station in Costa Rica. Patton is a member of the K-State honors program, Smurthwaite Scholarship/Leadership House and the K-State Anthropology Club. She is a teacher's assistant for introductory physical anthropology, a docent at the Sunset Zoo and a volunteer at the T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter. She is a Foundation Scholar and has received the Mark Chapman Scholarship and Ernest L. and Hettie C. Lahr Scholarship. Patton graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in 2008 and is the daughter of Leon and Connie Patton, Prairie Village.

Snow is a senior in political science and pre-law. She is a College of Arts and Sciences senator with the K-State Student Governing Association, vice chair of the College Council allocation committee, College of Arts and Sciences ambassador and vice president of Chimes, the junior honorary. Snow is also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, the K-State honors program, the dean of student life's advisory committee and the University Committee on Governmental Issues. She is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar who will pursue a master's degree in Sweden in fall 2011 and a Chapman Scholar who served and studied in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. She received a spring 2010 Undergraduate Fellowship for the Study of Classical Liberalism, among other scholarships and awards. She recently completed a congressional internship, serves as the student coordinator of Manhattan Good Neighbors and is a volunteer with the Riley County Court Appointed Special Advocates. Snow graduated from Kapaun Mount Carmel High School in 2008 and is the daughter of Windell Snow and Brenda Gerleman-Snow, Wichita.