Five Kansas high school seniors earn Kansas State University's Presidential Scholarship, state's largest scholarship award
Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016
The 2016-17 Kansas State University Presidential Scholarship recipients and finalists. Front row, from left: Mackenzie Gwinner, Clara Wicoff, Charles Edgar, Donovan Duggins, Michelle Anderson and Katherine Wurm. Middle row, from left: Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Pat Bosco, Noah Patterson, Ryan Boepple, Nicolas Rodriguez, Tyler Griggs, Jacob Marshall, Lanessa Aurand, Molly Mulqueen, Laura Hibschman, Jacklyn Dawson and College of Business Administration Associate Dean Stacy Kovar. Back row, from left: Dalton Huey, Braden Fain, Thomas Meek, Max Meyer, Noah Yoshida and Mark Petrie. Not picture is Jack Chessmore. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University has awarded the Presidential Scholarship, the largest scholarship award in the state, to five high school seniors from Kansas. Recipients include the first two winners of the new Presidential Scholarship for the College of Business Administration.
Winners of the $20,000-per-year Presidential Scholarship, worth $80,000 over four years, are Lanessa Aurand, Belleville, a senior at Republic County High School; Clara Wicoff, Iola, a senior at Iola High School; Michelle Anderson, Topeka, a senior at Seaman High School; and Donovan Duggins and Charles Edgar, both from Wichita and both seniors at Wichita East High School. Aurand and Anderson are recipients of the Presidential Scholarship for students who plan to choose a major in the College of Business Administration.
The scholarship competition was Jan. 25 at the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan. The university received 287 applications, and a selection committee chose 12 student finalists to interview for a general Presidential Scholarship and 11 students to interview for the Presidential Scholarship for the College of Business Administration.
As the largest and most selective scholarship award made by Kansas State University, the Presidential Scholarship seeks to recognize students who have been truly outstanding, both academically and as student leaders, during their high school career.
"K-State is working to become a Top 50 public research university by 2025, so having high-achieving students like these Presidential Scholarship awardees is important in helping the university reach its goals," said Kirk Schulz, president of Kansas State University. "I look forward to welcoming these outstanding students to the K-State family."
"The selection of these incredible students was extremely difficult and rewarding," said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. "It is through President Schulz's vision and the generous support of our alumni that these scholarships are made possible. Given what these winners and finalists have already accomplished, the future of K-State and our nation is in very good shape."
Selected as finalists for Kansas State University's Presidential Scholarship program include the following high school seniors:
From Greater Kansas City: Braden Fain, a senior at Olathe East High School, and Max Meyer, a senior at Shawnee Mission West High School, both from Lenexa; Nicolas Rodriguez, Olathe, a senior at Olathe Northwest High School; Ryan Boepple, a senior at Blue Valley Northwest High School, Laura Hibschman, a senior at Pembroke Hill School, and Noah Patterson, a senior at Blue Valley High School, all from Overland Park; Mark Petrie, Shawnee, a senior at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; and Jacob Marshall, Stilwell, a senior at Blue Valley High School.
Noah Yoshida, Lawrence, a senior at Bishop Seabury Academy.
From Manhattan: Jacklyn Dawson, a senior at Manhattan High School; Mackenzie Gwinner, at senior at Manhattan High School; and Dalton Huey, a senior at Riley County High School.
Katherine Wurm, McPherson, a senior at McPherson High School; Tyler Griggs, Sedgwick, a senior a Sedgwick High School; Thomas Meek, a senior at Washburn Rural High School, and Molly Mulqueen, a senior at Seaman High School, both from Topeka; and Jack Chessmore, Wichita, a senior at Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School.
The 2016-17 Presidential Scholarships are made possible by support from alumni and friends. The awards include the Mike and Becky Goss Presidential Scholarship, funded by Mike and Becky Goss, Westport, Connecticut; the Mary L. Vanier Presidential Scholarship, funded by Mary L. Vanier, Manhattan; the Vanier Family Presidential Scholarships in the College of Business Administration and a Presidential Scholarship at Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus, funded by members of the Jack Vanier family of Salina, Brookville and Manhattan.
"The College of Business Administration is indebted to the Vanier family, who have made these two Presidential scholarships for our most outstanding freshmen students a reality," said Stacy Kovar, associate dean of the college. "The benefit goes well beyond these two amazing young women, Lanessa Aurand and Michelle Anderson. As they become student leaders in our college, I know they will constantly strive to challenge themselves and their peers as they work to prepare for successful business careers."
"My family and I are very proud to be part of the Presidential Scholarship program and help these deserving young people achieve their academic goals," said Mary L. Vanier. "We can't wait to see all of the wonderful things they will accomplish at Kansas State University."
