Source: Kent Kerby 785-532-5718, kentk@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Stephanie Jacques, 785-532-0101, sjaques@k-state.edu

Friday, Sept. 18, 2009

THREE K-STATE STUDENTS RECEIVE SPECIAL $1,000 BIOLOGY SCHOLARSHIPS

MANHATTAN -- Three Kansas State University students have earned $1,000 scholarships for the 2009-2010 school year from K-State's Division of Biology. The scholarships have been made possible through donor contributions.

Recipients are Luke Frager, junior in biology and premedicine, Morrowville; Joseph Houlik, junior in biology and premedicine, Wichita; and Jacob Elder, senior in microbiology, Hooker, Okla.

Frager and Houlik received the University Distinguished Professors Scholarship, while Elder is the first recipient of the first Larry G. Williams Scholarship. The scholarships were awarded based on each student's overall academic performance and career goals.

Frager and Houlik plan to attend medical school, which qualified them for the University Distinguished Professor scholarship. Established by Clay Harvey, a Topeka radiologist and 1974 K-State biology alum, the University Distinguished Professor scholarship is awarded yearly to biology and premedicine students. Harvey endowed the scholarship as a way to help deserving undergraduate students and honor K-State's university distinguished professors of biology.

"I would just like to thank Dr. Harvey for the support, Frager said. "It is promising to see that someone wants to give back because they're happy with what they've done. I just hope I'll be able to do that someday."

Frager, a K-State honors list student, is a member of the Scholars in Rural Health, an assured admissions program through the University of Kansas; K-State's Pre-Health Club; and a member of the governmental relations committee for K-State's Student Governing Association.

A K-State honors list student, Houlik serves as an after-school tutor and is a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. "When you have to put yourself through school, a scholarship is a tremendous help, no matter what the amount," he said.

The Williams Scholarship was created in honor of Larry Williams, a university teaching scholar and, until his retirement in 2008, the associate director of undergraduate studies for the Division of Biology. With more than 38 years of service to K-State, Williams assisted countless undergraduates in achieving their academic and professional goals. His dedication was the inspiration for establishing the scholarship, which is funded by donations from former students and advisees.

Elder was selected for the scholarship for his performance in biological courses, lab work and interest in parasitology and genetics.

 "A wonderful student, Jacob was a great asset and joy to have in class last semester," said Kristin Michel, assistant professor of human parasitology. "He is fully deserving of this honor."

A K-State honors list student, Elder also participates in many different recreational sports and works in the research lab under Juergen Richt, Regents Distinguish Professor in K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine. Elder plans to graduate in May 2010 and attend graduate school or pharmaceutical school.