The Wayne C. Rohrer Scholarship for STRAN

Majors—AMETH track

For undergraduate student(s) majoring in STRAN-American Ethnic Studies track who demonstrate significant promise and whose academic and career goals emphasize improving the understanding of racial and ethnic relations in the United States of America. Application to include a short essay addressing: “How do your academic and career goals emphasize improving the understanding of racial and ethnic relations in the United States of America?”

Garrett said that receiving a degree at a university like Kansas State is a very difficult task because of the very low percentage of African Americans who attend K-State. His decision to major in American ethnic studies was tied to his sense of reclaiming his own African American heritage and history, which is generally not taught at educational institutions.

"I personally wanted to study American ethnic studies because there is so much of my history and my culture being hidden," ... "I want to make sure to set positive examples all the time and possibly become an icon for others,"

"I want to become a photojournalist so I can help document daily life news ... I want to be the voice and use my platform for others who are afraid to stand up for equal rights," Garrett said.

2020 - K-State senior Marco Antonio Saucedo

Marco Saucedo has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to improving race relations since his arrival at K-State.

He states, "Because of my life experiences and education, I have sought to fight to create change in the world whether it is to change one life or a whole generation. I want to consistently lend a hand and be a person that can bring significant change to others. I have learned to understand myself in a manner to which I can listen carefully to others. For my future, I want to work in areas that fight for the common good of society and the underrepresented."

Saucedo's triple majors—American ethnic Studies, Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies, and Political Science—are surely a strong preparation for his future social justice work in the legal profession. After graduating, Saucedo hopes to attend law school and focus on human rights, civil, or constitutional law.

2019 - K-State junior Citlally Orozco

Citlally Orozco has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to improving race relations since her arrival at K-State.

During her sophomore year she served as President of the K-State LULAC chapter. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) was established in 1929 and is the oldest Latino/a civil rights advocacy organization in the United States. Currently, Citlally holds a statewide position as LULAC Deputy Director of Young Adults. Her responsibilities include supervision of state committees and work areas pertaining to young adults. She also works closely with LULAC scholarship recipients to ensure they are progressing well in college.

Citlally also currently serves as vice president of The Multicultural Coalition, a student organization that advocates for "the programmatic, curricular, and physical presence of historically underrepresented peoples at Kansas State University" in addition to "fighting racism on and off campus."