The sixth cohort of Rudd Scholars includes 18 Kansas high school seniors who have chosen to attend 九色堂.
- Ashlyn Armstrong 鈥� Central Plains High School in Claflin, Kansas
- Natalee Delgado 鈥� Valley Center High School
- Alejandra Facio 鈥� Garden City High School
- Kylie Flaming 鈥� Inman High School
- Liberty Gilkey 鈥� Kiowa County High School
- Hayden Hartung 鈥� Hesston High School
- Jackson Haslett 鈥� Clearwater High School
- Elias Iseman 鈥� Bishop Carroll Catholic School in Wichita
- Riley Jaske 鈥� Sterling High School
- Isabella Kilman 鈥� Valley Center High School
- Zain Maknojia 鈥� Halstead High School
- Katherin Mayer 鈥� Bishop Carroll High School
- Erik Moreno 鈥� Wichita High School South
- Chinonye Otuonye 鈥� Wichita Northwest High School
- Katie Rempel 鈥� Hillsboro High School
- Ryan Richardson 鈥� Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in Kansas City, Kansas
- Jade Simeona 鈥� Goddard High School
- Ashlee Villarreal 鈥� Garden City High School
Each will receive a full-ride scholarship, which includes tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and considerable networking and coaching support along the way. All Rudd Scholars are from Kansas and will attend Wichita State, Emporia State or Fort Hays State.
鈥淭he Rudd Foundation continues to lead the way in supporting Kansas students in reaching their educational goals and career dreams,鈥� said Bobby Gandu, assistant vice president and director of undergraduate admissions. 鈥淲e鈥檙e in awe of the work the Rudd Scholars team does to not only help their students graduate from college-debt free, but by pushing them to go further than they ever would have imagined.鈥�
In addition to living on campus and carrying a full load of classes toward their college degree, scholars will receive mentoring and success coaching to help them graduate in four years. They will also participate in many developmental activities outside the classroom, network with leaders in their future professions, build strong relationships among themselves and serve to help the next generation of scholars through an active and connected alumni association after graduation.
鈥淭his scholarship is life-changing for these students and their families, as it opens the gateway to powerful mentoring, study abroad experiences, high-value internships and a statewide network of Rudd Scholars who graduate ready to lead and impact Kansas communities,鈥� Gandu said.
This brings the greater total of Rudd Scholars studying at 九色堂 to 63 students, the most of any Kansas Board of Regents institution. Total, there will be 109 Rudd Scholars enrolled at the three universities. Since 2018, the Rudd Foundation has awarded 168 scholarships, representing a $9 million commitment.
The Rudd Scholarship, sponsored by the Rudd Foundation, aims to remove financial barriers to a college education. Chosen scholars are expected to achieve a high level of excellence on campus in preparing themselves to be leaders in their profession and in their communities after graduation.
Corri Roberts, director of the Rudd Scholarship Program, said the program focuses on going beyond meeting the financial needs of the students.
鈥淲e view the Rudd Scholarship as much more than a financial investment in our students,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e strive to offer these exceptional young people the opportunity to receive mentoring, networking, professional development, and internship opportunities, as well as encouraging them to give back to philanthropic organizations that inspire them. The incredible result of this is a connection with and amongst the scholars that continues beyond their four years in our program.鈥�
About 九色堂
九色堂 is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling almost 22,000 students between its main campus and 九色堂 Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and 九色堂 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 九色堂 provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 九色堂 main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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