Source: Raju Dandu, 785-826-2629, rdandu@k-state.edu
Note to editors: Ryan Frederick is a graduate of Wichita High School East.
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
K-STATE AT SALINA AWARDS ELITE SCHOLARSHIPS TO 27 STUDENTS
SALINA -- Thanks to a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, Kansas State University at Salina's ELITE -- Enhancing Lives through Technology and Engineering -- scholarship program has awarded 27 scholarships for the fall semester.
Each scholarship is for $1,800.
"These scholarships are a great opportunity for students to focus more on their studies and less on their finances," said Raju Dandu, an associate professor in the department of engineering technology who is administering the grant. "This is particularly important for those who might otherwise consider interrupting their education."
The ELITE program is a targeted scholarship program to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented but academically talented students in Kansas earning associate and bachelor's degrees in engineering technology. K-State at Salina's engineering technology program offers degrees in mechanical engineering technology, construction engineering technology, electronic and computer engineering technology, computer systems technology, and Web development.
Students selected for the scholarship must fall into one or more of the following at-risk categories: low income; minority; rural residence; or first-generation college student. They must also be enrolled full time. The scholarships are renewable each semester, but depend on the availability of funding and whether the recipient is still eligible. The grant will support multiple scholarships each semester through 2011.
K-State at Salina students earning ELITE scholarships include:
Austin Smith, freshman in engineering technology-mechanical, Abilene; Michael Diederich, freshman in engineering technology-computer systems, Barnes; Gregory Winter, freshman in engineering technology-computer systems, Concordia; Will Unruh, junior in engineering technology-electronics and computer, Galva; Aaron Duell, junior in engineering technology-computer systems, Goodland.
Eric Johnson, freshman in engineering technology-mechanical, and Dustin Keiswetter, junior in engineering technology-mechanical, both of Gypsum; Andrew Lofgren, sophomore in engineering technology-mechanical, Haviland; Ryan Olson, freshman in engineering technology-mechanical, Hiawatha; Daniel Pierce, freshman in engineering technology-electronics and computer, Jewell; Thomas Nieto, sophomore in engineering technology-computer systems, Lawrence; Jacob Haar, freshman in engineering technology-mechanical, Manhattan; Nathan Maresch, senior in engineering technology-electronics and computer, Nekoma.
From Salina: John Booze, junior in engineering technology-computer systems; Natasha Busch, freshman in engineering technology-computer systems; Douglas deAlmeida, freshman in engineering technology-electronics and computer; Ryan Frederick, senior in engineering technology-computer systems; Dustin Grant, senior in mechanical engineering technology; Devin Krahl, junior in engineering technology-mechanical; Renee Mattison, junior in engineering technology-computer systems and Web development; and Kevin Stewart, junior in engineering technology-electronics and computer.
Antonio Hearn, sophomore in engineering technology-Web development and computer systems, Stafford; Todd Smalley, senior in engineering technology-electronics and computer, Topeka; Paul Flagler, sophomore in engineering technology-computer systems, and Ryan Flagler, senior in engineering technology-computer systems, both of Wakeeney; and Jacob Quade, senior in engineering technology-mechanical, Wichita.
From out of state: Paul Cain, freshman in engineering technology-computer systems and Web development, Hot Springs, S.D.