The Rudd Foundation is proud to announce its third class of Rudd Scholars who will each receive a 4-year college scholarship to attend either Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University or Wichita State University (full list attached). The Rudd Scholarship covers all remaining tuition and fees, books and supplies, and on-campus room and board after all other aid, grants, and scholarships are applied to a student’s account. The expected value for all 30 winners over four years is $1.1 million.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the exceptionally high-caliber, well-rounded students that were chosen for this year’s Rudd Scholarship,” said Peter Najera, President of the Rudd Foundation. “By removing the financial burden of a college education, we expect these go-getters to be actively involved on campus, maintain good grades, and graduate in 4 years debt free.”
This year, 15 students will be going to Wichita State, 9 will attend Fort Hays State, and 6 will take their scholarship to Emporia State. The Rudd Scholarship is earned through a competitive selection process that requires grades, test scores, essays, letters of recommendation, and for the 51 finalists a personal interview. The application opened in the Fall and over 1300 students from all four corners of the state began the process.
“Kansas high schools continue to produce very talented young men and women imbued with the Midwestern values of grit, determination and work ethic and we are excited to make an investment in them through a college education,” said Najera. “These 30 Kansas recipients, in addition to the 46 previously selected, brings us to a total of 76 Rudd Scholars who could go anywhere but are choosing to study in-state. By retaining the talented and bright young individuals of the next generation, we believe that upon graduation they will serve to keep the talent pipeline strong in Kansas for many years to come.”
In addition to living on campus and carrying a full load of classes towards 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.
“By this time next year, we will have nearly 100 Rudd Scholars preparing to be on campus and supporting one another,” said Najera. “Our hope is that they will continue to network with each other after graduation as they continue on their trajectory of being positive contributors to our Kansas communities and society as a whole.”
Read more:
www.wichita.edu
www.ksn.com
