Source: Raju Dandu, 785-826-2629, rdandu@k-state.edu
Prepared by: Abigail Crouse, 785-826-2642, acrouse@sal.ksu.edu
Friday, Dec. 7, 2007
K-STATE AT SALINA RECOGNIZES ELITE SCHOLARS
SALINA -- Kansas State University at Salina's department of engineering technology recognized the ELITE scholarship program's inaugural group of scholarship recipients at a banquet Dec. 3.
A $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation funded the ELITE -- Enhancing Lives through Technology and Engineering -- scholarships for 27 engineering technology students this fall.
The ELITE program is designed to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented but academically talented students in Kansas earning associate and bachelor's degrees in engineering technology.
Students selected for the scholarship must be enrolled full time and fall into one or more of the following at-risk categories: low income; minority; rural residence; or first-generation college student.
Along with receiving the scholarship, ELITE scholars promoted K-State at Salina's engineering technology program at high schools and community events throughout the region. The students also learned leadership, team-building and communications skills through a ropes course class in November.
The first two graduates of the ELITE program will receive their degrees and be recognized with honorary medals at K-State at Salina's commencement ceremony Dec. 7. The scholars are Dustin Grant, bachelor's candidate in mechanical engineering technology, Salina, and Ryan Flagler, associate and bachelor's candidate in engineering technology-computer systems, Wakeeney.
Other K-State at Salina ELITE scholars recognized at the recent banquet 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; 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, 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.
For more information about the ELITE scholarship program is available by contact Raju Dandu at rdandu@k-state.edu or online at http://www.salina.k-state.edu/elite