Minneapolis resident wins prestigious national fellowship

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Source: James Hohenbary, 785-532-6904, jimlth@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Cheryl May, 785-532-6415, may@k-state.edu

Monday, May 7, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENT WINS PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP

MANHATTAN -- A Kansas State University senior in secondary education is one of up to 50 winners of a 2007 James Madison Memorial Fellowship. The fellowship funds up to $24,000 of each Fellow's course of study toward a master's degree in American history, political science or education. The Fellows are selected in competition with applicants from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the nation's island and trust territories.

Janeal Schmidt, Minneapolis, Kan., will graduate this month with a degree in secondary education with a concentration in social studies and English as a second language. She has been awarded an assistantship in history and plans to pursue a master's in American history at K-State.

"As a historian myself, I am especially pleased that Janeal Schmidt has won a prestigious Madison Fellowship and plans to pursue her master's degree in history at K-State," said Jon Wefald, K-State president. "Janeal's win is great news, especially along with the other national scholarships won by our students this year: a Marshall scholarship, a Truman Scholarship, three Goldwater scholarships and two Udall scholarships."

James Hohenbary, assistant dean for nationally competitive scholarships, said, "After working with Janeal during the Madison application process, it is great to see her get this opportunity; I think she will be an excellent teacher as she strives to bring a real appreciation of history to her future students." The purpose of the fellowship is to honor Madison's legacy by improving teaching about the Constitution at the secondary level.

Schmidt is a member of Mortar Board Senior honor society, where she has served as the Mortar Board usher coordinator for Landon Lectures in McCain Auditorium, and as a host coordinator. She was secretary of the College of Education ambassadors, and a member of the college's Teacher Education Advisory Council and Honors Advisory Council. She also is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Pi Education honor society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She was awarded a Kansas State University Foundation scholarship. She has successfully completed the College of Education honors program. Schmidt attended the Florence University of the Arts in Italy in summer 2006.

A 2003 graduate of Minneapolis High School, she is the daughter of Tammy and Jerry Schmidt, Minneapolis.