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K-State Today

December 18, 2013

K-State students receive Rotary Global Grant scholarships

Submitted by Rebecca Gould

Two K-State students are recipients of the 2013 Rotary Global Grant scholarships. Christian Cruz, doctoral graduate in plant pathology, and Myriah Smith, senior in modern languages, have been awarded $30,000 to conduct research and study abroad, respectively.

Smith will study at the University of Panama and volunteer at the Jonathan Bilingual School, a small local school serving low-income students. Her project will be to use her linguistics background to develop English language curriculum — part of the economic and basic literacy strategy of the government of Panama. Smith is from Derby.

Cruz earned his doctorate in summer 2013 and is currently a postdoctoral researcher for the department of plant pathology. Cruz will conduct research on the prevention of wheat blast in conjunction with Asociación de Productores de Oleaginosas y Trigo, K-State and Universidade Federal de São Carlos. His research will take him to Bolivia and Brazil. Cruz is from Ecuador.

In 2013, the Rotary Global Grant Scholarship transitioned from the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship program. The scholarship funds one year of postbaccalaureate study at a recognized university in a non-U.S. country. Applicants’ planned studies must lead to sustainable, high-impact outcomes and career goals in one or more of Rotary’s areas of focus: peace and conflict prevention/resolution; disease prevention and treatment; water and sanitation; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and/or economic and community development.

“This is the oldest program within the Rotary Foundation and one of the most prestigious," said Steven Graham, co-chair of the Manhattan Rotary Global Grant Scholarship. "Notable past recipients of this award are Roger Ebert, film critic, and Janet Chvatal, American soprano."

Since 1974, at least one K-State student has been the recipient of this award each year.