The Impact Continues: $18,500 Awarded to Kansas Students

PRESS RELEASE: Green & Gold Scholarships
$18,500 Awarded to Kansas Students

Topeka, KS, April 27th, 2023: The Kansas Independent College Foundation received over 70 total nominations for its annual collection of merit-based scholarships. A volunteer panel of nine judges helped select the 21 winners. Together these students represent 7 of KICF’s 21 member schools. Each nominated student had to submit detailed essays about their leadership training, their future career goals, and why they chose an independent option for their higher education. 

In announcing our 2023 Green & Gold Scholars, KICF President Matt Lindsey says, "We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their goals, regardless of their background or circumstances. Kansas will succeed when it supports all students including adult learners, veterans, teachers, parents, and more. These scholarships are our contribution to that success.” 

The scholarship reviewers who volunteered to help KICF name these winners hail from around the country and have a diverse collection of business, government, community, and education expertise. They are Anna Lambertson, Executive Director, Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation, Dr. Ashley Lang, Founder, Goal Digger, Ben Jones, Former Member, Kansas Board of Education (District 7), Debbie Luper, District Director, Office of U.S. Representative Ron Estes, Heather Morgan, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Community College Trustees, Jamie Seipel, Sales Coordinator, Visit Wichita, Julie Hein, Lobbyist, Hein Governmental Consulting, Pam Clinton, Business Manager, Shelden Architecture, and Seth Sjostrom, VP for Campus Outreach & Clinical Development, Varsity Health.

“I was impressed by the passion and commitment to academic study demonstrated by ALL the nominees, and I know these students will continue to make a difference in their chosen field and communities. I enjoyed reading from the students about the important influence their colleges, professors, and academic mentors have had in their lives. These institutions are providing an intellectually stimulating environment for students who are also empowered and nurtured by smaller classes and close-knit campuses,” said reviewer Anna Lambertson. Anna continued, “During the review proves, it was evident to me that the scholarships distributed by KICF are critically important resources for students. I was grateful to be invited to join the review committee and congratulate the organization and its staff and directors for their ongoing commitment to helping students across Kansas achieve their goals.”

KICF awards these scholarships to celebrate our diverse and talented student community who demonstrate a commitment to excellence, virtue, and integrity. Please join us in congratulating our 2023-24 winners!

Minority Student Scholarship (5 @ $1,000 each):

• Angelica Esperanza Rodriguez, a Biology major at Newman University from Wichita
• Angelica Castillo, an Entrepreneurship major at Tabor College from Bel Aire 
• Alyvia Owens, an English major at Tabor College from Hutchinson
• Christian Tuiasosopo, a Criminal Justice major at Tabor College from Copperas Cove, TX
• Jesena Hernandez, a Nursing major at University of Saint Mary from Leavenworth. Jesena shared her perspective on an independent education, “The core values are as follows: community, respect, justice, and excellence. When considering each one, I began to think of this as a place where your voice can be heard and respected, where people advocate for other's rights, and where you can find a place to belong, grow, and achieve your dreams. Its further advocacy for liberal arts speaks to the acceptance and striving for knowledge that is inherent to this university. One that is so steeped in its tradition and achievement of excellence, which provided me the opportunity where I could be heard, recognized, and championed for.”

First Generation Scholarship (5 @ $1,000 each):

• Camry Whitekiller, a Biology major at Kansas Wesleyan University from Konawa, OK
• Cassandra Carmichael, an Automotive Restoration major at McPherson College from McPherson
• JaNeysha Hendricks, a Psychology at Tabor College from Topeka
• McKenzi Shurley, a Mathematics major at Friends University from Wichita
• Tyler Seeley, a Criminal Justice major at Tabor College from New Deal, TX

Better Life Degree Completion Award (1 @ $1,000):

• Jessica Bradford, a Nursing major at University of Saint Mary from Lansing

Future Leaders in Business (2 @ $750 each):

• Kenneth Huie, a Business Data Analytics major at Newman University from Wichita
• Sasha Wasinger, an Accounting & Finance major at Tabor College from Hays

Future Leaders in the Arts (2 @ $750 each):

• Jacie Myers, a Graphic Design major at Tabor College from McPherson 
• Trenton Ensz, a Graphic Design major at Tabor College from Salem, OR, who reflects, “My professors know me by name, they encourage my passions, guide my skills, and sharpen my weaknesses. They push me to excel in my craft, notice the details and expand my knowledge of the art world. My marketing classes allow me the opportunity to see how I can take an abstract concept, such as art, and apply it toward a career.”

Future Leaders in Education (2 @ $750 each):

• Heather Hudson, an Elementary Education major at McPherson College from Greenville, TX
• Sydney Jones, an Elementary Education major at University of Saint Mary from Mt. Vernon, IA

Future Leaders in Faith (2 @ $750 each):

• Karrigan Dunstan, a Pastoral Ministry major at Manhattan Christian College from Mankato
• Emily Rich, a Counseling major at Manhattan Christian College from Manhattan

Future Leaders in Health Professions (2 @ $750 each):

• Kaelyn Johnson, a Sonography major at Newman University from Winfield
• Laura Savage, an Exercise Science major at Tabor College from Florence

Details, including the winners’ GPAs, more quotes, major details, and scholarship eligibility rules, can be found at: https://kscolleges.org/page/greenandgold. 

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Located in Topeka, the Kansas Independent College Foundation is a 501(c)3 that develops and enhances the competitive standing of its 20-member independent, non-profit, regionally accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and strives to assure opportunity and choice in higher education for all students. For more information on the Foundation, please contact Jesyca Hope at 785-235-9877 or jesyca@kscolleges.org.