Over $20,000 in Scholarships Given to Kansas Students

PRESS RELEASE:  Green & Gold Scholarships

$20,500 Awarded to Kansas Students

Topeka, KS, April 5th, 2024: The Kansas Independent College Foundation has awarded new scholarships to 21 notable winners for the third year, using a portion of the annual donations to the KICF Gift Fund.  Recognizing particularly meritorious students through a competitive process is a powerful way to support their educational endeavors and help bring attention to the high quality of our students and the work of our independent colleges across Kansas. KICA received over 105 total nominations for its annual collection of merit-based scholarships.

In announcing our 2024 Green and Gold Scholarship recipients, KICF President Matt Lindsey says, "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. These scholarships are our contribution to that support.”

A volunteer panel of 10 judges helped select the 17 winners. The reviewers hail from around the country and have a diverse collection of business, government, community, and education expertise. They are Tami Bartunek, Office of U.S. Senator Roger Marshall;  Brandon Brungardt, Hutton Corporation; Shane Carter, Kansas Department of Education; Chris Crook, KanREN; Abel Frederic, United Way of the Plains; Laura Hayden, Pioneer College Caterers; Bradon Owens, Pharos Resources; Bryan Schultz, Kansas State Fair; Scott Tschudy, Martin Pringle; and Suzanne Vieth, NAICU.

In reflecting on the judging process, Laura Hayden of PCC shared, “It was heartwarming to hear from so many student essays, the aspirations, and blessings they realized from being part of tight-knit and caring campus communities.  It was evident that KICF has a wonderful network of higher education campuses who not only focus on the student’s success but support the individual.”

KICA awards these scholarships to celebrate our diverse and talented student community who demonstrate a commitment to excellence, virtue, and integrity. Together these students represent 10 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. Please join us in congratulating our 2023-24 winners!

Growing Kansas Future Scholarship - Recognizing students from outside of Kansas who commit to staying in Kansas after graduation (2 @ $2,000 each):

• KeturaEarl, an Elementary Education major at Southwestern College from Oklahoma City, OK. Ketura reflects on their independent education choice, “It has been a steppingstone for my personal and intellectual evolution. The traditions [speak] to a legacy of excellence and community that I longed to be a part of…[My school] has facilitated growth in every facet of my life spiritually, socially, and academically. Each day spent within its walls has been an opportunity seized, a lesson learned, and a step forward in my journey toward realizing my potential.”
• Ian Quiring, a Global Sports Leadership major at Tabor College from Saratoga Springs, UT

New Horizons Scholarship - Recognizing students from underrepresented backgrounds and first-generation students (3 @ $2,000 each):

• Patricia Huerta, a Natural Sciences major at Bethel College from McPherson
• Rhyan Lucas, a Biochemistry major at McPherson College from Shawnee
• Kiara Stone, a Biochemistry major at Baker University from Topeka

Better Life Degree Completion Award - Recognizing students who return to complete their degree after a period of absence (1 @ $1,500):

• Onyx Coleman, a Nursing major at Newman University from Andover

   

  William Tschudy Scholarship for Business & Public Service - Recognizing a student planning a graduate education to use business skills in service of the public (1 @ $1,500 each):

• Emily Peterson, an Accounting & Finance major at McPherson College from Canton

   

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

• Adrienne Selzer, a Graphic Design & Studio Art major at Tabor College from Newton
• Taylor Starr, a Graphic Design & Studio Art major at McPherson College from Milford. On campus, Taylor is an active leader, “Being a student ambassador, I frequently meet incoming freshmen or transfers before they come to campus. I give them their tours of campus while also sharing my positive experience…I would love to be a positive influence on their decision to attend the wonderful college that I love so much.”

   

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

• DreShaun Flowers, a Business Administration major at Southwestern College from McAlester, OK
• Charley Monahan, a Marketing & Management major at University of Saint Mary from Easton. A liberal arts education impacted Charley’s business education, “While sticking with a business degree, I really did enjoy Dr. Peterlin's public speaking class, so the following semester I took her Honors Seminar, Digital Storytelling, and from there she convinced me to at least minor in Digital Communications. Dr. Peterlin has supported me since; She sees the potential in me and helps to guide me through my courses, offers advice, is always willing to listen, and is constantly pushing me to be and do better.”

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

• KenzieCooper, an Elementary Education major at McPherson College from Wamego
• Natalie Maxhimer-Rodriguez, an Elementary Education major at Baker University from Baldwin City. Thinking on the future, Natalie shared, “I would love to become a principal. I think that students today need administrators who are fully present, not cooped up in their office, and making it a point to interact with students and better their lives each day. I want to be this person for many students. Young people deserve someone to look up to and someone who cares about their development.”

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

• KayleeMcNeill, a Theology major at Newman University from Hesston
• Cayden Pape, a Pastoral Ministry major at Manhattan Christian College from Manhattan

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

• Catherine Bowman, a Pre-Physical Therapy major at Kansas Wesleyan University from Bucklin
• EmmaPetermann, a Doctor of Chiropractic candidate at Cleveland University - Kansas City from Crestview, FL

Details, including the winners’ GPAs, more quotes, 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 21-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, please contact Jesyca Hope, VP for Member Programs and Outreach at 785-554-0247 or jesyca@kscolleges.org.