Wichita State University has started a scholarship program that benefits high school students who are participating in one of the pre-college federally funded TRIO programs housed on WSU’s campus. Twenty-seven students were selected from eight Wichita high schools.

Each student will receive a one-year, full-ride scholarship to attend Wichita State for their freshman year. The scholarship covers tuition and fees, books and on-campus housing.

The students will be recognized at the first TRIO Scholars dinner at 6 p.m. Monday, March 31, in the Marcus Welcome Center. Students will be honored at the event and meet WSU administrators and current students.

The TRIO program primarily prepares students from low-income homes who become first-generation college students. Wichita State houses more TRIO programs than any institution in the country.

“The students were selected because WSU recognized their tremendous potential for success in higher education, and we look forward to welcoming them to campus,” said Bobby Gandu, interim director of admissions. “WSU recognizes their potential and wants them to succeed on our campus.

“We’re confident that these students will contribute greatly to the student body at Wichita State, both in the classroom and in campus activities. Because they are all from Wichita, our hope is that these students will continue to thrive and work in the Wichita community upon graduation from Wichita State.”

2008-2009 TRIO Scholars:

Wichita East High School

Malcolm Furr, Jael Gomez, Ngoc Trang Nguyen and Jennifer Wicker

Wichita Heights High School

Davon Brown and Courtney Crites

Wichita North High School

Esmeralda Carlos, Terrell Jones and Alexandria Palacioz

Wichita Northeast Magnet

Chika Anysodike, Brittany Carson, Megan Kirby, Tuyen Le, Nhat Nguyen, Tan Nguyen, Cherie Onianwa and Robert Parati

Wichita Northwest High School

Lily Chen and Karen Sanchez

Wichita South High School

Shelby Binns

Wichita Southeast High School

Navani Espinoza, Keith Hayes, Lee Jones and Gary Thompson

Wichita West High School

Miesha Brison, Brittany Burress and Emmitt Morgan