The Wichita State University Cohen Honors College has chosen nine recipients of the Koch Scholars program for the fall 2018 semester.

Selected from approximately 100 applicants, these nine recipients will each be awarded between $30,000 and $60,000 during their four year attendance at WSU.

This competitive scholarship program targets high school seniors enrolling in the College of Engineering or the W. Frank Barton School of Business.

All Koch Scholars are members of the Cohen Honors College and participate in community service and professional development activities throughout the year.

Scholarship selection is based on high academic achievement including GPA and test scores, work, volunteer and leadership experiences, an essay and an interview process.

The Koch Scholars program is made possible by a $1.54 million pledge from Koch Industries and the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation. The fall 2018 semester marks the fourth freshman class to participate in the Koch Scholars program.

“The Koch Scholars program provides students the opportunity to pursue an education where they can explore passions, develop their unique talents and achieve success,” said Meredith Olson, vice president of public affairs at Koch Industries.

2018 Koch Scholars:

Victoria Bergkamp, Human Resource Management, Andale High School, Kansas. Victoria is the daughter of Byron and Dorothy Bergkamp. She is the secretary of her church youth group, her school’s Tri-M chapter and Drama Club. During high school, Victoria been involved in several theatre productions, Scholars Bowl, Art Club, Madrigals, and choir. In her free time, she volunteers in the community and likes watching musicals and reading books.

In the course of her time at WSU, Victoria hopes to meet new people and create lasting friendships while learning new concepts and skills.She is looking forward to being challenged by the Honors College and achieving her degree in Human Resource Management.

Jonathan Coleman, Mechanical Engineering, Mingo Valley Christian, Oklahoma. Jonathan is the son of Aaron and Joanie Coleman. He is the vice president of his school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and has mentored younger students as a member of Citadel. Jonathan also runs cross country and track and participates in his school’s dramas. During the past four summers, he has taught five-day bible clubs with Christian Youth In Action.

In addition to theatre and athletics, Jonathan enjoys drawing and reading. He has had the opportunity to teach art classes and sell prints of his art locally. He hopes to continue to do so in college.

He is looking forward to the unique hands-on opportunities offered at Wichita State through state-of-the-art facilities and internships on campus.

Whitney Crawford, Aerospace Engineering, Derby High School, Kansas. Whitney is the daughter of Melissa Novak and Shawn Estell. She is a public figure in her high school and has held a presidential position in the Student Council for four years. In addition to participating in numerous AP and honors classes, Whitney was the captain of her school’s dance team. She enjoys science immensely and has a strong passion for the arts.

Whitney aspires to achieve success in Wichita State’s engineering program and to excel far enough with the help of the Cohen Honors College to earn a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Benjamin George, Computer Engineering, Uniontown High School, Kansas. Ben is the son of Dan and Bernadette George of Redfield, Kansas. He serves as the National Honor Society Vice President, class secretary and captain of the Uniontown Varsity Basketball Team. Ben participates in track and field, FFA, Ruritan, Spanish Club, Math Club and Science Club.

Ben plans on majoring in Computer Engineering with a minor in Aerospace Engineering. With this combination, Ben hopes to work with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Recently, he earned his Remote Pilot License so he can fly drones commercially. He wants to attend WSU because of all the opportunities the new facilities and companies coming to the Innovation Campus will provide. Ben hopes to graduate from WSU with Honors.

Linda Harl, Aerospace Engineering, Texas Academy Math and Science, Texas. Linda is the daughter of Casey and Aimee Harl. She currently serves as president of the McConnell Hall Association, vice president of the Texas Academy Math and Science (TAMS) Aeronautics and Astronautics Club, volunteer coordinator for Ignite, co-captain for the TAMS girls’ basketball team, and is a member of TAMS’ TARC (Team America Rocketry Challenge) team. She has been playing basketball since 7th grade, and is greatly looking forward to joining an intramural team at WSU as well as giving back to the community through community service. She hopes to work as an aerospace engineer and believes the Cohen Honors College and Koch Scholarship will enable her to achieve her dream.

Alexander King, Biomedical Engineering, Andover Central High School, Kansas. Alex is the son of Timothy and Stacey King. During his high school years, he has been active in his Boyscout Troop, 584, where he earned his Eagle Scout badge. He was a grade level representative for the Superintendent Student Advisory Team for Andover USD #385, and was on the varsity track and field team, focusing on shotput and discus events. Alex has participated in band and choir, where he was the section leader, and has been involved with several theater productions, maintaining lead roles in each one. He was a member of the Scholars’ Bowl team and named a National Merit Commended Scholar.

Alex plans to major in Biomedical Engineering, and looks forward to the challenges that will be offered through the Cohen Honors College and Wichita State’s engineering program.

Benjamin Perry, Business, Finneytown High School, Ohio
Ben is the son of Michael and Valerie Perry and has two siblings, Dan and Olivia. He is a member of the National Honors Society and participates in choir.

Ben has played soccer, football, tennis and recreational basketball during high school. He was named to the all-conference and all-city first teams in his senior soccer season. He was also named all-conference honorable mention as a kicker on the football team. He was selected as a captain for both teams.

Ben plans to major in business. He chose Honors because he believes that the resources and challenging curriculum will help him grow as a student and succeed post-graduation.

Micah Self, Engineering Undecided, Fort Scott High School, Kansas. Micah is the son of Max and Karen Self. He is the sixth of ten children. He attends Fort Scott High School and is involved in National Honors Society, soccer, Scholars’ Bowl and choir. He enjoys playing guitar and hanging out with his friends.

Micah plans to pursue Biomedical Engineering and likes learning biology and how organisms function. Math has been an interest of his for many years. He’s excited to join Honors to obtain the best education he can while making friends and meeting people with similar interests.

Chase Williams, Electrical Engineering, Northeast Magnet High School, Kansas. Chase is the son of Henry and Jana Williams. He is a Science Magnet candidate and a valedictorian for his high school.

Chase is a member of National Honor Society and Chess Club and has been named a Kansas Honor Scholar. He serves as a youth sports volunteer for the Greater Wichita YMCA and as a volunteer for Wichita Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross.

Chase held the guard and forward positions while playing for the Wichita High School Southeast boys’ basketball teams (freshman through varsity) for 2.5 years. In 2016, the Southeast varsity team placed as the Class 6A Runner-up at the state basketball state tournament.

As a member of the Cohen Honors College, Chase looks forward to a challenging college experience that will prepare him for success in life. He is pursuing his engineering degree from Wichita State because of the university’s emphasis on innovation. Currently, Chase is involved in entrepreneurship ventures that have allowed him to create web content and mobile apps. In the future, he plans on utilizing his electrical engineering degree in the design of an innovation that has a positive impact on the daily lives of others.

The mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good. Wichita State is a doctoral research university enrolling nearly 15,000 students and offering 59 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in seven undergraduate colleges. The Graduate School offers 45 master's and 12 doctoral degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas. Wichita State's Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.