Blake Krier (pronounced “kreer”), a senior at Bishop Carroll High School in Wichita, is the winner of Wichita State University’s 2010-2011 Clay Barton Scholarship in Business for $44,000.

The announcement was made today (Tuesday, Dec. 15) by WSU President Don Beggs and Doug Hensler, dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business.

Krier will receive $11,000 a year for four years to attend WSU as an accounting major. The $44,000 Barton scholarship is the biggest business scholarship in the state.

Krier, son of Bryan and Sandy Krier of Wichita, plans to study business at WSU, while being involved in other ways in the Barton School and in intramural sports.

At Bishop Carroll, his teachers said Krier shows leadership by example.

“He is conscientious of deadlines, works well without supervision and is always willing to ‘go the extra mile,’” said Nancy Diepenbrock, the Honors English III instructor Krier has impressed with his energy, insightfulness and work ethic.

A candidate for National Honor Society, Krier has already picked up college credit hours from Friends and Newman universities in calculus, English and physics. He will graduate from Bishop Carroll in spring 2010.

Beyond academics, Krier has logged many hours in volunteer activities for such organizations as Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity and the Westminster Presbyterian Church’s Serve and Celebrate program.

In addition, during the summer and winter basketball seasons, he helps coach his younger brother’s basketball team. In summer, he serves as an assistant coach for the Mid-America Youth Basketball program, helping his team finish in the Top 3 in multiple tournaments.

Since 2006, he also has worked full time in the summers and part-time during the school year for J&J Lawn Care, including serving as crew foreman of the landscaping and sprinkler crew.

Krier is one of many high school seniors who competed for the Barton scholarship in the Allen, Gibbs & Houlik LC Scholarship Competition in November.

The Clay Barton Scholarship in Business was established in 1991 for the son of the late Rent-A-Center Chairman Emeritus W. Frank Barton, for whom WSU’s business school is named.