The sixth cohort of Rudd Scholars includes 18 Kansas high school seniors who have chosen to attend Wichita State University.
- Ashlyn Armstrong — Central Plains High School in Claflin, Kansas
- Natalee Delgado — Valley Center High School
- Alejandra Facio — Garden City High School
- Kylie Flaming — Inman High School
- Liberty Gilkey — Kiowa County High School
- Hayden Hartung — Hesston High School
- Jackson Haslett — Clearwater High School
- Elias Iseman — Bishop Carroll Catholic School in Wichita
- Riley Jaske — Sterling High School
- Isabella Kilman — Valley Center High School
- Zain Maknojia — Halstead High School
- Katherin Mayer — Bishop Carroll High School
- Erik Moreno — Wichita High School South
- Chinonye Otuonye — Wichita Northwest High School
- Katie Rempel — Hillsboro High School
- Ryan Richardson — Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in Kansas City, Kansas
- Jade Simeona — Goddard High School
- Ashlee Villarreal — Garden City High School
Each Rudd Scholar will receive a full-ride scholarship, which includes tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and considerable networking and coaching support along the way. All Rudd Scholars are from Kansas and will attend Wichita State, Emporia State or Fort Hays State.
“The Rudd Foundation continues to lead the way in supporting Kansas students in reaching their educational goals and career dreams,” said Bobby Gandu, assistant vice president and director of undergraduate admissions. “We’re in awe of the work the Rudd Scholars team does to not only help their students graduate from college-debt free, but by pushing them to go further than they ever would have imagined.”
In addition to living on campus and carrying a full load of classes toward their college degree, scholars will receive mentoring and success coaching to help them graduate in four years. They will also participate in many developmental activities outside the classroom, network with leaders in their future professions, build strong relationships among themselves and serve to help the next generation of scholars through an active and connected alumni association after graduation.
“This scholarship is life-changing for these students and their families, as it opens the gateway to powerful mentoring, study abroad experiences, high-value internships and a statewide network of Rudd Scholars who graduate ready to lead and impact Kansas communities,” Gandu said.
This brings the greater total of Rudd Scholars studying at WSU to 63 students, the most of any Kansas Board of Regents institution. Total, there will be 109 Rudd Scholars enrolled at the three universities. Since 2018, the Rudd Foundation has awarded 168 scholarships, representing a $9 million commitment.
The Rudd Scholarship, sponsored by the Rudd Foundation, aims to remove financial barriers to a college education. Chosen scholars are expected to achieve a high level of excellence on campus in preparing themselves to be leaders in their profession and in their communities after graduation.
Corri Roberts, director of the Rudd Scholarship Program, said the program focuses on going beyond meeting the financial needs of the students.
“We view the Rudd Scholarship as much more than a financial investment in our students,” she said. “We strive to offer these exceptional young people the opportunity to receive mentoring, networking, professional development, and internship opportunities, as well as encouraging them to give back to philanthropic organizations that inspire them. The incredible result of this is a connection with and amongst the scholars that continues beyond their four years in our program.”
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling almost 22,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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