Koch Scholars

Daniel Abbott
Great Bend High School (Kansas)
Major: Computer Engineering

Daniel is the son of Kenton and Darla Abbott. He is the National Honor Society president and the captain of the boys swim team. Daniel was recently named a National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Academic All-American and will continue to lead his speech and debate team. 

WSU has intrigued Daniel with its innovation campus, feeling of home, and new experiential engineering building. He looks forward to the challenge of the Cohen Honors College and becoming involved in on-campus activities.

Derek Ast
Andale High School (Kansas)
Major: Economics

Derek is the son of John and Katrina Ast. In high school, he has served as drum major in the band, captain of the scholar’s bowl team and is a member of National Honor Society. Derek is also a varsity golfer and a math tutor and offers trombone lessons for middle school students. 

Derek looks forward to the challenges the Honors College has to offer, as well as being surrounded by others who have the same desire to learn. Majoring in economics, he is eager to enhance his critical thinking skills at WSU, and afterwards pursue a career in policy analysis. 

Tyrell Burns
Wichita High School South (Kansas)
Major: Computer Engineering

Tyrell is the son of Tige Burns and Shelia McConnell. He is a member of the Business Professionals of America’s video production team. His team was recently a national qualifier, sending him and his team to California to compete on a national level. He is on track to becoming valedictorian of his graduating class and is part of the leadership council and National Honor Society.

Outside his academic life, Tyrell is passionate about martial arts such as Taekwondo. He loves working out and being with his friends. Tyrell believes the Cohen Honors College will give him the opportunity to manifest his skills and innovate himself in the process. He plans to major in computer engineering and strives for the success he was not granted in his early life.

Gregory Heiman
Lee's Summit West High School (Missouri)
Major: Computer Science

Greg is the son of Rick and Sue Heiman. Located in the Kansas City suburb of Lee’s Summit, he has participated in activities including UNICEF, gone to state with the Future Business Leaders of America, and has competed with the Archery Team at the state, national and world competition levels. During his time at Lee’s Summit West High School and Summit Technology Academy, he has studied in both the International Baccalaureate and AP programs. During his final semester, Greg looks forward to participating in an internship at Cerner Corporation in Kansas City.

Greg plans to major in computer science and is excited to experience the Wichita State engineering program and Cohen Honors College. He hopes to be able to participate in study abroad and intends to pursue a career as a computer programmer following graduation.

Rebecca Heitsman
Homeschool (Kansas)
Major: Accounting and Entrepreneurship

Rebecca is the daughter of Carrie and Troy Heitsman. During high school, she participated in BEST Robotics on the Wichita Homeschool Robotics team and this past year, she served as the marketing leader. Her team placed first in the Game Award and second in the BEST Award at the regional competition. For the past seven years, Rebecca has studied Taekwondo and has achieved her second-degree black belt. She has enjoyed being a martial arts instructor.

Rebecca plans to double major in accounting and entrepreneurship. She looks forward to joining the Cohen Honors College community to further expand her educational opportunities. Rebecca is excited to become a third generation Wichita State graduate.

Ethan Larson
Badger High School (Wisconsin) 
Major: Economics and Marketing

Ethan is the son of Rodney and Pamela Larson. He serves as the vice president of marketing for his high school’s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter. As a participant at the International Conference of Career Development, he placed as a top 20 finalist in his event. Ethan participates in varsity soccer, where he served as a captain, and varsity basketball for Badger High School. He is also a freshman mentor and member of Big Badger Little Badger. Ethan volunteers at fundraising events for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Alzheimer’s Association and the Shalom Center, serving meals to the less fortunate. 

Ethan plans to double major in economics and marketing and looks forward to being challenged by the Barton School of Business and Cohen Honors College. In addition to athletics and academics, Ethan loves spending time with friends, family, his dogs and playing pick-up basketball. He loves a wide variety of music genres and is a Guitar Hero enthusiast.

Mary Peterson
Homeschool (Kansas)
Major: Electrical Engineering

Mary is the daughter of James ('89) and Marisa Peterson. She became interested in engineering through her FIRST Robotics team, where she serves as programming lead and co-team lead. Outside the classroom, Mary enjoys volunteering weekly to mentor and tutor children in her community. She is also a member of the Overland Park Teen Council, a Youth Liaison for the Overland Park Citizens' Environmental Advisory Council and is active in her church youth group.

Mary looks forward to challenging herself through the excellent engineering programs at Wichita State. She is excited about the leadership and service opportunities an engineering degree will open to her.

James Tran
Wichita High School East (Kansas)
Major: Computer Science

James is the son of Ngoc Tran and Le Trinh Pham. He is a percussionist in the Wichita High School East Band, as well as in the Wichita Youth Symphony. He participates in Tri-M, is a member of National Honor Society and plays for the Wichita East golf team. In addition, he enjoys being in the Office Club and Smash Bros. Club. He is in the International Baccalaureate program at East and is currently a National Merit Semifinalist.

James enjoys playing video games, and golf with his friends on the team. He is pursuing a major in computer science and wants to become a software developer. He enjoys programming and believes that a computer science major will help him make a career out of what he loves doing.