Related topics KU enrolls record-setting 116 National Merit Scholars KU announces names of National Merit Scholars Fiske Guide: KU's national reputation "improved" Subscribe now to receive KU News by email

Contact: Lynn Bretz, University Relations, (785) 864-3256.

KU rises to 8th in U.S. for National Merit scholars

LAWRENCE -- Signaling a growing national prominence, the University of Kansas now ranks eighth in the country among public universities in the enrollment of new National Merit scholars, just-released rankings show.

KU enrolled a record class of 116 National Merit scholars for the 2000-01 academic year, more than all of the other public universities in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri combined. In 1999-2000, KU enrolled 101 and ranked ninth in the nation. KU had the largest National Merit scholar enrollment increase of any Midwestern university for 2000-01.

"This ranking strongly demonstrates the strength of the university and how much it offers to students from Kansas and across the country," said Chancellor Robert Hemenway. "This is a testament to the quality of the programs and faculty here at KU. Academically talented students, whether or not they are National Merit scholars, are recognizing that KU is the place to go for a superior education."

Other schools in the top 10 are the University of California-Berkeley and the University of Texas-Austin, each with 245 National Merit scholars; University of Florida, 166; Texas A&M University, 142; University of North Carolina, 137; University of Oklahoma, 132; Arizona State University, 119; Iowa State University, 113; and Ohio State University, 110.

The National Merit scholarship is widely regarded as the most prestigious nationwide award bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Less than 10,000 students receive National Merit scholarships from the 1.2 million students who compete for the award. Recipients are chosen based on their academic abilities and records and extracurricular activities. Among public universities, a total of 148 schools enrolled 3,496 new National Merit scholars in 2000-01.

Other Midwestern public universities and Big 12 universities enrolled the following numbers of scholars: University of Iowa, 32; University of Missouri-Columbia, 29; University of Nebraska, 26; Kansas State University, 14; Truman State University, 10; University of Missouri-Rolla, 7; Southeast Missouri State University, 3; and University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2.