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Contact: Rachel Cornish, SUA University Relations, (785) 864-7469.

Ex.C.E.L. Award winners to be honored during homecoming game

LAWRENCE -- Two University of Kansas seniors have won the 10th annual Ex.C.E.L. Award for Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership, sponsored by Student Union Activities and the Board of Class Officers.

Anneliese Stoever, Overland Park, and Robert McKenney, Clinton, Mo., both seniors, will be officially recognized during the KU homecoming football game Saturday, Oct. 13, at Memorial Stadium. The game kicks off at 6:13 p.m. Chancellor Robert Hemenway; Rachel Cornish, SUA vice president for university relations; and Josh Boots, senior class president, will present the awards at halftime.

Stoever and McKenney were also recognized in the KU homecoming parade Oct. 12. They were selected from 10 finalists. Each winner receives a $500 cash prize.

The awards were established in 1991 to recognize one male and one female student for achievement and to add student interest to annual homecoming festivities. The Ex.C.E.L. Award Selection Committee chooses finalists on the basis of leadership, effective communication skills, involvement in KU community, academic scholarship and ability to work with a wide variety of students and organizations. The award differs from most student awards because winners must work on a leadership conference during the school year in conjunction with KU Organizations and Leadership Development Center.

To be eligible, applicants must be full-time undergraduate students with an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Each student completed an application and participated in an interview process.

Stoever works extensively with homeless people and student and community organizations. She is the president of the German club and WAVE (Working Against Violence Everywhere) and holds executive offices with the Commission on the Status of Women and KU's Center for Community Outreach. She is a member of the Diversity Peer Education Team and the Emily Taylor Women¹s Resource Center advisory board and a mentor for Grow, an organization within the Center for Community Outreach.

McKenney is president of Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity, program director for MILK (Mentors In the Lives of Kids) with KU's Center of Community Outreach and a site leader for alternative winter breaks. He is active in St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Mortar Board honor society, Golden Key honor society, Interfraternity Council and the Owl Society.

Winner and finalist hometown information follows:

COFFEY COUNTY

From Burlington: Rustain Lee Morgan, senior, majoring in human biology, son of Sandi Troutman. He is a Burlington High School graduate.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY

From Ellsworth: Mark William Kohls, senior, majoring in education, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Kohls, 103 St. Clair. He is an Ellsworth High School graduate.

JOHNSON COUNTY

From Overland Park: Anneliese Stoever, senior, majoring in social welfare, daughter of Jane and Henry Stoever, 8405 W. 88th Terrace. She is a graduate of Bishop Miege High School in Overland Park.

From Olathe: Breeze E. Luetke-Stahlman, senior, majoring in American studies and economics, daughter of Kent and Barbara Luetke-Stahlman, who recently moved to Elm City, N.C. She is an Olathe South High School graduate.

SEDGWICK COUNTY

From Wichita: Kendra Leigh Seaman, senior, majoring in biology and psychology, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ken Seaman, 1604 Murray. She is a Wichita Northwest High School graduate.

SHAWNEE COUNTY

From Topeka: Eulalio Munoz Jr., senior, majoring in American studies and history, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eulalio Munoz, 204 Hancock. He is a Topeka High School graduate.

WILSON COUNTY

From Fredonia: Jennifer Ann Bacani, senior, majoring in chemistry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oswaldo Bacani, R.R. 4 Box 103-B. She is a Fredonia High School graduate.

MISSOURI

From Clinton: Robert G. McKenney, senior, majoring in chemistry, son of Jan and Thomas McKenney, 69 N.E. 100. He is a Clinton High School graduate.

From St. Louis: Marlon Daron Marshall, junior, majoring in communications studies, son of Esther Marshall, 7733 Arthur Ave. He is a graduate of Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis.

TEXAS

From San Angelo: Jessica Anne Bankston, senior, majoring in Spanish and communication studies, daughter of David and Kathleen Bankston, 5166 Ironwood Court. She is a graduate of Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque, N.M.