March 26, 2002

Contact: Barbara Schowen, KU honors program, (785) 864-4225.

4 KU students compete for Goldwater Scholarships

LAWRENCE -- Four University of Kansas students are competing for national Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships to encourage excellence in science, engineering and mathematics.

The scholarships provide up to $7,500 for tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Winners who will graduate in 2003 receive one year of support; those graduating in 2004 receive two years of support. Winners will be announced in early April.

KU's nominees for Goldwater Scholarships all plan to graduate in May 2003. They are:

 • Ryan D. Kinser, Oklahoma City senior, is majoring in mathematics and philosophy, and he plans to become a research mathematician. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Kinser, 3159 Thornridge, Oklahoma City, and is a graduate of Classen School of Advanced Studies in Oklahoma City. Kinser is a National Merit Scholar.

 • Adam L. Kraus, Grantville senior, is majoring in astronomy, physics and mathematics with a career goal of research in astrophysics. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Kraus, Grantville, and is a graduate of Perry-Lecompton High School. Kraus is a National Merit Scholar.

 • Bonnie A. Sheriff, Lawrence senior, is majoring in chemistry and plans a career of research and teaching in chemistry. She is the daughter of Howard Sheriff, 500 Arrowhead Drive, and is a Free State High School graduate. Sheriff is one of 50 Watkins-Berger Scholars at KU.

 • Ian T. Tice, Tecumseh senior, is majoring in mathematics and physics. He plans to teach and conduct research in mathematics and would like to write popular math books for general readers. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Tice, 4748 S.E. Shawnee Heights Road, Tecumseh, and is a graduate of Shawnee Heights High School. Tice has a Southwestern Bell Foundation Scholarship.

Twenty-five KU students have been named Goldwater Scholars since the first scholarships were awarded in 1989. Congress established the program in 1986 to pay tribute to retired U.S. Sen. Goldwater of Arizona and to ensure a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers.

The board of trustees of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, Washington, D.C., plans to award up to 300 Goldwater Scholarships for the 2002-03 academic year. Scholars are selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of more than 1,000 students nominated by faculty members from colleges and universities nationwide.

Only sophomores or juniors who plan to graduate in 2003 or 2004 and who were judged to have outstanding academic records, significant research experience, and high potential for a career in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering were eligible for nomination by their universities. Nominees submitted applications that included a 600-word essay, several shorter essays and faculty recommendations.