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LAWRENCE -- The first 25 Kansas/Asia Scholars, sponsored through a $2 million grant to the University of Kansas to broaden understanding of East Asia in Kansas, will be recognized during ceremonies at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, in the Spencer Museum of Art courtyard.
Ann Weick, dean of social welfare, and Kim Wilcox, dean of liberal arts and sciences, will join faculty from KU's Center for East Asian Studies to honor the first students selected for the Kansas/Asia Scholars Program. Ninety-four KU students applied for the first class of scholars in the program.
The program is funded for four years with a grant from the Freeman Foundation of New York City and Stowe, Vt. The grant is designed to help connect KU students and Kansans with the people and businesses of Asia.
The grant establishes a travel study program that sends KU students to Japan, South Korea and China on three-week study tours and supports four new faculty positions as well as the Kansas/Asia Community Connection, a program designed to strengthen ties between Kansans in agriculture and business with their counterparts in Asia. In addition, KACC coordinates community service projects and internships for the Kansas/Asia Scholars when they return to Kansas.
William Tsutsui, KU associate professor of history and director of both programs, said that the KACC initiatives offer Kansans a way to learn about new markets as well as create connections at a cultural level.
"Many of the issues faced in western Kansas are similar to those in rural Japan or Korea, such as an aging population and depopulation of small towns," Tsutsui said. "This will start a dialogue, with the goal that people in Kansas will understand what kind of community interests they have in common with people in East Asia, above and beyond shared markets."
The 25 Kansas/Asia Scholars will travel in May to three countries Ð nine to China, nine to Japan and seven to South Korea. On their return, they will commit 20 hours of community service to teach others in Kansas about what they have learned in Asia.
Kansas/Asia Scholars will see aspects of the country that few tourists do. For example, in China, business students will study emerging capitalism and work with people involved in trade policy and American businesses. In South Korea, social welfare students plan to work side by side with Korean social workers. The scholars may receive academic credit for their study tours and must pay KU tuition to do so. Their travel expenses, including airfare and two meals a day, are covered by the Kansas/Asia Scholars program.
There is no language requirement but the scholars must enroll in two Asian studies classes before going abroad. KU's Center for East Asian Studies will provide survival language training before the students go abroad. Scholars were selected on the basis of an essay describing the impact a trip to China, Japan or Korea would have on their lives. Their applications included faculty recommendations and copies of their transcripts. Sophomores and juniors received priority.
The names of the first Kansas/Asia Scholars, their hometowns, majors, parents' names and high school alma maters (when available); the country they will visit and a quote from the student's application (when available):
ATCHISON COUNTY
From Atchison
Lindsay Elizabeth Eplee, sophomore in social welfare, daughter of John and Deborah Eplee; Atchison High School graduate; Korea. "This ... study abroad program will allow me to learn of Korean life, social problems the country faces, and their ideas about how to solve for these problems." -- Lindsay Eplee
BROWN COUNTY
From Hiawatha
Todd Alan Barrett, junior, majoring in genetics and in cellular biology and preparing to study medicine, son of John and Marcia Barrett; Hiawatha High School graduate; China. "Asia is a world power in scientific research, and better understanding of their business practices will make me a better physician. Also, first hand exposure to ancient Chinese medicine would provide a better understanding of alternative treatments my patients may someday want to pursue." -- Todd Barrett
DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Eudora
Eric Jeremy Garrett, junior majoring in Spanish, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Garrett; China. "By traveling to China, I feel that I would have a greater understanding of the culture, customs, and life of the Chinese people. Three weeks would give me a sense of the understanding and a greater ability to do business with the people. Knowing their customs would greatly reduce my chances of committing a significant faux pas while trying to do business successfully." - Eric Garrett
Lydia A. McKay, senior in social welfare; Hutchinson High School graduate; Korea. "I can only believe that global experiences would aid me in creating a greater base of knowledge to draw from. Opportunities to view how other systems operate in different countries would assist in my future professional endeavors." -- Lydia McKay
From Lawrence
Patrick Thomas Wong, junior majoring in accounting and in business administration and economics, son of Shing-Hon and Mo-Ching Wong; Lawrence High School; China. "One of my goals is to further my understanding of the Asian culture for the purpose of bettering my life, giving me another perspective in evaluating my academic and professional work and enhancing my leadership skills." -- Patrick Wong
FORD COUNTY
From Bucklin
Andrea Joan Bontrager, graduate student in social welfare; Haven High School graduate; to Korea. "I believe that by physically experiencing Korean culture, as well as the welfare system therein, my personal growth will be largely nurtured and inspired, as well as initiating inventive, all-inclusive means by which to do so." --Andrea Bontrager
JOHNSON COUNTY
From DeSoto
Melissa Buren, junior majoring in East Asian languages and cultures, daughter of James and Mary Buren; Emporia High School graduate; Japan. "Whether I end up translating literature, teaching English in Japan, or any other of the many opportunities awaiting me in the future, I want to help make a connection between our countries." -- Melissa Buren
From Mission
Jaima Shireen Barnes, sophomore in social welfare, daughter of Greg and Jeanie Barnes; Mission High School and King City (Mo.) High School; Korea. "As a social worker, it will be important to have perspectives on the social work profession in other places of the world. This will enable me to [be]¹ more aware of the challenges facing people from an East Asian background. If, because of this experience, I can make one client feel more comfortable due to my awareness of their culture, it will be more than worthwhile." --Jaima Barnes
From Overland Park
Patrick Landazuri, junior majoring in psychology and preparing to study medicine, son of Gabriel and Coleen Landzuri; Rockhurst High School (Kansas City, Mo.) graduate; Japan. "As a doctor, I feel it important to share the skills given in a doctor's training. Admittedly, Japan is probably not a country that needs American doctors to help, but there are many other Asian countries that do need that extra help. I plan on [¹] volunteering my time to help others in need, in my community for sure, but in the community of the world as well." -- Patrick Landazuri
Emmy Lou Levens, junior majoring in political science and preparing to study journalism, daughter of Katherine Levens; Shawnee Mission North High School; Japan. The Kansas/Asia Scholars program is more than merely an opportunity to study abroad; it is an opportunity to experience another culture from within." -- Emmy Levens
Ryan Kristopher Wallace, junior majoring in environmental studies, son of Sue Meyer and Fred; Blue Valley North High School; China. "The Kansas/Asia Scholars program would help to put me in a position to begin to study the problems faced by these Asian governments when confronting environmental and economic issues, starting with a fundamental understanding of Asian culture." -- Ryan Wallace
From Prairie Village
Jessica Nicole Herman, junior, 0251 BA J535 BSJ, daughter of Joe and Cindy Herman; Shawnee Mission East High School graduate; Japan. "In studying the Asian culture by submerging myself in it, I believe that I would gain a better understanding, in my research and teaching, about how Asians fit into and make up American society." --Jessica Herman
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Lansing
Brynn Elizabeth Harris, sophomore majoring in international studies, daughter of George and Kathleen Harris; Lansing High School graduate; China. "Free international trade is becoming more of a reality every day, and I want to be a part of it. I hope to one day work international business between the US and another part of the world, and the best way to get started is to jump right in." -Brynn Harris
MARSHALL COUNTY
From Waterville
Luke Wallace Carson, sophomore majoring in human biology preparing to study medicine, son of Charles and Nancy Carson; Valley Heights High School (Blue Rapids) graduate; Japan. "Being in a place like Japan would give me an idea about how I would be accepted as a member of the medical profession in countries with values different than our own." -- Luke Carson
MIAMI COUNTY
From Paola
Katherine "Katie" Elizabeth Pretz, junior majoring in science education, daughter of George and Marjorie Pretz; Osawatomie High School graduate; Japan. "I want to know the truth of the Japanese culture beyond the stereotypes. I want to experience the Japanese culture myself and integrate new things into my life. I want to take advantage of being young and able to form myself and my future through unique experiences." -- Katie Pretz
SALINE COUNTY
From Salina
Sara Rae Rageth, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to study journalism, daughter of Becky Rageth; Salina High School graduate; China. "By experiencing an Asian culture instead of just learning about it in a classroom, I believe that will have a better understanding of that culture¹" --Sara Rageth
SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Elizabeth Snyder, senior in social welfare, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Snyder; Wichita High School Southeast graduate; Korea. "I have a great desire to see and learn from the people in the rest of the world and to understand their experiences and gain knowledge from their wisdom." --Elizabeth Snyder
Hanh Hong Thi Vu , freshman majoring in political science and French, daughter of Ha Vu-Le and Chinh Vu; Dodge City High School graduate; China. "This trip to China is a once in a life time experience which will nurture both my academic and personal growth." -- Hanh Vu
COLORADO
From Glenwood Springs
Jessica Joy Nelson, junior majoring in Spanish and in business administration, daughter of Paul and Nancy Nelson; Goodland High School graduate; China. "I feel that through this program, I can make a change in the world. My goal is to first educate myself about the values, cultures, and traditions of China and then to share my newfound understanding with groups and businesses here in the United States who do not have the opportunity to travel abroad. If I can educate even one business about Chinese business ethics or open the mind of one person to Chinese culture, then I will have been successful, because ¹[that person] can teach another ¹, who in turn will teach another ¹ and the chain will go on forever." -- Jessica Nelson
MISSOURI
From Independence
Nicolle D. Mindrup, master's degree student in social welfare; Korea. "An opportunity to visit an Asian country and the social service agencies there would greatly enhance the way in which I provide services to these clients." -- Nicolle Mindrup
From St. Louis
Nicole M. Hipp, senior majoring in architecture, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hipp; Oakville Senior High School; Japan. "¹participating in the Kansas/Asia program exposes me to one of the more significant cultural influences in my profession, and arguably the most significant Asian influence, as Japan has provided some of the most provocative architects of our time." -- Nicole Hipp
From Wildwood
Lindsay Michelle Marion, senior majoring in architectural engineering, daughter of Danny and Donna Marion; Eureka High School graduate; Japan. "I am interested in sustainable architecture, as well as the related issues of land use and conservation. All of the issues are addressed to a much greater degree in Japanese than in American architecture, due to the environmental constraints of that country, and I believe that I could obtain valuable insight into sustainable design by traveling in Japan." -Lindsay Marion
MINNESOTA
From Chaska
Jillian Ashley Bauhs, sophomore majoring in Spanish and preparing to study nursing, daughter of James and Margene Bauhs; Wichita High School Southeast graduate; China. "My goal for this trip is to learn about the lives and livelihood of the Chinese people, so as to be of better service to my community (collegiate and otherwise)."--Jillian Bauhs
NEBRASKA
From Omaha
Hannah Marie Abelbeck, senior majoring in English, art history and the humanities, daughter of Stewart and Michelle Abelbeck; Millard South High School graduate; Japan. "I think that the Kansas Asia Scholars Program will help me learn much more about Japan than I could ever learn by reading books about visiting there." --Hannah Abelbeck
OKLAHOMA
From Oklahoma City
Loretta L. Pyles, to Korea, doctoral student in social welfare, daughter of Dawne Pyles; Korea. "By seeing and learning about Buddhist approaches, I will be in a better place to develop and articulate a theoretical framework for social work that can be useful to both Buddhist and non-Buddhists in the United States and beyond." -- Loretta Pyles
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