2 KU engineering students win national Tau Beta Pi scholarships

LAWRENCE -- Two University of Kansas students are among 38 engineering students nationwide selected to receive Tau Beta Pi scholarships for 2003-04.

Scott Roberts of Arma and Jacob Spence of Wichita, both juniors in chemical engineering, are the first KU students to win the scholarships from the national engineering honor society.

Roberts and Spence each will receive $2,000 for their senior year of study. The recipients are selected based on several criteria, including class rank (Roberts and Spence are third and first, respectively, within their department), demonstrated leadership and extracurricular activities. To be eligible, the students also must be members of Tau Beta Pi.

Both Roberts and Spence have been involved in a variety of activities at KU. The two have been active in the KU student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, or AIChE. In addition, Spence and Roberts have distinguished themselves by conducting research as undergraduate students.

Spence is in the University Honors Program on campus and has received an Undergraduate Research Award made available through the university. He also has played two years of football for KU. He has accepted an internship for the summer with Chevron in Houston. The position may help him determine his future direction, he says. He is undecided about whether to pursue a law degree or enter industry in a research capacity. Spence is the son of Byron and Julie Spence of Wichita and is a Goddard High School graduate.

Roberts is president of KU's chapter of AIChE. He recently helped coordinate and orchestrate the AIChE Mid-America Regional Conference at KU. He has been active in the KU Ambassadors program, supported through the Office of Admissions and Scholarships. He also was active in Boy Scouts until January 2003. He plans to enter graduate school, earn a doctorate and pursue a career in research and development. He is the son of Alan and Linda Roberts of Arma and is a Northeast High School graduate.

This is the fifth year Tau Beta Pi has offered these scholarships.