KU News Release

Dean of KU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to honor scholars Nov. 13

LAWRENCE — Fifteen University of Kansas students in the Dean’s Scholars Program will be honored at a reception at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at Nunemaker Center.

Joseph Steinmetz, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will meet with the juniors and seniors in the two-year program, which is designed to diversify the talent pool available for liberal arts and sciences faculties.

Established in 1992, the Dean’s Scholars Program is part of the University Honors Program and is geared for academically talented students in the College who are interested in pursuing graduate study and who represent groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate education.

Dean’s scholars are matched with a distinguished KU faculty member and are required to complete special seminars designed to build skills and strategies necessary for graduate study and research.

Honors Faculty Fellow James Orr directs the program and Dean’s Scholars Program alumnus Nicolas Shump, a doctoral student in American studies, is program coordinator.

The scholars are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names and high schools (when available).

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Christy Lynn Bradley, senior in English; Lee’s Summit Senior High School.

Ashley M. Depenbusch, senior in women’s studies; Hays High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Olathe 66062
Sarah Elizabeth Beals, junior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis) and psychology, daughter of Jonathan and Cindy Beals; Olathe South High School.

Monica Jean Summers, senior in English and history, daughter of Ronald and Mary Summers; Olathe South High School.

From Overland Park 66213
Zachary Josef Abramovitz, junior in English, son of Morris and Sara Abramovitz; Olathe East High School.

From Overland Park 66212
Rebekah JoAnn Dye, junior in history of art and theatre and film, daughter of Brian Dye; Shawnee Mission South High School.

From Overland Park 66204
Brian Scott Lepic, freshman in physics, son of Don and Sue Lepic; Shawnee Mission North High School.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Garden Plain 67050
Catherine Anne Seiwert, junior in applied behavioral science and psychology, daughter of Leon and Denise Seiwert; Garden Plain High School.

From Wichita 67052
Meghann D. Curry, senior in political science, daughter of Kenneth and Brenda Curry; Maize High School.

From Wichita 67212
Luis Carlos Vargas, senior in astronomy and mathematics, son of Luis and Romana Vargas; Wichita High School Northwest.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66612
Bridget Dawn Franklin, senior in mathematics, daughter of John Joones; Topeka High School.

From Topeka 66616
Richard Aaron Martinez, junior in psychology, son of Kirsten Martinez; Topeka High School.

MISSOURI
From Springfield 65802
Michael Shane Speak, junior in East Asian languages and cultures; Central High School.

OKLAHOMA
From Norman 73069
Leslie M. Eldridge, senior in international studies, daughter of Greg and Lynn Summers; Norman High School.

NIGERIA
From Lagos
Ifeoluwa Samuel Omoniyi, senior in finance and economics, son of Abiodun Omoniyi.

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