KU News Release

Two KU seniors win 2006 Ex.C.E.L. Awards

LAWRENCE — Two University of Kansas seniors were presented as winners of the 15th annual Excellence in Community Education and Leadership Awards during halftime ceremonies at the KU-Texas A&M homecoming football game in Memorial Stadium on Oct. 7.

Scott R. Ferguson, Leawood senior in business administration, and Lauren Burdette Pierson, Prairie Village senior in English, were selected for the $500 awards by representatives of KU’s Student Union Activities, Board of Class Officers and homecoming steering committee. Winners were selected from a field of 10 finalists also introduced at halftime.

The awards provide annual scholarships to a male student and a female student for achievement and leadership. Winners also must work on a leadership conference during the school year in conjunction with KU’s Student Involvement and Leadership Center.

A selection committee with representatives from SUA, the Board of Class Officers and the homecoming steering committee chose winners on the basis of leadership, effective communication skills, involvement in the KU community, academic scholarship and ability to work with a variety of students and organizations. The award was established in 1991.

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.

Ferguson is the son of Lisa Ferguson and a graduate of Rockhurst High School. Ferguson is the Interfraternity Council president and a member of Mortar Board and the Alpha Nu chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Pierson is the daughter of Jo and George Pierson and a graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School. Pierson has been involved with Student Senate boards and committee work and is a member of the Lambda chapter of the Chi Omega sorority. Last spring, she interned with U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan., in Washington, D.C. She is an intern with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ office. Pierson plans to attend law school.

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