KU News Release

KU to honor 77 high school seniors from eight southwest Kansas counties Oct. 18

LAWRENCE — Students from 16 Kansas high schools will be honored Wednesday, Oct. 18, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 77 seniors from high schools in Clark, Comanche, Ford, Gray, Hodgeman, Kiowa, Meade and Ness counties will be recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a 6:30 p.m. dinner program at the Knights of Columbus, 800 W. Frontview St., Dodge City.

The Kansas Honors Program began in 1971 and will honor its 100,000th student this year. Scholars rank in the top 10 percent of their high school senior class and are selected regardless of curricula, majors, occupational plans or higher-education goals. Honorees’ names are listed online at www.news.ku.edu/2006/october/4/khpdodgecity.shtml.

During the ceremony, each student will receive an American Heritage Dictionary in hardback and CD versions, presented by Jennifer Sanner, senior vice president for communications for the KU Alumni Association.

Mary Ellen Kondrat, dean of the School of Social Welfare, will speak to the students, their parents and guests. Honored students will be guests of the Alumni Association and KU Endowment; parents and area alumni are welcome to attend at a cost of $12 each.

Community volunteers collect reservations, coordinate details and serve as local contacts for the event. Melaney Vogel, Dodge City, will be the site coordinator. County coordinators are Robert and Sally McNickle, Ashland; Liz Ballard, Haviland; Philip and Patricia Ridenour, Cimarron; Mary Joanne Sorem, Jetmore; and Lynn Chance, Fowler.

The Kansas Honors Program is made possible through KU Endowment and proceeds from the Jayhawk License Plate program.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.