KU News Release

KU’s Dole Institute announces 2007 public service scholarship recipients

LeAndrea Wilson of Kansas City, Kan., is a 2007 Dole scholar. Wilson graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts and Science and plans to study medicine at KU.

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas recently announced 128 new Sen. Robert J. Dole Public Service Scholars for the 2007-08 academic year.

The recipients, all 2007 Kansas high schools graduates, represent the largest class of Dole scholars since the program began in 2005. Funded by NASA, the scholarships are distributed among the state’s four congressional districts to ensure the broadest statewide participation.

“This year, the Dole Institute received a second federal grant, and we are able to offer nearly three times the number of scholarships as in each of the previous two years,” said Bill Lacy, institute director.

The scholarship program began with a federal grant that funded 40 scholarships each in 2005 and in 2006. With the addition of the 128 scholarships awarded this year, the total number of Dole scholars comes to 208.

The new scholars will enroll this fall at one of the six Kansas Board of Regents universities or Washburn University in Topeka. Regents universities are KU, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University.

Aligned with the primary mission of the Dole Institute, the scholarship program encourages young Kansans to get involved in politics, government and community service.

“Dole scholars represent the best among Kansas high school graduates,” said Barbara Ballard, director of the scholarship program and associate director of the Dole Institute. “Dole scholars are required to engage in 100 hours of civic activities annually. We hope that their experiences will influence them throughout their lives to become involved citizens.”

Recipients receive a $1,000 scholarship, renewable for three years, and commit to completing 100 hours of civic activities annually. Kansas high school seniors who have volunteered in community and public service in their communities and who have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale are eligible.

The Dole Public Service Scholarship is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a department of Scholarship America, a national nonprofit educational support and student aid service organization that seeks to involve and assist the private sector in expanding educational opportunities and encouraging educational achievement. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, disability or national origin.

The new scholars were formally announced during a June luncheon meeting at the Dole Institute. They are listed below by the high school, hometown and the university they are attending.

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