KU News Release

Four KU undergraduates receive Boren scholarships to study abroad

LAWRENCE — Four University of Kansas students have been named 2007 David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholars by the National Security Education Program, which supports the study of languages and cultures underrepresented in study abroad and critical to national security.

Jacob R. Longaker, DeSoto junior; Dustin John Stephenson-Reynolds, Wichita senior; Stephanie A. Smiros, Overland Park senior; and Zachariah J. Smith, Derby, Kan., and Dumfries, Va., senior, are KU’s new Boren NSEP scholars. Recipients must commit to a year of service upon their return in the intelligence community or one of the following federal departments: defense, homeland security or state.

A total of 43 KU undergraduates, including the four recipients announced today, have received Boren NSEP scholarships since 1994 when the first scholarships were awarded. The National Security Act of 1991 established the program, which funds undergraduate and graduate study. The program seeks to educate U.S. citizens, help them understand foreign cultures, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and enhance international cooperation and security.

For more information on how to apply for the NSEP award, contact Justine Hamilton, program coordinator for the Office of Study Abroad, (785) 864-7807.

Each of KU’s 2007 Boren NSEP scholarship recipients will study in student-initated programs administered through other universities or program providers. Brief biographical information about the scholars follows:

JOHNSON COUNTY
From DeSoto 66018
Jacob R. Longaker is majoring in political science with a co-major in international studies. He is a University Honors Program student and plans to minor in Portuguese. He will study on a student-initiated program through Council on International Educational Exchange to Sao Paulo, Brazil, at the Pontifica Universidade Catolica de Sao Paulo. He is a member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Brasilian Student Association and the International Relations Council Kansas City. After graduation, Longaker hopes to work in Brazil as a foreign service officer. He is the son of Reed and Donna Longaker and a graduate of DeSoto High School.

From Overland Park 66221
Stephanie A. Smiros is majoring in English with a co-major in Eastern Europe/Russia area studies. She will study in Russia at Yaroslavl State University on a student-initiated program through Middlebury College in Vermont. Smiros is a Navy ROTC cadet. Her long-range goals include working in foreign affairs. She is the daughter of John and Jane Smiros and is a Blue Valley High School graduate.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67209
Dustin John Stephenson-Reynolds is majoring in French and history and plans to minor in Arabic. Stephenson-Reynolds will study at the Arabic Language Institute in Morocco. He is the son of Fred W. Stephenson and Laurie A. Reynolds and is a graduate of Wichita High School East.

From Derby 67037 and Dumfries, Va.
Zachariah J. Smith is majoring in political science with an international studies co-major. He will study at the University of Jordan in Amman through the Council on International Educational Exchange. He is a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, a national leadership and honors organization. He is the son of Jeff and Lisa Smith (who have recently moved to Virginia) and is a Derby High School graduate.

VIRGINIA
From Dumfries 22026 and Derby, Kan.
Zachariah J. Smith. SEE SEDGWICK COUNTY

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