KU News Release

Nov. 2, 2007
Contact: Nicolas Shump, University Honors Program, (785) 864-3305 .

Dean’s Scholars to be recognized at Nov. 5 reception

LAWRENCE — Nineteen University of Kansas students in the Dean’s Scholars Program will be honored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the University Honors Program with a reception at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at Nunemaker Center.

Joseph Steinmetz, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will welcome returning and newly selected Dean’s Scholars. Established in 1992, the program provides recipients with annual $1,000 scholarships and faculty mentors and is designed to diversify the talent pool available for liberal arts and sciences faculties.

The Dean’s Scholars Program is part of the University Honors Program and is geared for academically talented students in the liberal arts and sciences 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. Students are selected as sophomores and juniors based on a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

James Orr directs the program. Orr is an Honors Faculty Fellow and is a professor of biological sciences. Nicolas Shump coordinates the program. Shump is a Dean’s Scholars Program alumnus and a doctoral student in American studies.

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

ALLEN COUNTY
From Humboldt 66748
Matthew Zachary Hudson, junior in psychology; Humboldt High School; Sandra Craig McKenzie, professor of law

COWLEY COUNTY
From Winfield 67156
Erin Aili Birney, junior in Spanish, daughter of Donald and Susan Birney; Winfield High School; Jorge Pérez, assistant professor of Spanish and Portuguese

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Alexander J. Krejci, senior in geology and physics, son of Jerry and Kelly Krejci; Olathe Northwest High School; Adrian Melott, professor of physics and astronomy

JACKSON COUNTY
From Circleville 66416
Rae Ann E. Anderson, junior in psychology and religious studies, daughter of David and Sara Anderson; Jackson Heights High School, Holton; David Johnson, assistant professor of clinical psychology, and Douglas Denny, professor of clinical psychology

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Olathe 66062
Sarah Elizabeth Beals, senior in journalism (strategic communications emphasis) and psychology, daughter of Jonathan and Cindy Beals; Olathe South High School; Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett, professor of clinical child psychology and senior vice provost for academic affairs

Monica Jean Summers, senior in English and history, daughter of Ronald and Mary Summers; Olathe South High School; Ernest Jenkins, assistant professor of history

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; Catherine Preston, associate professor of theatre and film

From Overland Park 66213
Zachary Josef Abramovitz, senior in English, son of Morris and Sara Abramovitz; Olathe East High School; Mary Klayder, University Honors Lecturer in English

From Prairie Village 66207
Brandon Harry Hidaka, senior in biochemistry, son of Paul and Roxanne Hidaka; Shawnee Mission East High School; Stephen Ilardi, associate professor of clinical psychology

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Leavenworth 66048
Alyssa Marie Padilla, junior in humanities with an international studies co-major, daughter of Linda Cooper; Leavenworth Senior High School; Bartholomew Dean, associate professor of anthropology

RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson 67502 and McAllen, Texas
Kimberly Michelle Hernandez, sophomore in environmental studies, daughter of Janette Seidl of Hutchinson and Daniel Hernandez of McAllen, Texas; Hutchinson Senior High School; Karl Brooks, assistant professor of environmental studies and history

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Matthew Eugene Gibson, junior in English, son of Tracy and Pamela Gibson; Manhattan High School; David Bergeron, professor of English

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Garden Plain 67050
Catherine Anne Seiwert, senior in applied behavioral science and psychology, daughter of Leon and Denise Seiwert; Garden Plain High School; Glen White, professor of applied behavior science

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66605
Earl Holmes Brooks, junior in music and American studies, son of Earl and Vanessa Brooks; Highland Park High School; Maryemma Graham, professor of English

From Topeka 66610
Anita Pravin Sampat, sophomore in history of art, daughter of Pravin and Anjana Sampat; Washburn Rural High School; Sarah Crawford-Parker, assistant director of University Honors Program

From Topeka 66616
Richard Aaron Martinez, senior in American studies and psychology, son of Kirsten Martinez; Topeka High School; Omri Gillath, assistant professor of social psychology

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66112
Derrais Armarne Carter, senior in African and African-American studies and sociology, son of Roy and Sheryl Carter Clarice Fernandes; Washington High School; Dorthy Pennington, associate professor of African and African-American studies and communication studies

TEXAS
From McAllen 78501 and Hutchinson, Kan.
Kimberly Michelle Hernandez. SEE RENO COUNTY

BRAZIL
From Recife
Da Cunha Loureiro Amorim, sophomore in anthropology and Latin American studies, daughter of Rogerio Caldas Loureiro Amorim; Robert Rodriguez, project coordinator for McNair Scholars Program

NIGERIA
From Ikoyi, Lagos
Ifeoluwa Samuel Omoniyi, senior in finance and economics, son of Abiodun Omoniyi; Elizabeth Asiedu, associate professor of economics

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