KU News Release

KU students selected as McNair scholars, receive summer internships

LAWRENCE — Eighteen students at the University of Kansas have been selected to join the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program with internships for summer 2008.

McNair scholars are undergraduates who plan to attend graduate school and pursue doctoral studies following the receipt of their bachelor’s degrees. The program supports first-generation college students and minorities underrepresented in graduate education.

In addition to paid summer research internships, the McNair scholars will receive the guidance of a KU faculty mentor, Graduate Record Exam preparation, academic advising, tutoring and fee waivers for graduate school applications. Admission to the McNair program is selective: Scholars must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

The program is named for Ronald E. McNair, a physicist and astronaut who died in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle explosion. KU’s McNair program is one of 188 nationwide designed to help ensure that the next generation of American faculty members represents the diversity of society.

The KU program is accepting applications. For more information, contact program representatives at (785) 864-3412 or mcnair@ku.edu, or view the program’s Web site.

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

COFFEY COUNTY
From Le Roy 66857
Sabrina Coreen Gregersen, senior in psychology, daughter of David and Teresa Gregersen; Le Roy High School.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Joshua David Gapetz, sophomore in American studies and political science; Lake Weir High School, Ocala, Fla.

From Lawrence 66046
Joshua Adam Anderson, junior in English; Perry-Lecompton High School.

From Lawrence 66049
Harriet Esi Browne, junior in anthropology, daughter of George and Justina Browne; Lawrence Free State High School.

FINNEY COUNTY
From Garden City 67846
Eric Daniel Martinez, junior in psychology; Garden City Senior High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa 66215
Mahalet Candace Misgana, senior in speech-language-hearing, daughter of Lemma and Genet Misgana; Shawnee Mission West High School.

From Olathe 66061
Vernon Jerome Harris II, senior in psychology, son of Vernon Harris; Olathe North High School.

Sylvia Dawn Niccum, senior in foreign language education, daughter of Seana Niccum; Olathe Northwest High School.

From Shawnee 66216
Jennifer Ashley Henslee, senior in psychology, daughter of Jonathan and Linda Henslee; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

MIAMI COUNTY
From Paola 66071
Jay Justin Middleton, senior in psychology, son of Sandra Hinson.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Mulvane 67110
Lisa Margret Reichuber, senior in psychology, daughter of DeArah Reichuber; Mulvane High School.

From Wichita 67212
Kasey P. Cullors, senior in African and African-American studies and communication studies, son of Keith and Peggy Cullors; Wichita High School Northwest.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66605
Earl Holmes Brooks, senior in American studies and music, son of Earl and Vanessa Brooks; Highland Park High School.

SEWARD COUNTY
From Liberal 67901
Ofelia Castro, graduate student in education (curriculum and instruction), daughter of Bill and Yolanda French; bachelor’s degree in elementary education from KU; Liberal High School.

Phouthdavone Phimphasone, senior in psychology, daughter of Bain Souan Phimphasone; Liberal High School.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66103
Ugachi Olajumoke Ezekwe, junior in psychology, daughter of Emmanuel Ezekwe; J C Harmon High School.

OKLAHOMA
From Tulsa 74145
Sarah Elizabeth Neff, senior in journalism, daughter of Mike and Julie Almohandis; Union High School, Tulsa, Okla.

UTAH
From Salt Lake City 84101
Donald Edward Claus, senior in engineering physics, son of Donna Claus; Horizonte Instruction and Training Center, Salt Lake City.

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