KU News Release

KU announces top scholars graduating with Class of 2008

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LAWRENCE — More than 165 members the Class of 2008 will be recognized as top scholars during commencement at the University of Kansas on Sunday, May 18.

Each year, KU awards its most prized four-year scholarships to undergraduates whose academic records and other qualifications make them eligible for selection. These students are Chancellors Club Scholars, Elizabeth M. Watkins-Emily Berger Scholars, Solon E. Summerfield Scholars, Endowment Meritorious Scholars, National Merit Scholars, National Hispanic Scholars and National Achievement Scholars. KU Endowment manages the funds for these scholarships.

In addition, 11 McNair scholars are among the graduating seniors being recognized. The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant that serves undergraduates who come from low-income families, are first-generation college students or are from groups underrepresented in higher education. The program prepares them to be successful in graduate school.

The Chancellors Club, the major-donor organization at KU Endowment, annually awards 10 renewable scholarships worth $1,500 to $2,000 to recognize National Merit finalists, five from Kansas and five from out of state, who have outstanding high school records.

Elizabeth M. Watkins-Emily Berger and Solon E. Summerfield scholarships provide $3,000 a year for four years to 100 Kansas high school graduates in recognition of their outstanding high school academic achievements and records of community service and leadership. Summerfield scholarships for men are funded through an endowment established by Solon E. Summerfield, who was a Lawrence native and KU graduate. Watkins-Berger scholarships for women are financed by the estate of Elizabeth M. Watkins of Lawrence and an endowment in memory of Emily Berger, a KU graduate, by her brother, the late Arthur Berger of Dallas.

Endowment Meritorious Scholarships provide $500 to $2,500 a year for four years to high-achieving students who enhance the diversity of the student body.

The National Merit Scholarship is regarded as the most prestigious national award bestowed upon high school seniors. Fewer than 9,000 students of the 1.3 million who compete for the award, or fewer than 1 percent, receive National Merit Scholarships. Recipients are chosen based on their academic abilities and extracurricular activities.

The National Hispanic Scholars and National Achievement Scholars programs are the nation’s most prestigious competitive scholarships for minority students. National Achievement Scholarships are provided through the National Merit Scholarship Corp. in Evanston, Ill. National Hispanic Scholarships are coordinated by the National Hispanic Recognition Program, through the College Board offices in New York City.

KU’s National Merit, National Hispanic and National Achievement scholars in this year’s graduating class received a scholarship for tuition (15 credit hours each semester), campus fees and a housing stipend, renewable for four years.

The Class of 2008 includes graduates from the spring 2008 and summer and fall 2007 terms. The commencement procession begins at 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

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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.