KU News Release

Slavic languages students receive awards at annual recognition event

Go to county and state directory

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures recognized 28 students for academic excellence, language proficiency and outstanding service at its annual honors reception April 15.

Maria Carlson, acting chair and professor of Slavic languages and literatures, welcomed attendees and presided at the event.

As outstanding graduating seniors in the department, five students were inducted into Dobro Slovo, a national honor society for students majoring in Russian language and literature. They are Sarah Bumpus, Cedar Falls, Iowa; Yuki Onogi, Tokyo, Japan; Ryan Stoops, Fairbury, Neb.; Anna Tabakh, Leawood; and Ellen Zust, St. Louis, Mo.

Bumpus received a Harley S. Nelson Scholarship Award, which is made available through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to noteworthy seniors in humanities or social science departments.

Students received certificates and book awards for excellence in elementary and advanced Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; elementary and intermediate Polish; elementary, intermediate and advanced Russian; advanced Slovene and elementary and advanced Ukrainian.

KU is the only university in the Great Plains to offer doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Slavic languages and literatures. The department itself and in conjunction with the Center for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies offers Slavic-related events throughout the year. The area studies program, one of only 12 such federally funded national resource centers, provides a range of Slavic courses offered by more than 50 faculty members in 16 departments.

The Harley S. Nelson Scholarship Award is managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

Students who received awards are listed below by hometown, major, parents’ names, high school and award. Students with more than one award or major are listed multiple times.

-30-

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.