KU News Release

First winner of Nicole Bingham Memorial Scholarship named

Nicole Bingham

LAWRENCE — Yan Rong Liu, a senior at the University of Kansas, is the first recipient of the Nicole Bingham Memorial Scholarship, named for the KU student who died in the fire at Boardwalk Apartments in October 2005.

Nancy Bingham of Wichita established the scholarship in her daughter’s name just a few days after Nicole Bingham’s death. Nicole Bingham was a senior majoring in history when the blaze at the Lawrence apartment complex broke out, killing three people.

The scholarship’s first recipient also was affected by the fire at Boardwalk Apartments. Liu, a native of Fujian, China, was doing homework in the apartment she shared with her younger brother in the early hours of that late fall morning. To escape the fire, they climbed to the ground from a window in a bedroom on the back side of the building, receiving help from neighbors waiting below. Even in her haste, Liu managed to grab her backpack, wallet and a blanket. She also made it to class the next day, never letting the tragic event interrupt her studies.

“I am extremely grateful to receive this award,” Liu said. “I really appreciate the history department and Nicole Bingham's family giving me the scholarship. Also, I am also very thankful to Professor Katherine Clark, who encouraged me to apply for this scholarship.”

Liu is planning to graduate this May with a bachelor’s in history. She has been accepted to the KU School of Law.

“Yan is an exceptionally dedicated student who has worked hard for her education and overcome some very real challenges, not least the loss of her home in the Boardwalk fire,” said Bill Tsutsui, chair of the Department of History. “Her spirit, tenacity and love of history, all qualities also possessed by Nicole Bingham, make her a perfect recipient for this scholarship.”

The $1,400 scholarship will be presented to Liu at the history department’s awards ceremony Saturday, May 10.

Additional contributions to the scholarship fund can be made through 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.

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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.