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KU seniors select HOPE Award finalists, will name winner at Nov. 15 football game
Update 11/17/08: The winner of this year's HOPE Award is Mary Klayder.
LAWRENCE — The winner of the 2008 HOPE Award (Honor for an Outstanding Progressive Educator) will be announced during the third quarter of the University of Kansas vs. University of Texas-Austin football game Nov. 15 in Memorial Stadium. Game time is 11:30 a.m.
The HOPE Award is the only honor given exclusively by students for teaching excellence. Finalists receive a monetary award and recognition on a permanent plaque displayed in the Kansas Union.
The 2008 finalists are:
— Kerry Benson, lecturer in journalism
— Matthew Beuchner, associate professor of molecular biosciences
— Thomas Glavinich, associate professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering
— David Holmes, professor of psychology
— Mary Klayder, University Honors Lecturer in English
Nominations were solicited from the senior class by e-mail. Faculty receiving the most nominations were placed on a ballot that was e-mailed to seniors to narrow the field to a group of finalists. Representatives of the Board of Class Officers and its Senior Advisory Board select the winner through interviews with the finalists.
The Class of 1959 established the award to recognize outstanding teaching and concern for students. In 1972, three professors tied and each received a HOPE Award: the late John Bremner in journalism, Arno Knapper in business and Elizabeth Schultz in English. Last year, Craig Martin, professor and chair of ecology and evolutionary biology, and Edward McBride, lecturer in civil, environmental and architectural engineering, received the award. Three professors have received the award more than once: the late Clark E. Bricker in chemistry received the award four times; the late Charles “Rick” Snyder in psychology, three times; and Martin twice, in 2002 and 2007.
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Lariviere will join representatives of the senior class and Board of Class Officers and their advisers, Clinton Everhart and Lori Reesor, in introducing the finalists and presenting the award at the Nov. 15 game. Everhart is assistant director for the Office of Student Financial Aid. Reesor is associate vice provost for Student Success.
The students joining the award presentation are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, high school and role in the award presentation.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66047
Nathan Mack, senior in linguistics and Russian, son of John and Karen Mack; St. Sophia Academy in Lawrence; Senior Advisory Board member.
JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66206
Todd Crawford, senior in finance preparing to study medicine, son of Jeff and Kim Crawford; Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village; senior class vice president.
From Lenexa 66215
Kristen Watkins, senior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communication) with a minor in leadership studies, daughter of Gary and Barb Watkins; Shawnee Mission West High School; Senior Advisory Board member.
From Olathe 66061
Dominique Crain, senior in art (painting), daughter of Lee Crain; Olathe Northwest High School; Senior Advisory Board member.
From Olathe 66062
Roderick Patton, junior in information systems, son of Richard and and Lavonne Patton; Olathe East High School; Board of Class Officers Awards chair.
From Overland Park 66214 and O’Fallon, Mo.
Courtney Montle, senior in journalism and mass communications (news and information) with a communication studies minor, daughter of Robin Montle of Overland Park, and John Montle of O’Fallon, Mo.; Shawnee Mission South High School; Senior Advisory Board member.
From Prairie Village 66208
George Revis Lewis, senior in history and political science with a minor in classics, son of Shawnee Mission East High School; senior class secretary.
From Shawnee 66226
Margaret Gremminger, junior in communication studies, daughter of Robert Gremminger; Mill Valley High School; Senior Advisory Board member.
RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson 67502
Courtney Brax, senior in management, daughter of David and Sue Brax; Buhler High School; Senior Advisory Board member.
SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67206
Tyler Thress, senior in biology and chemistry preparing to study dentistry, son of Brad and Toni Thress; Wichita High School East; Senior Advisory Board member.
From Wichita 67212
Aly Rodee, senior in communication studies, daughter of Mike and Liz Rodee; Wichita High School Northwest; Senior Advisory Board member.
From Wichita 67235
Mitch Voth, senior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communication) and Spanish, son of Kent and Deborah Voth; Maize High School; Senior Advisory Board member.
SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Tecumseh 66542
Paige Ward, senior in marketing, daughter of Mark and Kathy Ward; Shawnee Heights Senior High School; senior class treasurer.
Kaitlin Carr, senior in mechanical engineering, daughter of Kevin and Linda Carr; Shawnee Heights Senior High School; Senior Advisory Board member.
From Topeka 66614 and Fairmont, W.Va.
Rachel Burchfield, senior in journalism with a minor in leadership studies and special concentration in political science, daughter of Joy Burchfield of Topeka and Larry Burchfield of Fairmont, W. Va.; Washburn Rural High School; senior class president.
From Topeka 66615
Anne Atha, senior in human biology, daughter of Stephen and Jeanne Atha; Washburn Rural High School; Senior Advisory Board member.
MICHIGAN
From Brighton 48116
Jade Martin, senior in political science and international studies with a minor in leadership studies, daughter of Kristen Martin; Brighton High School; Senior Advisory Board member.
MISSOURI
From Kansas City 64111
Chris Reine, senior in psychology with a minor in applied behavioral science, son of Camille Reine; Lincoln College Preparatory Academy; Senior Advisory Board member.
From O’Fallon 63368 and Overland Park, Kan.
Courtney Montle. See JOHNSON COUNTY
WEST VIRGINIA
From Fairmont 26554 and Topeka, Kan.
Rachel Burchfield. See SHAWNEE COUNTY
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