KU News Release

KU announces fall 2008 Watkins-Berger, Summerfield scholars

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LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Office of Admissions and Scholarships has announced the 138 students who have received prestigious Summerfield and Watkins-Berger scholarships for fall 2008.

The scholarships provide $4,500 per year for four years to each student. About 40 more students received the scholarships this year than in previous years.

“Since KU has experienced its largest freshmen class ever, we also saw enrollment increased in this group of student-scholars,” said Gail Sherron, associate director of admissions and scholarships. “We are pleased that so many of Kansas’ most talented students selected KU as their college of choice.”

All Summerfield and Watkins-Berger scholarship recipients will be recognized as part of Scholars Day on Nov. 15 at halftime of the KU-Texas football game in Memorial Stadium.

The scholarships are awarded to top students graduating from Kansas high schools in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements, records of community service and leadership.

KU Endowment administers the scholarship funds and the Office of Admissions and Scholarships coordinates the review and awarding process. The Chancellor’s Honor Scholarship Committee selects the recipients.

Summerfield scholarships for men are funded through an endowment established by the late Solon E. Summerfield, a Lawrence native who earned bachelor’s and law degrees from KU in 1899 and 1901, respectively, then moved to New York where he founded the Gotham Silk Hosiery Co. He endowed the scholarship program in 1929. Summerfield Hall, home to KU’s School of Business, was named for him at its dedication in 1960.

Watkins-Berger scholarships for women are financed by the estate of philanthropist Elizabeth M. Watkins of Lawrence and an endowment in memory of Emily Berger by her younger brother, the late Arthur Berger, and his wife, Marie. Emily Berger, who received a bachelor’s from KU in 1914, died in 1920 before receiving a master’s in chemistry. What became the Watkins-Berger scholarships were first established by the Bergers in 1943.

To be eligible for the scholarships, high school seniors need a cumulative unweighted 3.5 grade-point average and an ACT score of 31 or higher or SAT of 1360 in math and critical reading. Starting in fall 2009, students will need to have a 3.65 unweighted GPA.

Names of Summerfield and Watkins-Berger scholars are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents (when available) and high school attended.

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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.