KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Five undergraduates at the University of Kansas will spend this school year discussing Afghanistan, health care and the relationship between art and human rights with prominent public intellectuals.

Julia Barnard, a sophomore from Lawrence; Earl Brooks, a senior from Topeka; Bethany Christiansen, a junior from Emporia; Melissa Melling, a junior from Leawood and Prairie Village; and David Wilcox, a senior from Manhattan, have been selected as 2009-10 Hall Center Scholars.

Each scholar receives an award of $500 and the opportunity to interact with the visiting speakers taking part in Hall Center for the Humanities’ highly regarded Humanities Lecture Series.

“I applied for the Hall Center Scholar award because I wanted to expand my involvement in the humanities beyond my major,” said Melling.

Victor Bailey, director of the Hall Center, said that is precisely the goal of the program, now in its third year.

“We want undergraduates to take advantage of the unique opportunities for engagement that these visiting lecturers provide and to understand that some of the most valuable learning takes place beyond the classroom,” he said.

Wilcox echoes this sentiment. “Hearing other professionals speak about their public work as well as their private past is an intriguing and exhilarating way to reflect on my own future.”

The 2009-10 Humanities Lectures Series includes appearances by author Lewis Hyde, heath care critic and National Public Radio commentator T.R. Reid, Nigerian novelist Chris Abani, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver, former British military officer and Afghanistan expert Rory Stewart and KU associate professor of film and independent film director Kevin Willmott.

The Hall Center Scholar awards are made possible by donations to the Friends of the Hall Center, an organization of faculty, community members and students who support the center’s programs. The award is open to KU undergraduates with strong academic credentials who have demonstrated significant engagement in the university community.

For more information about the Hall Center Scholars or the Humanities Lecture Series, go to www.hallcenter.ku.edu.

The scholars are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names and high schools.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66046
Julia Barnard, sophomore in English and history, daughter of Philip Barnard and Cheryl Lester; Lawrence High School.

LYON COUNTY
From Emporia 66801
Bethany Christiansen, junior in art (illustration) and English; Emporia Senior High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66206 and Prairie Village 66206
Melissa Melling, junior in history of art, daughter of Ben Melling of Prairie Village and Sara Melling of Leawood; Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
David Wilcox, senior in chemistry and English, son of Dan and Beth Wilcox; Manhattan High School.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66605
Earl Brooks, senior in American studies and music, son of Earl and Vanessa Brooks; Highland Park High School.