KU News Release

Members of honors program, university scholars to be recognized May 16

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LAWRENCE — The University Honors Program and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas will commend outstanding members of the Class of 2009 at a joint recognition ceremony from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall. A reception in the courtyard of Murphy Hall will follow.

The ceremony honors more than 150 students who are completing the University Honors Program and the University Scholars Program. This year, the honored students will receive gold medallions to wear during commencement activities.

The Class of 2009 includes graduates from the summer and fall 2008 terms and those who are candidates for degrees in spring 2009.

Stanley Lombardo, director of the University Honors Program; Joseph Steinmetz, interim provost and dean of the College; and Don Steeples, senior vice provost for scholarly support, will welcome the students and their guests.

David Lambertson, Winchester, a member of the Honors Advisory Committee and co-director of the KU Center for International Business Education and Research, will deliver the keynote speech. Lambertson, a former U.S. ambassador to Thailand and former U.S. representative for the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization, started and formerly managed the partnership program between KU and Fort Leavenworth.

University Honors Program students must complete a freshman tutorial and a combination of honors courses and out-of-classroom experiences such as study abroad, internships, community service or undergraduate research to graduate from the program.

Located in Nunemaker Center, the program provides academic advising and information regarding the many opportunities at KU. Honors students enroll in honors courses, which are small and discussion-based and emphasize writing and research. Honors students are encouraged to participate in cultural and social activities as well as community service.

Honors students also are encouraged to work on research projects and to apply for scholarships, internships or fellowships. Each year, undergraduate awards are available through the University Honors Program, providing funds for research projects conducted with a faculty mentor. Students compete twice a year for these undergraduate research grants.

The university’s formal commencement takes place at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17, in Memorial Stadium. For more details about commencement events, go to www.commencement.ku.edu.

Honored students are listed below.

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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.