KU News Release

May 27, 2009
Contact: Allyson Flaster, McNair Scholars Program, (785) 864-9626.

McNair Scholars Program announces summer internships, awards to graduates

LAWRENCE — The McNair Scholars Program at the University of Kansas honored its graduating seniors at an annual banquet and announced 20 undergraduates selected for summer internships in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program.

McNair scholars are undergraduates who plan to attend graduate school and pursue doctoral studies following receipt of their bachelor’s degrees. The program supports low-income, first-generation college students and minorities underrepresented in graduate education. Admission is selective, and scholars must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

In addition to paid summer internships, the McNair scholars receive the guidance of a KU faculty mentor, Graduate Record Exam preparation, academic advising, tutoring and fee waivers for graduate school applications.

At the May 4 banquet, four of 14 McNair scholars in KU’s Class of 2009 received special awards. Chancellor Robert Hemenway assisted Robert Rodriguez, associate director of the McNair Scholars Program, and Allyson Flaster, academic services coordinator for the McNair Scholars Program, in presenting framed certificates to each award winner.

In addition, KU’s Educational Opportunity Programs, of which the McNair program is a part, presented the chancellor with its Champion of Opportunity Award. The award goes to an individual who has demonstrated significant commitment to the mission of equal educational opportunity by advocating for youth and/or adults who are low-income, are first-generation college students, have a disability or are underrepresented minorities in college faculties.

The McNair Scholars Program is named for Ronald E. McNair, a physicist and astronaut who died in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle explosion. KU’s program is one of 185 nationwide designed to help ensure that the next generation of faculty members in the United States represent the nation’s diverse society.

Graduating seniors and their awards:

Sylvia Niccum, Olathe, received the LaTina Sullivan Award. The award is presented annually to a McNair scholar who demonstrates an unwavering commitment to helping others, good citizenship and social responsibility in actions and research. The award was established in memory of former McNair scholar LaTina Sullivan, a KU journalism student who died of an asthma attack in June 1997 while she was editor of the University Daily Kansan.

Chris Reine of Kansas City, Mo., and Norfolk, Va., received the Chico Herbison Leadership Award. The award recognizes the accomplishments of a McNair scholar who clearly demonstrates a strong leadership presence at KU and, through his or her actions, a concern for furthering the ideals of the university and higher education. The award honors Chico Herbison, the founding director of KU’s McNair Scholars Program.

Jay Middleton, Paola, received the Ronald E. McNair Challenger Award. This award honors Ronald E. McNair and recognizes the achievements of a McNair scholar who, because of diligence and commitment to research and learning, gives promise to a successful academic career.

Jennifer Henslee, Shawnee, received the McNair Spirit Award. The award recognizes a McNair scholar who best demonstrates the “McNair spirit” in scholarly presence at KU, is diligent in participation in McNair program activities and possesses a strong scholarly work ethic.

For more information about the McNair Scholars Program, go to www.mcnair.ku.edu.

The award winners and internship recipients are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, high schools and internship or award.

BARTON COUNTY
From Great Bend 67530
Dagoberto Heredia Jr., sophomore in psychology, son of Dagoberto and Maria Heredia; Great Bend High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

BUTLER COUNTY
From Andover 67002 and Maize
Emily Diane Hooker, junior in psychology and strategic communication, daughter of Dave Hooker of Andover and Sheila Hooker of Maize; Andover Central High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

COFFEY COUNTY
From Le Roy 66857
Sabrina Coreen Gregersen, senior in biology and psychology, daughter of David and Teresa Gregersen; Le Roy High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Joshua David Gapetz, junior in American studies and political science; Lake Weir High School, Ocala, Fla.; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

Jennifer Karen Hurst, senior in American studies; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

From Lawrence 66046
Joshua Adam Anderson, senior in English; Perry-Lecompton High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

From Lawrence 66049
Lauren Michelle Baker, junior in speech-language-hearing, daughter of Dennis and Janella Baker; Lawrence Free State High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

Harriet Esi Browne, senior in anthropology, daughter of George and Justina Browne; Lawrence Free State High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

FINNEY COUNTY
From Garden City 67846
Sonny Thanh Hong, junior in chemical engineering, son of Son and Kim Hong; Garden City Senior High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

Eric Daniel Martinez, senior in psychology; Garden City Senior High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

GEARY COUNTY
From Fort Riley 66442
Brandy Raylene Fogg, junior in biology and environmental studies, daughter of Randall and Jenette Fogg; Junction City Senior High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Olathe 66061
Sylvia Dawn Niccum, graduating senior in foreign language education, daughter of Seana Niccum; Olathe Northwest High School; LaTina Sullivan Memorial Award.

From Overland Park 66207
Brian Matthew Hiller, junior in psychology, son of Charles Hiller; Shawnee Mission South High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

From Shawnee 66216
Jennifer Ashley Henslee, graduating senior in psychology, daughter of Jonathan and Linda Henslee; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; McNair Spirit Award.

MIAMI COUNTY
From Paola 66071
Jay Justin Middleton, graduating senior in communication studies and psychology, son of Sandra Hinson; Ronald E. McNair Challenger Award.

RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson 67502
Carrie E. Mendoza, senior in psychology, daughter of Michael and Peggy Mendoza; Hutchinson Senior High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Maize 67101 and Andover
Emily Diane Hooker. See BUTLER COUNTY

From Wichita 67207
Angela Trang Nguyen, junior in human biology and cognitive psychology, daughter of Vinh and Tram Nguyen; Kapaun Mount Carmel High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66605
Earl Holmes Brooks, senior in American studies and music, son of Earl and Vanessa Brooks; Highland Park High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66106
Christina Garcia, senior in Latin American studies, daughter of Francisco G. and Alicia Garcia; Bishop Ward High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

From Kansas City 66112
Anthony Matthias Johnson, sophomore in psychology, son of Jeffrey and Antrina Johnson; Sumner Academy Arts and Science; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

MISSOURI
From Kansas City 64111 and Norfolk, Va.
Chris Reine, graduating senior in psychology, son of Camille Reine of Kansas City and Earl Reine of Norfolk, Va.; Lincoln College Preparatory Academy; Chico Herbison Leadership Award.

From Raytown 64133
Anthony Robert Prosser, junior in chemistry, son of Kevin Prosser; Jefferson West High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

From St. Charles 63303
Jamie Leigh Bost, sophomore in history and linguistics, daughter of Deborah Bost; St. Charles West High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

TEXAS
From Plano 75074
Maritza Stephanie Sanchez, senior in speech-language-hearing, daughter of Jorge and Martha Sanchez; Plano East Senior High School; 2009 McNair Summer Research Internship.

VIRGINIA
From Norfolk 23501 and Kansas City, Mo.
Christopher Reine. SEE MISSOURI

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