KU News Release

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Business recognized some of its most academically exceptional students with a combined $85,000 in scholarships.

The 25 freshmen, who were surprised with the scholarships at a reception welcoming them to the School of Business on Sept. 30, are in the Business Scholars Program because they scored higher than 30 on their ACTs in high school and were directly admitted to the School of Business as freshmen.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that you’ve been studying so hard and then, out of nowhere, you get rewarded,” said Jordan MacDonald, of Kansas City, Kan.

Most of the students are already taking business classes.

“The early exposure is great,” said Daniel Gao, of Wichita. “You’re getting out there and doing it before a lot of people.”

The Business Scholars Program aims to reward and create a close-knit environment for freshmen in the School of Business.

“We’re not just giving out money, we’re bringing people together,” said Jason O’Connor, assistant dean of undergraduate programs.

Sense of community is instilled throughout the School of Business in its more than 20 undergraduate and graduate student organizations. High academic standards are important, too. This fall, students admitted to the undergraduate business program had an average ACT score of 24.8. The national average is 22.1.

The business minor program also awarded scholarships to students in September. Twenty-three students earning business minors received $24,000 in scholarships for earning As in all of their business minor courses.

The School of Business’ undergraduate program is ranked in the top 14 percent in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report.

The scholarship recipients, all freshmen in the School of Business, are listed below by their hometown, parents’ names and high school.

JACKSON COUNTY
From Holton 66436
Christopher Schmitz; David and Gail Schmitz; Jackson Heights High School

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Fairway 66205
Mary McCandless; Jeffrey McCandless and Elizabeth Waugh; Shawnee Mission East High School

From Leawood 66209
Brian Boyd; Chris and Nina Boyd; Blue Valley North High School

From Lenexa 66219
Jessica Hardesty; Jason and Melissa Hardesty; Shawnee Mission West High School

From Mission Woods 66205
Taylor Haviland; Charles and Barbara Haviland; Shawnee Mission East High School

From Olathe 66062
Nicholas Patton; Lavonne and Richard Patton; Olathe Northwest High School

From Overland Park 66213
Ambika Kumar; Sadhna Kumar; Blue Valley Northwest High School

Nicholas Adams; James and Sharon Adams; Olathe East High School

Samuel Thomas; Jay and Mary Cay Thomas; Blue Valley Northwest High School

From Overland Park 66221
Logan Handley; Lee and Lori Handley; Blue Valley West High School

From Shawnee 66218
Emma Tolle; Randy and Mary Pat Huycke Tolle; Mill Valley High School

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66503
Janani Ganta; Roman and Suhasini Ganta; Manhattan High School

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67204
John Kesler; Boyd and Kecia Kesler; Wichita Collegiate School

From Wichita 67208
Daniel Gao; Qizhi Gao; Wichita High School East

From Wichita 67212
Daniel Amott; Mark and Pam Amott; Wichita High School Northwest

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66606
Kelly Murphy; Susan and James Murphy; Topeka High School

From Topeka 66614
Neeradha Ravikumar; Santhanakrishnar and Amrutha Ravikumar; Washburn Rural High School

William Herron; Stephen and Susan Herron; Washburn Rural High School

From Topeka 66618
Joseph Gronniger; Daniel and Kimberly Gronniger; Hayden High School

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66111
Jordan MacDonald; Michael MacDonald and Heather Hall; Bonner Springs High School

CALIFORNIA
From San Diego 92128
Jesse Hegwood; Jeffery and Armonda Hegwood; Mount Carmel High School

MISSOURI
From Liberty 60468
Kristen Wright; Kenneth and Wendy Wright; Liberty High School

From Raymore 64083
Lawrence Flanagan; Jolynne Flanagan; Raymore-Peculiar R-2 High School

NEBRASKA
From Lincoln 68516
Jaydee Jurgensen; Deb and John Jurgensen; Lincoln Southeast High School

From Omaha 68164
Jenna Nieto; Joe and Julie Nieto; Millard North High School