Wichita State University is proud to announce that six National Merit Finalists and seven National Hispanic Recognition Scholars have chosen to attend WSU starting in the Fall 2020 semester. 

Wichita State invests in the future of these high-achieving students by providing a four-year scholarship valued at $50,000, the most robust in the state. The scholarship can be applied to tuition and fees and/or on-campus room and board.

National Merit Finalists are selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation on the basis of high academic achievement, endorsement by a high school official, and performance on the Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT / NMSQT). Approximately one percent of the more than 1.6 million students who take the PSAT / NMSQT each year are selected as Finalists in the competition, which began in 1955.

The National Hispanic Recognition Program is also coordinated by the College Board and selects National Hispanic Recognition Scholars on the basis of their PSAT / NMSQT performance and other factors. The program honors the highest two percent of scorers who self-reported as at least one-quarter Hispanic.  

Adi Hoppas, Washburn Rural High School (Kansas). Adi is the daughter of Sheri and Jason Hoppas. While at Washburn Rural, Adi was a member of both National Honor Society and the Cheer team, and outside of school volunteered at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, Building Blocks Early Education Center, and USD 437 Elementary Schools. She will enter the College of Health Professions and wants to be a pediatric physician assistant.

Logan Hutchens, Edmond North High School (Oklahoma). Logan is the son of Steve and Anita Hutchens. At Edmond North, Logan was captain of the rugby team while being a member of NHS, TSA, Chinese Club and other organizations while also remaining active in his church. Logan intends to double major in both computer science and game design so that he can create video games.

Mary Peterson, Washington Preparatory Academy (Homeschool, Kansas). Mary is the daughter of Marisa and James Peterson, and sister of fellow National Merit recipient Grace. Mary has volunteered for her church’s youth group while mentoring and tutoring children in the community, while participating in For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics and the Overland Park Teen Council.  Mary wants to major in electrical engineering and is interested in learning more about cyber security and power grids.

Grace Peterson, Washington Preparatory Academy (Homeschool, Kansas). Grace is the daughter of Marisa and James Peterson, and sister of fellow National Merit recipient Mary. Grace has participated in FIRST Robotics and the Overland Park Teen Council, while also volunteering for her church’s youth group and as a tutor and Spanish interpreter. Grace will study mechanical engineering. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with family, cross stitching, and improving her Spanish and French.

Liz Snyder, Andover Central (Kansas). Liz is the daughter of Rich and Victoria Snyder. During her time at Andover Central, Liz was the President of Film Club, NHS Historian, and VP of the Tri-M Music Honor Society while participating in multiple bands, Scholar’s Bowl, Science Olympiad, and helped stage manage school theater productions. Liz will be a Pre-Med major.

Quoc Tran, Wichita East High School (Kansas). Quoc is the son of Le Trinh Pham and Ngoc Tran. While attending East, Quoc participated in NHS, Tri-M Music Honor Society, the Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestras, The Office Club, and was on the golf team. Quoc enjoys video games and electronic music, and wants to study computer science to learn how to make technology safer for all.

Joshua Beck, Elyria Christian High School (Kansas). Joshua is the son of Xochitl and Roger Beck. At Elyria Christian, Joshua was the class valedictorian, and participated in band, choir, Scholar’s Bowl, cross country, soccer, and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Joshua will major in mechanical engineering.

Courtney Brown, Derby High School (Kansas). Courtney is the daughter of Jacqueline Brown. Courtney served as Vice President of StuCo, was a member of NHS and the Chik-Fil-A Leader Academy, and participated in Debate and the student newspaper while at Derby. Courtney enjoys reading and writing, and will major in english creative writing.

Courtney Duff, Westwood High School (Texas). Courtney is the daughter of Amy Duff, and will major in entrepreneurship. 

Dalton Hevel, Azle High School (Texas). Dalton is the son of Lauren and Donald Hevel. While attending Azle, Dalton was on several teams: Robotics, Math and Science, Bowling, Cross Country, and Track. His hobbies include bowling, fishing, gaming and 3D printing. Dalton will major in mechanical engineering.

Lauren Madison, Wichita East High School (Kansas). Lauren is the daughter of Lila and Maurice Madison. At East, Lauren was the President of the Spanish of the Spanish Honors Society and was a member of both NHS and the National Art Honor Society. Lauren also played viola for the Wichita Youth Symphony Orchestras, and volunteered as a middle school Cross Country coach. Lauren will major in biochemistry and wants to become a pharmacologist to research and develop new medicines.

Eric Matthews, Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School (Kansas). Eric is the son of Erika and Stephan Matthews. During his time at Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Eric was on the Cross Country team and was the Co-Leader of the Tactician’s Club. Eric intends to major in business at WSU.

Richard Whitehill, Eisenhower High School (Kansas). Richard is the son of Irma and Rick Matthews. Richard played baseball while at Eisenhower, and participated in the computer programming and astronomy clubs at Fort Hays State University while in the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS) program. Richard wants to double major in physics and mathematics and intends to earn a doctorate degree so he can teach in higher education and conduct research.

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Wichita State is distinctive for opening pathways to applied learning, applied research and career opportunities, alongside unsurpassed classroom, laboratory and online education. The university's beautiful 330-acre main campus is a supportive, rapidly expanding learn-work-live-play environment, where students gain knowledge and credentials to prepare for fulfilling lives and careers. Students enjoy a wide selection of day, evening and summer courses in more than 200 areas of study at the main campus and other locations throughout the metro area and online. WSU's approximately 16,000 students come from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 other countries. Wichita State's Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.