The fifth class of Rudd Scholars includes 16 Kansas high school seniors who will attend Wichita State University.

Each recipient will receive a full-ride scholarship, which includes tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and considerable networking and coaching support along the way. All Rudd Scholars are from Kansas and will attend Wichita State, Emporia State or Fort Hays State.

“We couldn’t ask for a better collaborative partnership from the Rudd Foundation, in terms of not only making sure Shocker Rudd Scholars graduate from college debt-free, but also their hands-on deployment of additional networking, mentoring and fellowship activities for their students.” said Bobby Gandu, assistant vice president and director of undergraduate admissions. “Based on the track record from the first four classes of Rudd Scholars, this fifth class will be students who thrive academically at Wichita State, while also securing incredible internships and being student leaders in our campus community.”

In addition to living on campus and carrying a full load of classes toward their college degree, scholars will receive mentoring and success coaching to help them graduate in four years. They will also participate in many developmental activities outside the classroom, network with leaders in their future professions, build strong relationships among themselves and serve to help the next generation of scholars through an active and connected alumni association after graduation.

“The foundation is honored to offer the Rudd Scholarship to each of these remarkable students — who are without exception, extraordinary in their intellect, work ethic and determination,” said Darrell Swank, president of the Rudd Foundation. “Leslie Rudd’s vision in establishing this scholarship program was to provide students of this caliber with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the college experience, graduate without debt and be inspired to pursue their own passions and dreams, all while developing a deep connection to their Kansas roots. As we witness the Rudd Scholars advance through our program and enter their chosen fields, we are seeing this come to fruition and Mr. Rudd would be very proud.”

This brings the greater total of Rudd Scholars studying at WSU to 64 students, the most of any Kansas Board of Regents institution. In total, there are 30 Rudd Scholars for 2022, and the expected value of the scholarships over four years is approximately $1.2 million.

The Rudd Scholarship, sponsored by the Rudd Foundation, aims to remove financial barriers to a college education. Chosen scholars are expected to achieve a high level of excellence on campus in preparing themselves to be leaders in their profession and in their communities after graduation.

2022 Rudd Scholars attending Wichita State:

• Gilberto Aguilera, Emporia High School
• Cohen Ayres, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School (Wichita)
• Riggin Carney, Flinthills High School (Rosalia, Kansas)
• Hallie Fritz, Anderson County Junior and Senior High School (Garnett, Kansas)
• Hyler Green, Udall High School
• Megan Hensley, Kingman High School
• Jace Lavigne, Ulysses High School
• Carla Meraz, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science (Kansas City, Kansas)
• Marisol Muñoz-Morales, Wichita Collegiate School
• Bryson Murphy, Osage City High School
• Amy Nguyen, Wichita South High School
• Gary Phat Tran, Rose Hill High School
• Ava Reis, Ness City High School
• Ethan Shea, Golden Plains High School (Rexford, Kansas)
• Gianna Watts, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School (Wichita)
• Allison Wiggs, Wichita County Junior and Senior High School (Leoti, Kansas)

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Wichita State University serves as the Kansas urban-based research university, enrolling more than 16,000 students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

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