18 WSU-bound students awarded full-ride Rudd Scholarships
March 7, 2023
By Strategic Communications
Scholarships at Wichita State
Funding your high-quality Wichita State education is easy. Just get admitted, and
if you're eligible, we'll send you an automatic scholarship offer. You could also
qualify for some of the more than $100 million in other scholarships and financial
aid we award each year. In addition, many of our out-of-state students qualify for
in-state or reduced tuition.
The sixth cohort of Rudd Scholars includes 18 Kansas high school seniors who have
chosen to attend Wichita State University.
Ashlyn Armstrong — Central Plains High School in Claflin, Kansas
Natalee Delgado — Valley Center High School
Alejandra Facio — Garden City High School
Kylie Flaming — Inman High School
Liberty Gilkey — Kiowa County High School
Hayden Hartung — Hesston High School
Jackson Haslett — Clearwater High School
Elias Iseman — Bishop Carroll Catholic School in Wichita
Riley Jaske — Sterling High School
Isabella Kilman — Valley Center High School
Zain Maknojia — Halstead High School
Katherin Mayer — Bishop Carroll High School
Erik Moreno — Wichita High School South
Chinonye Otuonye — Wichita Northwest High School
Katie Rempel — Hillsboro High School
Ryan Richardson — Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in Kansas City, Kansas
Jade Simeona — Goddard High School
Ashlee Villarreal — Garden City High School
Each Rudd Scholar 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.
“The Rudd Foundation continues to lead the way in supporting Kansas students in reaching
their educational goals and career dreams,” said Bobby Gandu, assistant vice president
and director of undergraduate admissions. “We’re in awe of the work the Rudd Scholars
team does to not only help their students graduate from college-debt free, but by
pushing them to go further than they ever would have imagined.”
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.
“This scholarship is life-changing for these students and their families, as it opens
the gateway to powerful mentoring, study abroad experiences, high-value internships
and a statewide network of Rudd Scholars who graduate ready to lead and impact Kansas
communities,” Gandu said.
This brings the greater total of Rudd Scholars studying at WSU to 63 students, the
most of any Kansas Board of Regents institution. Total, there will be 109 Rudd Scholars
enrolled at the three universities. Since 2018, the Rudd Foundation has awarded 168
scholarships, representing a $9 million commitment.
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.
Corri Roberts, director of the Rudd Scholarship Program, said the program focuses
on going beyond meeting the financial needs of the students.
“We view the Rudd Scholarship as much more than a financial investment in our students,”
she said. “We strive to offer these exceptional young people the opportunity to receive
mentoring, networking, professional development, and internship opportunities, as
well as encouraging them to give back to philanthropic organizations that inspire
them. The incredible result of this is a connection with and amongst the scholars
that continues beyond their four years in our program.”
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling
almost 22,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including 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.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in
the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM),
Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of
applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one
of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing
over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
