Wichitan Leslie Rudd established the Rudd Foundation in 1994 and in 2018 the Rudd Scholars Program began honoring the Midwestern values that strengthen character and lead to a lifetime of success in business, community, and family.

The Rudd Scholars Program helped more than 100 Kansans attend Wichita State University and benefit from the program’s mentoring, personal and professional development, and community.

Wichita State is proud of its role helping Rudd Scholars pursue passions and realize dreams in the state’s largest city. Rudd Scholars at Wichita State are supported by many developmental activities outside the classroom.

They 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.

Here's what Rudd Scholar Hallie Fritz has to say about her time at WSU:

Garnett

Integrated marketing communications with minors in organizational leadership and learning and Spanish 

Sophomore

I applied for the Rudd Scholarship because my counselor informed me about the program. I was interested in the support and leadership parts of the program. I also applied so I could graduate debt-free and save for a down payment on a house.

I wanted to attend Wichita State because it is an amazing campus for internships. I was also attracted to all the amenities that Wichita offers.

The Rudd Scholarship supported me in so many ways. My transition from high school to freshman year was really hard. I was able to go to their office and tell them about it. I am also grateful for Mallie Hall, of Wichita State’s Counseling and Psychological Services staff.

Hallie Fritz

They helped me prepare my resume for internships. They also have many professional development opportunities that are open to all Rudd Scholars.

I had an internship through Wichita State at Gordon Parks Academy to give me experience in a different type of school and learning atmosphere. I am an intern at the Rudd Foundation office through Wichita State, which helps me with my integrated marketing communications experience.

It has brought me a community that I cannot explain. All the Rudd Scholars at Wichita State are like a big family. I can call and text any of them and hang out, do homework, and work out. They are all kind and willing to go out of their way to help you.

There are so many resources that Wichita State provides. Students can use the food pantry, resume workshops, mental health services, and so much more.

The most helpful learning experience has been the many internships, I changed my major from education to integrated marketing communications, which is a completely different major. Now I am interning at the Rudd Foundation as their internal marketing intern.

I am involved at St. Paul’s Catholic Student Center, a place that is special to me because it filled my heart. I lead a Bible study with one of my best friends. I also work as a barista at the Credo Coffee Shop. I participate in adoration and Dollar Lunch on a weekly basis.

The advice I would give to students applying for the Rudd Scholarship is to be genuine. They want scholars who have grit, determination, and a great work ethic.

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.

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