WICHITA -- The Rudd Foundation has announced its fourth class of Rudd Scholars who will each receive a four-year college scholarship to attend Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, or Wichita State University.
The Rudd Scholarship covers all remaining tuition and fees, books and supplies, and on-campus room and board, after other aid, grants, and scholarships are applied to a student’s account. The expected value for the 30 new recipients over four years is approximately $1.1 million.
With the additional 30 scholars, there are expected to be 103 Rudd Scholars in total this upcoming fall 2021. This represents approximately a $4 million financial commitment to date since the program’s inception in 2018.
“We are privileged to announce the exceptionally high-caliber, well-rounded students that were selected as Rudd Scholars this year,” said Darrell Swank, president of the Rudd Foundation. “By removing the financial burden associated with a college education, it is our hope that these individuals will be actively involved on campus, maintain good grades, graduate in four years debt-free, and thus be well-positioned to pursue their passions and dreams in whatever vocations they desire.”
Of the thirty new scholars, 19 will be attending Wichita State, seven at Fort Hays State, and four at Emporia State. The scholarship is earned through a competitive selection process that includes the applicant’s grades, test scores, essays, letters of recommendation, and for the 50 finalists, a personal interview. This year’s process involved selecting the thirty winners from a record number of over 1,300 students from all over the state who began the process.
“We started the Rudd Scholar Program four years ago and continue to find extremely talented young women and men in our Kansas high schools, who possess the Midwestern values of grit, determination and work ethic, all qualities Mr. Rudd valued,” said Corri Roberts, director of the Rudd Foundation. “We believe by supporting these young leaders to continue their education in Kansas, they will follow their passions and give back to their communities and the state.”
In addition to living on campus and carrying a full load of classes towards their college degree, scholars will receive mentoring and coaching to help them graduate in four years and build essential academic and life skills. They will also participate in developmental activities outside the classroom, network with leaders in their future professions, build relationships among themselves, and serve to help the next generation of scholars through an active and connected alumni association after graduation.
“By this time next year, we will have over 100 Rudd Scholars on campus and supporting one another,” said Swank “Our intent is that they will continue to network with each other after graduation, as they continue on their trajectory of being positive contributors to our Kansas communities and society as a whole.”
Local and area students who were named to the 2021 class of Rudd Scholars include the following.
Kyra Byrd, McPherson High School, Wichita State University
Mackenzie Eden, Peabody High School, Wichita State
Logan Erichsen, Ellsworth High School, Fort Hays State University
Quin Girard, Clifton-Clyde High School, Fort Hays State University
Rachel Hagen, Solomon High School, Wichita State University
Sadie James, Southeast of Saline High School, Fort Hays State University
Austin Rempel, Hillsboro High School, Wichita High School
Yaritza Vega, Salina South High School, Fort Hays State University
--Rudd Foundation--