Thirty seniors from 成人头条 Heights High School, Derby High School and Trinity Academy are targeted as Dean's Scholars by 成人头条 for 2008-2009. The program aims for the best and brightest students, and offers students a full ride for their freshman year at WSU.
The program, now in its third year, will undergo one significant change. In addition to selecting 10 students each from Heights, Derby and Trinity, 成人头条 State is putting the "all call" out to any student in Sedgwick County who might like to apply for one of 10 at-large spots.
Christine Schneikart-Luebbe
"This really opens the opportunity to a much broader audience," said Christine Schneikart-Luebbe, dean of enrollment services at WSU and the person responsible for the program. "Students who are interested in one of the at-large spots will need to get a recommendation from their high school to be considered.鈥�
Prospective students are encouraged to work through their high school, but if they still have questions, they can contact Schneikart-Luebbe at (316) 978-3149.
Prospective Dean鈥檚 Scholars should secure a recommendation letter from an official at their high school (a teacher, a counselor, a coach or a principal) and submit it by Friday, Sept. 5. WSU is looking for local movers and shakers who are academically talented and leaders in their respective schools. Students need to have at least a 26 on the ACT to be considered.
In just two short years, the Dean's Scholars program has generated a lot of interest in the local schools. Schneikart-Luebbe said, "This was the first year where the school representatives actually asked during our initial meetings, 'How can we enhance our chances to be selected as a Dean's Scholars school?'"
Students who qualify for the Dean's Scholars program are asked to attend a specially designed program monthly during the school year. About half of the programs showcase academic opportunities and half introduce scholars to the social aspects of collegiate life at WSU.
The first class of Dean's Scholars from 成人头条 East, Andover High School and Kapaun Mt. Carmel, have completed their freshman year. Schneikart-Luebbe has continued to meet with the students every two weeks throughout their first year at 成人头条 State.
鈥淚t鈥檚 difficult to put into words what the Dean鈥檚 Scholars program has done for me," said Dustin Kuhn, 2007 成人头条 East High School International Baccalaureate graduate and a charter member of the first class of Dean's Scholars. "My freshman experience would not have been near the same without the opportunities the program has provided.
"The ability to share the experience with so many other outstanding students, who I now call friends, has been amazing. The guidance from the dean truly helped me through a crucial point in my education and I am proud to have been a charter member of the Dean鈥檚 Scholars program and happy to call 成人头条 State home.鈥�
"My experience with the Dean鈥檚 Scholars program has been a life-changing one," said Anthony Marrone, 2007 Kapaun Mt. Carmel graduate, also a charter member of the first class of Dean's Scholars. "The most incredible aspect of college life for me has been the individual attention I have received while here. At larger schools I felt like a number, whereas at WSU I feel like a person. This feeling came directly from the dean who took a very personal interest in my success. She made WSU home."
Susan Burdick, parent of Ben Burdick, a 2007 Andover High School graduate and Dean's Scholar, said the program "represents a great opportunity for bright local students to experience what WSU has to offer. I was most impressed with the ongoing level of attention and communication, and with the variety and quality of beneficial experiences made available to the Dean's Scholars."
The new class of Dean's Scholars from Maize High School, The Independent School, Campus High School and 成人头条 Southeast High School will attend WSU this fall. Thirty-one of the 34 students selected for the program plan to attend WSU.