Fifteen high school senior students have been selected to receive the two top scholarships from Newman University.
The combined estimated value of the 15 scholarships is more that $1,349,600.
Thirteen of the students are in the Wichita area, one is from Kansas City, Kan., and one is from Owasso, Okla.
Four students were awarded a 2017 Cardinal Newman Scholarship. The scholarship is Newman’s highest valued award, providing full tuition for four years to each student. The combined estimated value of the four scholarships is $469,600.
The scholarship is named for Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, namesake of Newman University. The scholarship is the most exclusive Newman University award and is given to only a limited number of high-achieving students each year. Applicants must have at least a 3.9 cumulative high school GPA and a 29 composite ACT score to apply. Cardinal Newman scholars are required to live on campus for all four years at Newman and complete 32 hours of community service each semester. The scholarship is renewable for eight semesters.
Eleven students will each receive a Monsignor Leon McNeill Scholarship. The scholarship, named for the first president of the university, awards students $20,000 per year for four years. McNeill Scholarship recipients must have at least a 3.9 cumulative high school GPA and a 29 composite ACT score. Recipients must also live on the Newman campus and meet community service requirements each semester.
The combined estimated value of the 11 McNeill Scholarships is $880,000.
Students selected for the awards are listed below.
Cardinal Newman Scholarship recipients:
Hazel May
May is from Derby High School. She will be an Elementary Education major, with an interest in pursuing special education. She is passionate about community service, having volunteered as a Cheerleading coach for special needs students at Derby High School, and is a member of Panther Pals Friendship Club for Special Needs Students. She has also been active in choir and band at Derby High School, and has an interest in tap dancing and playing guitar. May has a composite ACT score of 32, a cumulative high school GPA of 4.3, and is in the top 5 percent of her graduating class. Her parents are Gregory and Melissa May.
Tracy Nguyen
Nguyen is from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School. Nguyen is interested in Pre-Medicine. She will enter Newman University with sophomore standing, with incoming college credits from Newman and Friends University, and has been accepted into the Newman Honors Program and ASC Community Leader Program. Nguyen is a member of the National Honor Society, and has been very active at Bishop Carroll on the Chess Team, Scholar’s Bowl, Science Olympiad, Teens for Life, Spanish Club and other organizations. She has also been an active volunteer for the American Red Cross. Nguyen has a composite ACT score of 32, a cumulative high school GPA of 4.3, and is ranked first in her class. Her parents are Khoa and Tram Nguyen.
Nicholas Samsel
Samsel is from Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School. He is undecided on a major. Samsel is a member of the National Honors Society, and participates in Cross Country, Track, Band, Scholar’s Bowl, and Swimming at Kapaun Mt. Carmel. He has been offered direct admission to the Newman Honors Program. Samsel is an Eagle Scout and has performed community service at the Catholic Care Center. Samsel has a composite ACT score of 34 and a cumulative high school GPA of 4.4, and is ranked first in his class. His parents are Timothy and Carol Samsel.
Ryan Zhuang
Zhuang is from Wichita High School East. He is interested in Pre-Medicine. Zhuang is a National Merit Semi-Finalist and is in the International Baccalaureate Program at East. He has been very involved in activities including Conservation Organization, DECA, Spanish Club, Chess Club, Scholar’s Bowl, Orchestra and Math Club. He was also a member of the swimming and tennis teams. Zhuang has a composite ACT score of 35, a cumulative high school GPA of 3.8, and is in the top 6 percent of his graduating class. His parents are Nancy Shih and Xiaofeng Zhuang.
Monsignor Leon McNeill Scholarship recipients:
Zachary Eck
Andale High School
Major: Pre-Physical Therapy
McGrew (Mac) Foley
Wichita Collegiate School
Major: Pre-Dental
Bryant Hall
Owasso High School, Owasso, Okla.
Major: Liberal Studies
Brock Hess
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
Major: Secondary Education
Clare Morgan
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
Major: Nursing
Marie O’Neal
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
Major: Elementary Education
Eric Schartz
Maize High School
Major: Undecided
Matthew Slusser
Cheney High School
Major: Undecided
Victoria Stolz
Homeschool
Major: Theology
Katherine Sullivan
Piper High School, Kansas City, Kan.
Major: Pre-Physical Therapy
Sarah Ternes
Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
Major: Biochemistry
