04/21/16 sds
HAYS, Kan. - The Honors College at Fort Hays State University has selected a new class of 25 students, including seven current FHSU students and 18 incoming freshmen.

The new class increases the size of the Honors College by 80 percent, which is 25-percent bigger than the college's target goal.

"The incoming Honors College class represents a superb blend of diversity and brilliance," said Matt Means, director of the Honors College. "They bring to FHSU an incredible blend of talents and interests. Some are scientists, some are musicians, some are linguists and some are farmers. Many are athletes. All of them share one characteristic: outstanding intellect."

"We look forward to seeing them follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal precedent set by the inaugural Honors College class," said Means.

The Honors College will start its second year of operation in fall 2016.

"While the FHSU Honors College is newer than many, its focus on individual development, curricular innovation and flexibility, and family-oriented atmosphere shows that this is truly the destination of choice for the brightest minds," said Means.

The Honors College offers three exclusive scholarships: The Regents Scholarship, the Tier 1 Scholarship and the Tier 2 Scholarship, all of which are renewable for three additional years.

Four students were selected for the Regents Scholarship, which covers full tuition and fees up to 18 credit hours, room and board and includes $450 per semester for books.

The Tier 1 Scholarship provides students with a total of $10,000, $4,000 for tuition and $6,000 for room and board. The Tier 2 Scholarship, $6,700, provides students with $3,500 for tuition and $3,200 for room and board.

The incoming class is listed alphabetically by hometown:

Burrton (67020): Kaetlin Weninger, a junior majoring in nursing, is a 2014 graduate of Trinity Catholic High School.

Delphos (67436): Brik Thompson, an incoming freshman majoring in sports and exercise therapy, is a 2016 graduate of Minneapolis High School.

Ellinwood (67526): Cassidy Schlessiger, an incoming freshman majoring in animal science, is a 2016 graduate of Ellinwood High School.

Grand Island, Neb. (68803): Micha Pobanz, an incoming freshman majoring in agriculture, is a 2016 homeschool graduate of Pobanz Christian Academy.

Great Bend (67530): Kaylan Lagerman, an incoming freshman majoring in psychology, is a 2016 graduate of Great Bend High School.

Hays (67601): Amele Hounakey-Akakpo, a sophomore majoring in accounting, is a 2013 graduate of Institut Technique Notre Dame de l'Eglise, Lome, Togo.

Monica Michaud, a sophomore majoring in information systems engineering, is a 2014 graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School.

Jared Vitztum, an incoming freshman majoring in business finance, is a 2016 graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School.

Morgan Weber, an incoming freshman majoring in speech-language pathology, is a 2016 graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School.

Imperial, Neb. (69033): Michael Musgrove, an incoming freshman majoring in physics, is a 2016 graduate of Chase County High School.

Junction City (66441): Hannah Hanson, an incoming freshman majoring in political science, is a 2016 graduate of Junction City High School.

Lebanon (66952): Jacob Long, an incoming freshman majoring in history education, is a 2016 graduate of Smith Center High School.

Minneapolis (67467): Juan DeLaCruz-Martinez, a freshman majoring in applied technology, is a 2015 graduate of Minneapolis High School.

Ravenna, Neb. (68869): Holly Dethlefs, an incoming freshman majoring in education, is a 2016 graduate of Ravenna High School.

Salina (67401): Shaelin Sweet, a sophomore majoring in English and secondary education, is a 2014 graduate of Salina High School South.

Topeka (66610): Darby Hirsch, an incoming freshman majoring in nursing, is a 2016 graduate of Washburn Rural High School.

Topeka (66605): Morgan Mitchiner, an incoming freshman majoring in biology (pre-med) is a 2016 graduate of Shawnee Heights High School and the Kansas Academy of Math and Science.

Topeka (66614): Justin Montney, a sophomore majoring in exercise science, is a 2014 graduate of Washburn Rural High School.

Wichita (67206): Nathaniel Hunt, an incoming freshman majoring in business, is a 2016 graduate of Kapaun Mount Carmel High School.

Wichita (67207): Kaytee Wisely, an incoming freshman majoring in political science, is a 2016 graduate of Wichita Southeast High School.

Wray, Colo. (80758): Paulyna Alcorn, a sophomore majoring in biology and chemistry, is a 2015 graduate of Wray High School.