by MARCIA HORNUNG
K-State College of Business
MANHATTAN — Thirty-three rising high school students from five states participated in the Kansas State University College of Business' inaugural Summer Institute, June 8-10, to learn about the role of business in society and majors and options offered by the college.
The students, in grades 10-12, also applied what they learned in an entrepreneurial pitch challenge, competing for K-State scholarships. Members of the first-place winning team each earned a $1,000 scholarship, while second-place team members earned $750 scholarships and third-place team members earned $500 scholarships.
The institute featured faculty and staff representatives from across the college and was supported by the college's Center for Principled Business.
"This new summer institute was designed to serve as a springboard to give high school students a real college experience that helps foster a sense of independence, self-awareness and confidence as they look to select a university and a major," said Kevin Gwinner, Edgerley family dean of the college. "This taste of college life introduces them to the advantages of a business degree and inspires them to explore their full potential for success."
Participants experienced on-campus living and dining during their time at K-State and also interacted with several local business owners. Thanks to donors, including lead corporate partner Koch Industries, all educational, food and boarding costs were provided at no charge to the participants.
Student scholarship winners included:
Blake Bainum, Andover, honorable mention; Keegan Mispagel, Atchison, honorable mention; Abigail Harper, Auburn, $750 scholarship; Adriana Kiefer, Basehor, honorable mention; Karma Gonzalez, Bonner Springs, honorable mention.
From Greater Kansas City: Iman Brown, Cameron Campbell, DaQuon Cheadle and Lizbeth Flores Delmora, all from Kansas City and all honorable mention; Emma Rose Ritter, Leawood, honorable mention; Jackson Stewart, Lenexa, $1,000 scholarship; and George Giem, $1,000 scholarship, Jenya Jithesh, $500 scholarship, and Lexington Jones, $750 scholarship, all from Overland Park.
Owen Thompson, Lawrence, honorable mention.
From Manhattan: Siye Armstrong, $500 scholarship; Griffin Gergeni, honorable mention; Kamryn Gillispie, honorable mention; Meghan Krebs, $1,000 scholarship; Miles Price, $750 scholarship; and Zak Thompson, $500 scholarship.
Alexis Rutherford, Topeka, honorable mention; and Claire Waner, Wichita, honorable mention.
From out of state: Briana Hernandez, Berryville, Arkansas, honorable mention; Noah Hernandez, Springdale, Arkansas, $750 scholarship; Ethan Kirkham, Chesterton, Indiana, honorable mention; Madison Garrison, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, $500 scholarship; Zabeth Bolte, Ashland, Missouri, honorable mention; Michael Saluzzi, Kansas City, Missouri, honorable mention; Sofi Armfield, Marionville, Missouri, $1,000 scholarship; Charlie Lewis, St. Louis, Missouri, $500 scholarship; Noah Pagel, Grand Island,Nebraska, $750 scholarship; and Faith Glinsman, Lincoln, Nebraska, honorable mention.
Visit the program’s webpage at cba.k-state.edu/success/new-students/summer-programs to see photos and learn more about this year’s institute. Registration for the 2023 summer institute will open in early spring 2023.