Kansas Honor Scholars

The Kansas Honor Scholars Program has been a KU tradition since 1971 and has honored more than 140,000 high school seniors—from all 105 Kansas counties and approximately 360 high schools—for ranking academically in the top 10 percent of their class. It is designed to promote academic excellence in secondary education, to reward high school seniors for their hard work and dedication, and to support our Kansas communities.

The program is made possible by KU Endowment, alumni donations and proceeds from the Alumni Association’s Jayhawk license plate program, and allows the University and the Alumni Association to create more scholarship opportunities for students.

In 2019, the Alumni Association and KU’s Office of Admissions and Scholarships awarded $1,000 scholarships to Kansas Honor Scholars Tong Moua, of Kansas City; Elizabeth Winkleman, of Topeka; Zin Phyo, of Garden City; Sammy Wallace, of Liberal; and Cameron Roack, of Winfield. Also honored were Sheldon Perez, of Salina, and Aylin Lara, of Kansas City, who were named the latest recipients of the Herbert Rucker Woodward Memorial Scholarship, which for more than 20 years has awarded $1,000 renewable four-year scholarships to Kansas Honors Scholars.

Alumni and community members are welcome to contribute to the Kansas Honor Scholars Program.

Kansas Honor Scholars Ceremonies

Fourteen ceremonies will be held in Colby, Great Bend, Lawrence, Salina, Emporia, Hays, Manhattan, Topeka, Garden City, Hutchinson, Pittsburg, Wichita (2 ceremonies) and Kansas City. Scholars are encouraged to attend the ceremony that is most convenient.

Ceremonies will include speakers, recognition of the scholars, and a reception for scholars, families, school administrators and alumni. Scholars who attend a ceremony will receive a distinctive Kansas Honor Scholars medallion.

Local recognition

The Association will mail certificates to participating high schools for distribution to all Kansas Honor Scholars. School administrators can determine the best way to recognize their scholars at school events during the academic year.

Commemorative Program

A commemorative program is available online which may be printed for personal use. Click on the image of the cover to open a new browser window. You can download and print the program from this window.

Alumni

Jayhawk alumni and friends are welcome to attend the Kansas Honor Scholars ceremonies. You may also contribute to the Kansas Honor Scholars Program and/or a scholarship fund for Kansas Honor Scholars.

Questions

For questions about the Kansas Honor Scholars Program, contact Michelle Lang at 785.864.9769 or michellem@kualumni.org.