KU announces new 2016-2020 Self Graduate Fellows

LAWRENCE – Ten doctoral students have been selected to receive the University of Kansas’ prestigious Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship for the 2016-2017 academic year. They are among 170 students who have benefited from the fellowship since it was established.

Self Graduate Fellowships are four-year awards to new or first-year doctoral students who demonstrate leadership, initiative and a passion for achievement. The fellowship covers full tuition and fees, provides a $30,000 annual payment to new fellows and includes a unique development program. The Fellow Development Program provides general education and training in communication, management and leadership to assist Self Graduate Fellows in preparation for future leadership roles, complementing the specialized education and training provided in doctoral programs.

The fellowship’s mission is to identify and recruit exceptional doctoral students who demonstrate the promise to make significant contributions to their fields of student and society as a whole.

The late Madison “Al” and Lila Self of Hinsdale, Illinois, launched and permanently endowed the Self Graduate Fellowship in 1989, motivated by their strong belief in the vital importance of developing leadership for tomorrow. Madison Self was a 1943 KU graduate in chemical engineering. Lila Self grew up in Eudora and attended KU with the class of 1943.

The new Self Graduate Fellows for 2016-2020:

• Isaac Allred, of Centerville, Utah; bachelor’s degree in physics, geology minor and bachelor’s degree in Asian studies, Chinese minor from Utah State University; master’s degree in geology from Brigham Young University; incoming doctoral student in geology
• Bailey Banach, of Ames, Iowa; bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Iowa; incoming doctoral student in bioengineering
• Jonathan Griffin, of Frederick, Maryland; bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Widener University; first-year doctoral students in bioengineering
• Deserae Jennings, of Nevada, Iowa; bachelor’s degree in geological sciences and master’s degree in geological sciences from Iowa State University; first-year doctoral student in geology
• Ember Krech, of Edgewood, New Mexico; bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from New Mexico State University; first-year doctoral student in bioengineering
• David Menager, of Topeka; bachelor’s degree in computer science from KU; first-year doctoral student in electrical engineering & computer science
• Brittany Sanders, of Springfield, Missouri; bachelor’s degree in chemistry, physics minor and global studies minor from Drury University; first-year doctoral student in chemistry
• Matt Schaich, of Omaha, Nebraska; bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Nebraska Lincoln; first-year doctoral student in interdisciplinary graduate program in biomedical sciences, KU Medical Center
• Bailey Spickler, of Overland Park; bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from KU; first-year doctoral student in mechanical engineering
• Justin Williams, of Tallahassee, Florida; bachelor’s degree in physics and bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of West Florida, incoming doctoral student in physics & astronomy.