KU announces new 2019-2023 Self Graduate Fellows


LAWRENCE – Thirteen doctoral students have been selected to receive the University of Kansas’ prestigious Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship for the 2019-2020 academic year. 2019 marks the 30th anniversary for the fellowship. This incoming group of fellows is among 200 students who have benefited from the fellowship since it was established in 1989.

The Self Graduate Fellowship is a four-year package awarded to incoming or first-year doctoral students who demonstrate leadership, initiative, and passion for achievement. The fellowship covers full tuition and fees, provides graduate research assistant support of $30,500 per year, a $5,500 professional development award, and it includes a unique professional development program. The Fellow Development Program provides general education and training in communication, management, innovation, and leadership to assist Self Graduate Fellows in preparation for future leadership roles. The role of the development program is to complement the specialized education and training provided in doctoral programs. The total value of the four-year doctoral fellowship exceeds $175,000.

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

The late Madison “Al” and Lila Self 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 2019-2023:

  • Timothy Burnette of Bedford, Virginia; expected bachelor’s degree (2019) in biology from Grinnell College; incoming doctoral student in ecology & evolutionary biology
  • Kathryn Childers of Northville, Michigan; expected bachelor’s degree (2019) in biomedical engineering, physics minor from Bucknell University; incoming doctoral student in bioengineering
  • Travis Edwards of Athens, Texas; bachelor’s degree in economics, English and mathematics minor from the University of Texas at Tyler; incoming doctoral student in economics
  • Jenna Frick of Kansas City, Kansas; bachelor’s degree in chemistry and secondary education certification from Washburn University; first-year doctoral student in the interdisciplinary graduate program in biomedical sciences, KU Medical Center
  • Jordan Gamble of Springfield, Missouri; expected bachelor’s degree (2019) in mechanical engineering, applied international studies minor from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; incoming doctoral student in mechanical engineering
  • Eryn Gerber of Germantown, Maryland; bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from University of Delaware; first-year doctoral student in bioengineering
  • Dalton Hahn of Meriden; bachelor’s degree in computer science from Kansas State University; first-year masters/doctoral student in electrical engineering & computer science
  • Jacob Immel of Wooldridge, Missouri; bachelor’s degree in chemistry, mathematics minor from Southwest Baptist University; first-year doctoral student in medicinal chemistry
  • Shaun Kelsey of Parsons; bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from U.S. Military Academy, expected bachelor’s degree (2019) in chemistry from KU; incoming doctoral student in chemistry
  • Margaret Lazarovits of Santa Barbara, California; bachelor’s degree in physics, theater and performance studies minor from University of Chicago; first-year doctoral student in physics & astronomy
  • David Maldonado of Utuado, Puerto Rico; bachelor’s degree in chemistry from University of Texas of the Permian Basin; first-year doctoral student in chemistry
  • Kathleen Rust of San Antonio, Texas; bachelor’s degree in anthropology and German from University of Texas, Austin; master’s degree in anthropology from Hunter College; incoming doctoral student in ecology & evolutionary biology
  • Tristan Yount of Great Bend; bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from KU; expected master’s degree (2019) in civil engineering from KU; incoming doctoral student in civil, environmental & architectural engineering.

Thu, 04/25/2019

author

Christine Cain

Media Contacts

Christine Cain

Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship

785-864-7238