2026 cohort of University Scholars announced
LAWRENCE — The 45th class of University Scholars and their faculty mentors were recognized during a reception hosted by the University of Kansas Honors Program on Feb. 10.
Attendees celebrated with refreshments at the Kansas Union and heard remarks from University Honors Program director Sarah Crawford-Parker, who shared sentiments from previous scholars while reflecting on the program and the opportunities it presents this year's cohort.
Since 1982, the University Scholars Program has recognized and encouraged sophomores who demonstrate intellectual achievement and curiosity. Selected students receive a scholarship, are assigned a faculty mentor to support their academic endeavors and engage with a topic of contemporary interest as part of an interdisciplinary seminar course.
This spring’s seminar, “The Ancients: Human Origins, Evolution, and How We Became Who We Are,” is taught by Jennifer Raff, KU associate professor of anthropology. Per its description, the multidisciplinary course sees students analyzing texts and artifacts “to learn how understandings of human origins have changed over time, often in response to political and cultural pressures as well as scientific evidence.”
The 2026 University Scholars are listed below alphabetically with major, hometown and faculty mentor:
Claire Ain, sophomore in economics and political science from Overland Park, mentored by Jennifer Harrison, associate teaching professor of business.
Morgan Ayres, sophomore in political science and sociology from Wildwood, Missouri, mentored by Melinda Lewis, professor of the practice, School of Social Welfare.
Aadhya Bhatia, sophomore in chemistry from Overland Park, mentored by Yvonnes Chen, professor of journalism & mass communications.
Helinna Bontrager, sophomore in behavioral neuroscience and chemistry from Manhattan, mentored by Thom Allen, honors program associate director and assistant professor of the practice in urban planning.
Kaitlyn Carson, sophomore in global & international studies and political science from Altamont, mentored by Elizabeth MacGonagle, associate professor of history and African & African-American studies.
Eli Cochrane, sophomore in political science and psychology from Canyon, Texas, mentored by Tracey LaPierre, director of undergraduate studies and associate professor of sociology.
Meredith Cole, sophomore in biology from Blue Springs, Missouri, mentored by David Slusky, professor of economics.
Owen Dalton, sophomore in microbiology from Wellsville, mentored by Ray Mizamura-Pence, teaching professor of American studies.
Allina Dougherty, sophomore in architecture studies from Manhattan, mentored by Paul Scott, professor of French.
Audrey Glynn, sophomore in French & Francophone studies and the history of art from Tonganoxie, mentored by Whitney Baker, librarian and head of conservation services, Kenneth Spencer Research Library.
Carter Gray, sophomore in applied computing from Olathe, mentored by Christopher Beard, Distinguished Foundation Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.
Ava Levin, sophomore in English and political science from Leawood, mentored by Elizabeth MacGonagle, associate professor of history and African & African-American studies.
Hudson Marmon, sophomore in English and secondary English education from Olathe, mentored by Brad Osborn, professor of music theory.
Kennedy May, sophomore in biology from De Pere, Wisconsin, mentored by Sarah Crawford-Parker, honors program director and associate teaching professor of museum studies.
Gracie Oppeau, sophomore in chemical engineering from Spring Hill, mentored by Melinda Lewis, professor of the practice, School of Social Welfare.
Marina Profeti, sophomore in philosophy from Lawrence, mentored by Anne Kretsinger-Harries, assistant specialist, Department of Communication Studies.
Youngha Rissler, sophomore in global & international studies and political science from Springfield, Missouri, mentored by Megan Kaminski, professor of environmental studies.
Taea Schiefelbein, sophomore in chemistry from Wausau, Wisconsin, mentored by Megan Kaminski, professor of environmental studies.
Pruthviraj Sadhankar, sophomore in computer science from Overland Park, mentored by Najarian Peters, associate professor of law.
Jack Sartorius, sophomore in digital marketing communications, advertising & public relations and political science from Lawrence, mentored by RB Perelmutter, professor of Slavic, German & Eurasian studies and director of Jewish studies.
Zander Semrau, sophomore in German studies, global & international studies and visual art from Olathe, mentored by RB Perelmutter, professor of Slavic, German & Eurasian studies and director of Jewish studies.
Created to recognize and encourage academically talented and motivated sophomores, the University Scholars Program was founded under the leadership of retired U.S. 10th Circuit Chief Judge Deanell Tacha, then KU’s vice chancellor for academic affairs, along with longtime University Honors Program director Francis Heller, the Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor of Law and Political Science.