Washburn University Will Host Annual Shawnee County Honors Scholar Reception Oct. 6

Topeka, Kan. - Washburn University will shine a spotlight on high-achieving high school students in Shawnee County at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6, with the Shawnee County Honors Scholar Reception in White Concert Hall on the Washburn University campus. The ceremony honors the top 10 percent of high school seniors from across the county.

Families, students and school leaders will be on hand as each student is called to the stage to receive a medal and certificate. Washburn's Interim Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, Steve Luoma, will open the program, followed by remarks from Washburn College of Arts & Sciences Dean Kelly Erby.

"At Washburn University, we have a personal stake in the success of each Shawnee County student," said Luoma. "We want to do everything we can to help students thrive in the classroom and beyond, and part of that is recognizing when they succeed. We are always looking for ways to provide more support, encouragement and opportunities for our local students."

Beyond the awards, Washburn also offers several ways to make college costs more manageable for Shawnee County students, including:

• The Shawnee County Promise, which provides a tuition-free path to a degree for qualifying students
• The Shawnee County Thrives Scholarship, a renewable $1,000 award for local high school graduates with at least a 2.0 GPA
• GPA-based academic scholarships that are automatically awarded upon acceptance to Washburn (applying is free)
• Direct assistance with filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opened Oct. 1
• Free parking, bus rides, gym access, and admission to athletic and campus events
• No housing deposit for on-campus residential living and no hidden university fees

Luoma said Washburn is proud to celebrate these students' achievements while also providing the resources to make their college education worth the investment of time and money. To learn more about the Shawnee County Promise, Thrives and other scholarships available to local students, visit Washburn.edu/scholarships.

Washburn has hosted the ceremony each fall since 2021 as a way to honor the county's top students and encourage them to remain in Shawnee County as they pursue their academic and professional goals.

For further information, contact:

Joy BailesDirector of Internal Communications and Brand ManagementTelephone: (785) 670-2153Cell: (785) 230-1648Email: [email protected]