Month: May 2018

Wyandotte County students graduate from KU

More than 100 Wyandotte County students who were candidates for degrees from the University of Kansas have been announced.

Commencement ceremonies were Sunday, May 13, at KU for more than 5,000 students from 90 Kansas counties, 46 other states, territories and Washington, D.C., as well as from 48 other countries.

The degree candidates from Wyandotte County included:

Taylor Michele Miller, Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology
Kyle W. Boone, Bonner Springs, Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering
Jessica Lynn Burns, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Jacob Hendsbee Carter, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Business in Marketing
Shelby Christine Covey, Bonner Springs, Wyandotte Master of Social Work
Jairo Diaz, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training
Travis Dean Dooley, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Business in Marketing
Mary A. Gomer, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of General Studies in Political Science
Anna Louise Heimes Dillon, Bonner Springs, Doctor of Medicine
Daniel Joel Hilliard, Bonner Springs, Juris Doctor
Spencer Kelly Himpel, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Kayla Renee Horn, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Education
Jennifer Lynnette McConico, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Social Work
Deion McQuarters, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
Jody Ann Moeschler, Bonner Springs, Master of Science in Education
Tessa R. Newberry, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
Bailey Kay Pepperdine, Bonner Springs, Doctor of Audiology
Sara Elizabeth Rehm, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies
Rebecca Caroline Sapp, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology
Mariah Ashley Seifert, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
Chad Michael Uhl, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Arts in Classical Languages and Bachelor of Arts in Classical Antiquity
Weston Michael Vitt, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of General Studies in Film and Media Studies
Breonna Noel Yungeberg, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of General Studies in Communication Studies
Samantha Joyce, Edwardsville, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Justin Moulin, Edwardsville, Master of Health Services Administration
Dennis A. Ortiz, Edwardsville, Master of Business Administration
Sierra Caitlin Seacat, Edwardsville, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Computing and Bachelor of Science in Physics
Michaela Jennifer Slaughter, Edwardsville, Doctor of Pharmacy
Juan Alferez, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in English
Brian Kent Allred, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Musical Arts
Duaa Akram Alwawi, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Philosophy in Therapeutic Science
Brandon D. Apperson, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Political Science
Tamara Lynne Arndt, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
Paola E. Avila-Franco, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science
Ibrahima Bah, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Supply Chain Management
Rhajae Battles, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Film and Media Studies
Allison Hart Beito, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Katina Lachelle Bilberry, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Music
Victoria A. Bogner, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science
Mackenzie Jo Brandt, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in French, Francophone and Italian Studies and Bachelor of Science in Education
Melissa Kae Burrow, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
Cameron Byers, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Information System
Gabriela Judith Cano, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Education
Andrew Joseph Carver, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Business and Organizational Leadership
Tessa Caitlin Cattermole, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Diana Marie Chaney, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Tawana Marie Coates, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Tristan Milam Coker, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Christine Marie Collins, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
Collin J. Cook, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Shannon Irene Daze, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Accounting
Andres De Avila, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
James Dinkel, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Brian Duane Doel, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
Denae Lashaun Douglas, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Kaylee Yvonne Edwards, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
Natalie A. Eisenach, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Clinical Research
Kristen Leigh Farnet, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies
Michelle Ferguson, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Alex Flores, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Daniela Garcia, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science
John Phillip Garcia, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
Ethan Thomas Garrigan, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Timothy P. Gengler, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
Ebony Carletta Germany, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Joshua Sean Gillihan-Young, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Social Work
Carly Ann Gunnels, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Accounting
Junelhy Gutierrez-Garcia, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Social Work
Matthew Allan Hall, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Jennifer R. Helfenberger, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Health Services Administration
Marc Joseph Heronemus, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Paige Lanae Hooker, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
Tamara Joann Horne, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Education
Ann Elizabeth Hutchison, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Ala’a Fayez Jaber, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Philosophy in Therapeutic Science
Carolina Jimenez-Garcia, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Accounting
Andrea Danielle Johnson, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Social Work
Jarius O’Neil Jones, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy
Jena Leigh Klaas, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology
Michelle E. Kovac, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
Geoffrey A. Kump, Kansas City, Kansas, Juris Doctor
Kathleen Marie Kump, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Nursing Practice
Chacy Lancaster, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Tac Lau, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Rachel Paige Lauritzen, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Education
Dominique LeBeau, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Brianna Marie Leiker, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Civil Engineering
Madelin Vanessa Lemus-Espinoza, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Bachelor of Arts in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Quinthea Nichole Lewis-Gray, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
Paul James Lindstrom, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Public Administration
Cameron Long, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Marketing and Bachelor of Science in Business in Management and Leadership
Norma Alicia Lopez-Cardona, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Jessica Pearl Lyon, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology
Anissa Elena Martinez, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Education
Shelby Lynne Mata, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Tara Michelle McCoy, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies
Kimberly Mikulan, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training
Khalil D Milligan, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Communication Studies
Anthony Michael Moran, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Aaron Michael Morris, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Melissa Louise Mulich, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Pharmacy
Daniel R. Murga, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Emma Murrugarra, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Jasmyne B. Neely, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in African and African-American Studies
Truc T. Nguyen, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
Oscar Orozco, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
Carlos Pacheco III, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Lannette L. Peoples, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Applied Behavioral Science
Simeon Andre Perkins, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
Delores LeeHannah Pitchlyn, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Alyssa Pruden, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Julio C. Ramirez, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Adriana Rodriguez, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Zakk Sebastian Roy, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Derion De’Nay Rusley, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
John James Russell, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Morgan Lynn Samuels, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Occupational Therapy
Lauren Alexis Schuessler, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
David J. Seeman, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Finance
Gordon C. Sheldon, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Marketing
Elizabeth R. Shelly, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Rachael Corine Snider, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Public Administration
Jonathan Diego Soto, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
William Straub Spengler, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Erica Denise Stewart, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Tamra M. Stinnett, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Caitlin Elizabeth Teters Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Music Education in Music Education
Susan Lousie Tribble, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
Olivia N. Vaca, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience
David Valdiviezo, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Urban Planning
Melinda Vongphrachanh, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Pharmacy
Ryan M. Wall, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Sydney Ayana Webb, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
Steven Michael Wohlforth, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Social Work
Vernon Lee Woodard III, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology
Michelle Xiong, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Universities in Kansas asking for higher tuition despite state funding boost

by Stephen Koranda, Kansas News Service

Public universities in Kansas are proposing tuition hikes significantly lower than some of the larger increases seen in recent years. The schools presented the plans to the Kansas Board of Regents this week.

The increases in tuition and fees for in-state, undergraduate students range from 1.2 percent at Kansas State University to 3 percent at the University of Kansas.

Those numbers are smaller than some past increases. Over the last decade, annual tuition hikes have sometimes run as high as 9 percent.

“In recent years, the universities sustained reductions to their State General Fund appropriations,” a summary from the Board of Regents said. “Tuition increases, although not intended to make up for those reductions, have clearly served to mitigate the financial dilemma created by the budget cuts.”

Higher education in Kansas had to absorb a $30 million cut in 2016 put in place by then-Gov. Sam Brownback to help balance the state budget.

Lawmakers changed course on taxes last year by reversing many of the state’s 2012 tax cuts. They’ve also been restoring some of the higher education spending reductions.

After adding $15 million in higher education funding this year, lawmakers have now restored around $24 million of the $30 million cut.

In its explanation to the board, K-State said the funding increases over the last two years helped limit the tuition hike.

“This is the smallest tuition increase the university has requested since before 1989,” the explanation for K-State said.

If the increases are approved, the cost of in-state tuition and fees for a 15-credit-hour semester would range from $5,573.95 at KU and $5,191.50 at K-State down to $3,379.08 at Emporia State University.

The tuition increase at KU is slightly more than requested last year, even with the increase in state funding. KU spokeswoman Erinn Barcomb-Peterson said the increase is necessary to keep up with rising costs for employee health care and facilities.

“The proposed rate hikes won’t even cover all of that,” she said. “What we’re really looking at is a rapid increase in fixed costs.”

KU’s proposal does not include raises for workers.

Barcomb-Peterson said part of the facility cost is bringing online a new science building that will offer additional educational and research opportunities.

“It’s always about balancing affordability and quality,” Barcomb-Peterson said. “We want a KU education to be affordable for our students and families, but we also need to provide the level of education that people are going to expect from a research university like KU.”

In its summary, the Board of Regents said even after the funding boost, total state support will be $72 million below where it was in 2009.

To view charts with information about tuition increases, visit http://kcur.org/post/universities-kansas-asking-higher-tuition-despite-state-funding-boost.

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio, a partner in the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @kprkoranda. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to the original post.
See more at http://kcur.org/post/universities-kansas-asking-higher-tuition-despite-state-funding-boost.