Architecture student Christian Hunn selected as a 2020 KU Global Scholar

LAWRENCE — The Global Scholars Program has selected 15 University of Kansas sophomores as 2020 Global Scholars. 

Representing diverse academic fields from across campus, the 15 students were selected for their demonstrated interest in global and international studies and potential for high academic achievement and leadership. 

In the spring semester, the group will participate in a three-hour weekly seminar, “Mobility, Borders, and Belonging,” taught by Andrew Denning, associate professor of history. As part of the Global Scholars Program, each student will work with a faculty mentor with similar interests on an internationally focused research project. The scholars will present the results of that research at the Global Scholars Symposium during the spring semester of their senior year. 

In its ninth year, the Global Scholars program is coordinated by Megan Greene, director of faculty programs for International Affairs, and aims to recognize and encourage undergraduate students who have an interest in global studies and a strong academic record. 

“The interview committee was extremely impressed by this year’s applicant pool,” Greene said, “and I am excited to get the chance to work with this group of excellent students as they work their way through the Global Scholars Program.” 

The 2020 Global Scholars: 

Guled Abdi, from Shawnee, is majoring in microbiology. Abdi's parent is Zahur Jama. 

Katherine Burton, from Manhattan, is majoring in anthropology and global & international studies. Burton's parents are Carl and Rebecca Burton. 

Jaleah Cullors, from Overland Park, is majoring in political science and minoring in Spanish and global & international studies. Cullors' parents are Joyslyn Fears and RL Cullors. 

Nicole Dolan, from Overland Park, is majoring in news & information and minoring in music. Dolan's parents are David and Sri FitzGerald. 

Darene Essa, from Overland Park, is majoring in mechanical engineering. Essa's parents are Amani and Zeyad Essa. 

Christian Hunn, from Lake St. Louis, Missouri, is majoring in architecture and minoring in global & international studies. Hunn's parents are Chuck and Diane Hunn. 

Lawson Lam, from Wichita, is majoring in biochemistry. Lam's parents are Cuc Ho and Ba Minh Lam. 

Quinn Leyda, from Topeka, is majoring in anthropology, Latin American & Caribbean studies and Spanish and minoring in Brazilian studies. Leyda's parents are Kirt and Shawna Leyda. 

Alexis Rawlings, from Topeka, is majoring in Spanish, global & international studies and English. Rawlings' parents are Shari Simmons and Anthony Rawlings. 

Fernanda Reyes, from Wichita, is majoring in human biology and cultural anthropology and minoring in Latin American studies. Reyes' parent is Elvia De Loera. 

Kade Schoenfeldt, from Topeka, is majoring in molecular, cellular & developmental biology. Schoenfeldt's parents are Derek and Deneen Schoenfeldt. 

Monnawat (Modem) Tongkaw, from Songkhla, Thailand, is majoring in electrical engineering. Tongkaw's parents are Aumnat and Sasalak Tongkaw. 

Phuong Truong, from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, is majoring in supply chain management. Truong's parents are Hue B. T Le and Thanh H. Truong. 

Chloe VanBecelaere, from Pittsburg, is majoring in Spanish and global & international studies and minoring in visual art. VanBecelaere's parents are Diane VanBecelaere and the late Scott VanBecelaere. 

Jared Wright, from Fort Collins, Colorado, is majoring in philosophy and physics. Wright's parents are Lance and Diane Wright. 

In addition to the seminar and research components, the program aims to provide every scholar with a scholarship to study abroad. To learn more about the program, meet current and former Global Scholars, and support scholarships for future scholars, go to launchku.org/globalscholars. 

The scholarship campaign kicked off Nov. 25.