28 February 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A senior at Eisenhower High School in Goddard has won a significant scholarship to attend Wichita State University.
Annika Lindeman is one of the 2024 Professor Fran Jabara Scholars in Entrepreneurship. The other winner is Abby Rexford from Wilmore, Kentucky.
The W. Frank Barton School of Business at WSU says the two winners will each receive more than $32,700 spread over four years to attend WSU and major in entrepreneurship.
“The Barton School’s commitment to entrepreneurship goes beyond just lessons in the classroom,” Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business, said in a news release. “These scholarships are a testament to remaining one of the premier institutions for entrepreneurship in the country. I’m excited to welcome Annika and Abby to the Barton family.”
The Jabara Scholarship is one of the largest nationally for future entrepreneurs. It requires students to write an essay, score at least a 24 on their ACT, have a 3.5 high school GPA, and declare entrepreneurship as their major.
Lindeman is involved in numerous dance-related activities, including assistant teaching. She eventually wants to own a dance studio.
“Having this scholarship will relieve a lot of the financial stress associated with college, helping me have a much more enjoyable college experience and allowing me to save money for my studio,” she said.
Rexford is a senior at West Jessamine High School in Kentucky but looks forward to being in Wichita.
“Wichita is an entrepreneurship town,” Rexford said. “The Barton School of Business offers an excellent foundation for the business world and applicable life experiences. I desire to open my own design company. Whether an interior or clothing design company, I love the hands-on aspect of design.”
The scholarship is named after the late Fran Jabara, who was a WSU faculty member for 40 years and founded the Center for Entrepreneurship at WSU.