Maria Voelker wins Ritchie Scholarship
First female student to receive scholarship
Maria Voelker of Florence is an engineering student at the University of Kansas where she has been presented the prestigious Ritchie Scholarship.
A news release stated, "Maria likes building things, and she's about to get some support through the Ritchie Companies and National Asphalt Paving foundation scholarship."
She is the first female student to be presented the award founded eight years ago.
A civil engineering student, she was hand selected by the faculty (students do not apply) to receive the award which will pay $3,000. She plans to continue her studies at KU after graduating and pursue a doctorate. She eventually wants to become a professor.
"Scholastic achievement has always been important to me," Voelker said. "One of my teachers at Marion High School steered me toward engineering and helped me see the possibilities it offers."
She said she hopes to become that kind of influence on students.
"This scholarship will help me give back to my community through a career that makes a difference," she said.
