The George Van Riper Fellowship is an endowed fellowship established in 1997 to honor the contributions made to the field of public finance by the late George Van Riper, a graduate of the Master of Public Administration degree program at Wichita State University and practitioner in public finance.  Fellowships are awarded to outstanding students seeking the Master of Public Administration degree and emphasizing public finance.

Guidelines

1. Applicants must be graduate students in full standing in the Master of Public Administration program at Wichita State University and are expected to complete the Graduate Certificate in Public Finance as part of their graduate program.  Applicants must also enroll in a minimum of six graduate credit hours each semester during the academic year for which they are applying.
   
2. Two fellowships are expected to be awarded annually:  one to a first-year student; one to a second-year student.  The fellowship stipend will be equally divided between the fall and spring semesters.  An average academic year fellowship award totals $2,000.
   
3. Selection is based on undergraduate record, demonstrated leadership abilities, and potential for success in the field of public finance.  Selection will be made without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, or national origin.
   
4. Recipients will be selected by the Director of the Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs, Wichita State University, in consultation with the Director of the Kansas Public Finance Center where the fellowships reside.
   
5. Applications are due April 1 in the Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs to be considered for the following academic year.  Application materials include:  a completed application, a cover letter outlining the applicant’s interest in the fellowship award and career interests in public finance, a résumé, and three letters of recommendation.  These materials should be sent directly to:  Dr. H. Edward Flentje, Director, Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs,  Wichita State University, 1845 N. Fairmount, Wichita, Kansas  67260-0155.   For additional information, call  (316) 978-7240.