University announces 2024 Truman scholarship nominees

LAWRENCE — Three outstanding University Honors students have been selected as the University of Kansas nominees for Harry S. Truman Scholarships.

The prestigious national awards, which provide up to $30,000 for graduate study, are given to college juniors for leadership in public service. They are highly competitive, with only about 60 Truman Scholars named nationwide each year.

This year’s KU nominees:  

• DaNae Estabine, a junior in psychology minoring in philosophy
• Grant Misse, a junior in environmental studies and music composition
• Emily Ward, a junior in anthropology and political science minoring in Spanish

Criteria for the nominations include an extensive record of campus and community service, commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit and advocacy sectors, communication skills and a high probability of becoming a "change agent," and a strong academic record with likely acceptance to the graduate school of the candidate’s choice.

The campus nomination process is coordinated by the Office of Fellowships, a unit of Academic Success. Students interested in applying for the Truman Scholarship in future years are encouraged to contact the office (fellowships@ku.edu), which can nominate a limited number of students each year. The next application cycle will begin in fall 2024.

Scholars receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government.

Since 1981, 20 KU students have become Truman Scholars. Samuel Steuart was the most recent KU student to receive the honor in 2019.

Congress established the Truman Scholarship Foundation in 1975 as the federal memorial to President Harry S. Truman. A national selection committee reviews applications from more than 800 nominees for the Truman Foundation. Approximately 200 students will be named finalists in late February and be invited to participate in regional interviews in March and early April. The scholarship recipients will be announced in late April.   

More information about KU’s nominees is below:   

DaNae Estabine

Estabine, from Olathe, is the daughter of Jean and Kristy Estabine and a graduate of Olathe East High School. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and minoring in philosophy with plans of earning a joint juris doctor/doctorate in psychology and becoming a prosecutor in the state of Kansas. Estabine was named a Multicultural Scholars Program scholar as a sophomore and was selected for KU's Legal Education Accelerated Degree (LEAD) program. Her freshman year she served as a senator in KU's Student Senate, held the government relations director position as a sophomore and currently is the student body vice president. In summer 2023, Estabine interned for U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, and she now interns in the Statehouse for Kansas State Rep. Barbara Ballard. Outside of KU, Estabine volunteers her time as the director of the Johnson County Fair Pie Contest, an Olathe Fishing Derby board member and a Lawrence Mothers of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) volunteer. Additionally, she is a substitute teacher in the Lawrence School District.

Grant Misse

Misse, from Gardner, is the son of Brett and Kourtney Misse and a graduate of Gardner-Edgerton High School. Misse is double majoring in environmental studies and music composition. He aspires to earn a master’s degree in public and nonprofit management and return to northeast Kansas to start a nonprofit and eventually influence policy related to sustainable agriculture and food systems at the government level. Currently, Misse works to promote environmental initiatives as the leadership/recruitment outreach lead for the Sunrise Movement and as the committee lead/founder of 2040 Vision KU. Additionally, he works at the Center for Community Outreach as the managing director. He continues to volunteer for the program Music Mentors, for which he previously served as a program coordinator, and is inspired by the nonprofit work he takes part in through this role. Misse is also the president of the New Music Guild and a member of the Glee Club.

Emily Ward

Ward, from Manhattan, is the daughter of Jeffrey and Michele Ward and a graduate of Manhattan High School. Ward is majoring in anthropology and political science and minoring in Spanish. She plans to pursue a doctorate in anthropology with a concentration in biological anthropology and become a forensic anthropologist. She currently works in the anthropological genomics lab under Jennifer Raff. In summer 2022, she interned at Riley County Historical Museum and has served as a volunteer for the Dia de los Muertos Festival, the Edinburg Filipino Festival and Haunting Humanities. Ward is a KU student ambassador, a University Scholar, the president of Honors Community Advocates and a Dole Center of Politics Student Advisory Board member. She also plays the cello in the KU Symphony orchestra.