Colorado State University Names 2010-2011 Monfort Scholars

Colorado State University has awarded three incoming freshmen full scholarships funded by the Monfort Scholars program, which furnishes annual scholarships for exceptional Colorado students.

The recipients are Ryne Schroder of Campo, Madeleine Wilbur of Colorado Springs and Kevin Westhoff of Colorado Springs.

"We are grateful to the Monfort family for their continued support of these bright students who will excel at Colorado State University," said Robin Brown, vice president for Enrollment and Access.

The Monfort Scholars program, established by the late Kenny Monfort and his wife Myra in 1999, recognizes superior scholastic ability, leadership, service to community and school and outstanding character. Monfort Scholars receive funds for tuition and fees, a room and board stipend and a book allowance for four years if they maintain academic standards.

More about the students:

Ryne Schroder is a graduate of Vilas School in Vilas. He will major in civil and environmental engineering. He is interested in serving his community through the intersection of engineering and agriculture and plans to return to southeastern Colorado upon graduation at CSU.

Schroder was active in Baca County 4-H and FFA at the local and district levels, serving as president, among other roles. He played football, basketball and baseball, and he was a member of the Lamar All-Star Baseball Team.

Madeleine Wilbur is a graduate of Colorado Springs Christian School. She plans to major in art with the career goal of working in photography and design.

Wilbur was valedictorian, yearbook editor-in-chief, co-chair of the Student Senate Community Service Committee, and vice president of National Honor Society. She founded ACTS (A Call to Service), a student philanthropy organization, to replace the now defunct El Pomar Youth in Community Service program. Wilbur has participated in a service trip to Haiti and helped coordinate a renovation project for the high school commons.

Kevin Westhoff is a graduate from Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Westhoff served four years on student council and was the 2009-2010 student body president. He volunteered with the Serteen Club, serving as president during his senior year. He ran varsity cross country and played varsity baseball. While earning his Eagle Scout rank, Westhoff organized and supervised 18 volunteers to renovate six cages for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s black-footed ferret endangered species program.

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