Raikes School announces fall entering class

The Esther L. Kauffman Academic Residential Center is the living and learning environment of the Jeffrey S. Raikes School.

Thirty-three high-achieving 2014 high school graduates have been accepted into the highly competitive Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at UNL for fall 2014.

The Raikes School develops leaders for this era of expanding information technology and business globalization. Students live and learn in the Esther L. Kauffman Academic Residential Center at the heart of the UNL campus. Students are selected for this innovative program based on high academic achievement, outstanding leadership experience, demonstrated interest in computer science and business, and career goals. Students receive scholarships in value toward housing in the Kauffman Center. Most receive other tuition scholarships available at the university for high-achieving scholars. The value of the scholarships ranges from $19,000 to $37,000 per student. Raikes School students are admitted to the University Honors Program.

The 2014 entering class includes seven National Merit scholars and six high school valedictorians. The average composite ACT for this year’s class is 33.5.

The school is named for Jeffrey S. Raikes, who retired last month as chief executive officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, based in Seattle. A Nebraska native, Raikes previously was president of Microsoft Corp.’s Business Division, retiring in 2008 after 27 years with the company.

The program is a recognized leader in interdisciplinary computer science and business management education. It provides an education balanced in technology and management while developing professional skills in leadership, innovation, communications and collaboration. Graduates, who are among the most highly sought-after in the field, create innovative technologies for business, manage technical development, lead and manage technologists, manage with technology-based processes, understand technology market opportunities, understand the strategic uses of technology, and bridge the gap between technology and business perspectives.

A list by hometown of accepted students and their intended academic majors follows. The name of the student’s high school is included in parentheses.

NEBRASKA

Lincoln — Tara Brookhouser (Southwest), computer engineering; David Cao (Pius X), computer engineering; Erica Dolph (Pius X), biological systems engineering; Adam Fitzgibbon (Southeast), computer engineering; Kevin Jia (East), biological systems engineering; Elliot Sandfort (East), mechanical engineering.

Nebraska City — Matt Martin (Lourdes), computer engineering.

North Bend — Andrew Minarick (North Bend Central), biological systems engineering.

Omaha — Brooke Adams (Elkhorn South), actuarial science; Jozzy Carter (Marian), mechanical engineering; Grant Fishburn (Central), computer engineering; Aryn Huck (Central), computer science; Casey Seline (Westside), computer science; Justin Sleep (Millard North), computer science; Maggie Witzenburg (Marian), computer engineering.

Ralston — Matt Kachek (Ralston), computer engineering.

Sidney — Kelsey Franklin (Sidney), computer science.

Waterloo — Jacob Melcher (Elkhorn South), computer science.

ELSEWHERE

Ada, Mich. — Mary Candela (Forest Hills Central), business administration.

Astana, Kazakhstan — Abheemanyu Subramani (International School of Astana), computer engineering.

Carroll, Iowa — Daric Teske (Carroll Community), computer science.

Lakewood, Colo. — Jackson Mediavilla (D’Evelyn), computer science.

Leawood, Kan. — Libby Gentry (Bishop Miege), actuarial science; Melanie Powell (Shawnee Mission South), computer science.

Luoyang, China — Zitong Li (International High School), computer science.

Olathe, Kan. — Dane Stapleton (Olathe East), computer science.

Overland Park, Kan. — Bridget Bailey (International High School), computer science; Matthew Bauer (Shawnee Mission South), computer science.