Wichita State University has awarded the 2008-2009 William G. McGowan Scholarship to Stephen Mariga, a graduate student in WSU's W. Frank Barton School of Business.

Award value for the scholarship is the general cost for the senior year of undergraduate studies or one year of graduate work. The scholarship provided for the 2008-2009 academic year will cover WSU's actual tuition cost or $18,000, whichever is less.

Scholars are selected based on academic performance, a grade point average of 3.0, financial need and submitted essays. Attributes such as scholarship, talent, leadership qualities, character and community involvement are also considered.

The applicant must be a full-time student, currently enrolled as a business major. The student must also be recommended by a faculty member of the business school, with final decisions made by the dean of the business school.

Mariga has a bachelor's degree in economics and accounting and is working toward a master's degree in business administration. On campus, he has worked as a peer tutor and a graduate staff assistant in the Office of Multicultural Affairs. He has instructed at the Kenya College of Accounting and the Thika Institute of Technology, as well as Maryhill High School in Nairobi, Kenya.

The William G. McGowan Scholars program, funded by William G. McGowan, co-founder of MCI Communications Corporation, recognizes academic success and distinction of students pursuing a major in an accredited business school. It was created to encourage leadership, interpersonal skills and academic, campus and community involvement.