The Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) is pleased to announce the recipients of nine scholarships awarded by the Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation (KBEF), a 501(c)3 corporation created and operated by the KBA. Two scholarships were awarded to children of Kansas bankers, one scholarship was awarded to a student with a banker reference letter and six scholarships were awarded to students who are currently enrolled in one of two Kansas colleges/universities that offer banking-specific degrees and/or concentrations. Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation awarded a total of $12,000!
Children of Kansas Bankers Scholarships
Blaise Palen
Kansas State University
Mother: Barb Palen, Loan Assistant at Guaranty State Bank & Trust Company, Beloit
Blaise is majoring in accounting as a junior at K-State. He aspires to achieve a Master of Accountancy with a certificate in Data Analytics. Once he graduates, he plans to pursue a job in audit work and experience several different industries before beginning work as an independent accountant.
Carson Taylor
University of Kansas
Parents: Paula Taylor, Chairman and CEO, and Matt Taylor, SVP, of Denison State Bank, Holton
Carson is majoring in accounting as a senior at the University of Kansas. His goal is to earn a Master of Accountancy and eventually sit for the CPA exam. He plans to start his career in public accounting and audit work. Carson hopes to give back to his community by solving problems for small businesses and promoting ethical financial practices.
Banker Reference Scholarships
Nevaeh Brooks
Wichita State University
Banker Reference: Joselyn Campbell, Branch Manager at Capitol Federal Savings Bank, Wichita
Nevaeh will be a senior at WSU this fall and is majoring in marketing and management. She has worked as a teller at CapFed and recently had the opportunity to participate in an apprenticeship in the marketing department. Nevaeh’s long-term goal is to pursue a career that utilizes both her marketing and management studies, similar to a chief marketing officer at the bank.
College/University Banking Scholarships
Tucker Adams
Fort Hays State University — Robbins Banking Institute
Tucker Adams is a junior at FHSU with a 3.14 GPA, majoring in finance with a concentration in banking. He graduated from Goodland High School and also attended Fort Hays Tech Northwest and Colby Community College. Tucker started taking classes related to banking while in high school and has a passion for money and banking, which is leading him toward a career in banking.
Lawson Bailey
Fort Hays State University — Robbins Banking Institute
Lawson Bailey is a junior at FHSU with a 3.38 GPA, majoring in finance with a concentration in banking. He graduated from Scott Community High School and also attended Garden City Community College. During high school, Lawson started working at a local bank as part of a high school work-study program. He continues to work at the bank during summer and winter breaks. That experience confirmed for Lawson that he wanted to have a career in banking and hopes to work his way up to a CEO position one day.
Johnny Johnston
Fort Hays State University — Robbins Banking Institute
Johnny Johnston is a junior at FHSU with a 3.41 GPA, majoring in finance with a concentration in banking. He is from Hutchinson and graduated from Haven High School. He also graduated from Hutchinson Community College with an associate’s degree in accounting in May 2023. Johnny is involved in the Finance Club and the International Business and Economics Club at FHSU. He hopes to find an internship at a bank in the near future to set himself up for a career in banking. He is also very interested in investments and wants to help people save money for their retirement.
Alaina Kolbeck
Fort Hays State University — Robbins Banking Institute
Alaina Kolbeck is a junior at FHSU with a 3.76 GPA, majoring in finance with a concentration in banking. She graduated from Spearville High School and also attended Dodge City Community College. Alaina will be interning at her hometown bank this summer and hopes to play a role in the growth of her community. She wants to pursue a career in banking, either in her hometown or another small community, to make an impact on the local community through her role at the bank.
Nathaneal Jones
Byron G. Thompson Center for Integrity in Finance and Economics, Benedictine College
Nathaneal Jones grew up in Tonganoxie and is pursuing a major in finance from Benedictine College. Two of his older brothers are bankers, who, along with his parents, taught him the importance of saving money and planning for the future. After college, he hopes to get his MBA and work in risk and/or wealth management. He is grateful and privileged to be recognized with this award from the Kansas Bankers Association.
Gabriel Jones
Byron G. Thompson Center for Integrity in Finance and Economics, Benedictine College
Gabriel Jones is from Tonganoxie and is pursuing degrees in management and finance. He plans on graduating from Benedictine College in May of 2026. Growing up, Gabriel became interested in business and how they work through many entrepreneurial adventures. He learned the importance of hard work and staying committed to something. He is honored to be able to receive this award from the Kansas Bankers Association.
