The Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) is pleased to announce the recipients of 13 scholarships awarded by the Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation (KBEF), a 501(c)(3) corporation created and operated by the KBA. Five scholarships were awarded to children of Kansas bankers, and eight scholarships were awarded to students who are currently enrolled in one of two Kansas colleges/universities that offer banking-specific degrees and/or concentrations. Two other schools — the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City — will award KBEF scholarship funds to students in their banking programs later this summer. Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation awarded a total of $50,000!
Children of Kansas Bankers Scholarships
Landen Bilby
Pittsburg State University
Parent: Chris Bilby, Senior Vice President — Senior Lending Officer with Home Savings Bank in Chanute
Landen Bilby is a finance major with a minor in accounting at Pittsburg State University, entering his junior year with plans to pursue a career in financial advising or banking. He chose finance for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping individuals achieve long-term financial stability and success. By combining financial expertise with strong relationship-building skills, Landen hopes to guide others in confidently shaping their financial futures.
Caleb Hepner
Ottawa University
Parent: Wade Hepner, AVP-Loan Officer with The Kansas State Bank, Ottawa
Caleb Hepner is a student at Ottawa University, majoring in secondary business education with a minor in business administration. He will be a junior in fall 2026 and is a member of the basketball team. Influenced by strong mentors and hands-on experience working in the Ottawa High School Bank, he developed a passion for business, finance and teaching, with a desire to combine leadership, numbers and strategy into a meaningful career. His goal is to return to Ottawa High School as a business educator, where he can teach real-world financial skills, mentor students and give back to his community.
Carter Hepner
Pittsburg State University
Parent: Wade Hepner, AVP-Loan Officer with The Kansas State Bank, Ottawa
Carter Hepner plans to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance at Pittsburg State University, where he will challenge himself academically and seek internship opportunities guided by advisors and mentors. As a collegiate baseball player with a lifelong passion for sports, he aspires to work in the finance division of a professional sports organization, combining his love of competition with his analytical strengths. He would bring a strong work ethic, dedication and determination to roles such as financial analyst or accountant, contributing to budgeting, forecasting and financial compliance for a team.
Kaci Meseke
Kansas State University
Parent: Brenda Meseke, Senior Vice President with Bank of the Flint Hills in Wamego
Kaci Meseke is an accounting major with a strong interest in pursuing a stable and impactful career in accounting, with the goal of becoming a certified public accountant. She aspires to use her skills to ensure accurate financial reporting, contribute to informed decision-making and eventually grow into a leadership role, with a particular interest in working in banking.
Bryant Wiedeman
Kansas State University
Parent: Brent Wiedeman, President & CEO with Farmers & Merchants Bank of Colby
Bryant Wiedeman is a finance major with a minor in entrepreneurship who will be entering his third year of college in fall 2026, with plans to pursue a career in the Kansas banking industry. Inspired by his father’s role as President of Farmers & Merchants Bank in Colby, Kansas, Bryant has developed a strong appreciation for community banking and its impact on local families and businesses. The Kansas Bankers Association Scholarship will support his academic journey and help him stay focused on preparing to serve Kansas communities through responsible financial stewardship.
College/University Banking Scholarships
Jose Amaya
Fort Hays State University — Robbins Banking Institute
Jose Amaya is a senior at FHSU with a major in finance with a concentration in banking, having earned a 3.3 GPA. Jose graduated from Ashland High School and has also attended Dodge City Community College. Jose is very involved with the Robbins Banking Institute and has even attended the Bankers Conference hosted by the KBA. Jose has always had a passion for banking, which is what is leading him towards a career in banking.
Carter Bohm
Byron G. Thompson Center for Integrity in Finance and Economics, Benedictine College
Carter Bohm is from Olathe and is a junior, pursuing degrees in management and finance. His courses at Benedictine College have strengthened his analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, each of which is useful and necessary for a career in banking. His career goal is to find a job in finance or banking so that he can help individuals and businesses make sound and stable financial decisions. His father spent the majority of his business career running a roofing company, being responsible for the financial management of the company and making smart decisions with the money. This is where Carter’s interests began. Carter has lived his entire life in Kansas and would like to build a career here as well. This scholarship not only helps provide financial support for his education but also encourages his commitment towards a career in banking.
Emily James
Fort Hays State University — Robbins Banking Institute
Emily James is a junior at FHSU with a major in finance with a concentration in banking, having earned a 4.0 GPA. Emily graduated from Ellis High School and has attended Fort Hays Tech North Central, Barton Community College and Butler Community College. Emily greatly enjoys work that involves problem-solving, critical thinking and assisting people. She wishes to continue growing and developing her skill set through hands-on experience, and she believes she can accomplish this through banks or other financial institutions.
Ally Karst
Fort Hays State University — Robbins Banking Institute
Ally Karst is a junior at FHSU with a major in finance with a concentration in banking, having earned a 3.04 GPA. She graduated from Hoisington High School and attended Barton Community College. Ally has worked at a local bank for the last two years as a bank teller and a universal banker. She wishes to continue pursuing a career in banking to make a positive impact on her local community through her role. She is interning with Landmark National Bank this summer.
Harrison Milligan
Byron G. Thompson Center for Integrity in Finance and Economics, Benedictine College
Harrison Milligan is from Lenexa and is a junior pursuing a degree in finance. He is still exploring possible career paths but is increasingly drawn to the banking sector. He is especially interested in the technical side of the industry: understanding credit, risk and the capital structures that allow Kansas businesses to grow and succeed. At the same time, he values the role banking plays in supporting local communities. Benedictine College emphasizes stewardship, service and using one’s talents for the benefit of others, and he hopes to carry those values into his career. Harrison is looking for a profession where he can contribute to the long-term development of his own community. He sincerely appreciates the KBA’s commitment to supporting the next generation of financial professionals in Kansas.
Maximillian Nearmyer
Byron G. Thompson Center for Integrity in Finance and Economics, Benedictine College
Maximillian Nearmyer is from Olathe and is a senior majoring in finance. He currently works as a lending intern at a local community bank in Atchison, where he is gaining hands-on experience in credit analysis, loan processes and relationship management. His role has also included participating in site visits and shadowing multiple departments across the bank, giving him a well-rounded understanding of banking operations. Max hopes to continue this collegiate experiential learning activity into a career in banking. He is grateful to the Kansas Bankers Association for its generosity and support of Benedictine College students.
Henri Pryor
Byron G. Thompson Center for Integrity in Finance and Economics, Benedictine College
Henri Pryor is from Topeka and is a senior pursuing a degree in finance, economics and international business. Henri became interested in the world of banking and finance from his uncle, who has worked in the banking system for most of his career. His time at Benedictine College has added to his love of finance, banking and business in general. His course on money and banking was one of the more difficult classes taken, but triggered an interest in the banking system by showing that it is so much more than just depositing checks and withdrawing cash. Henri is driven to achieve his goals and is beyond grateful for being recognized with this award from the Kansas Bankers Association.
Nathan Ward
Fort Hays State University — Robbins Banking Institute
Nathan Ward is a junior at FHSU with a major in finance with a concentration in financial planning, having earned a 3.87 GPA. Nathan is also currently working on his banking certificate. Nathan graduated from Hays High and also attended Fort Hays Tech North Central. Nathan has experience in operations management from his employment with 8th Street Laundromat and FHSU as a live broadcast crew member. Nathan has had an interest in managing money since he was young and wishes to find a career in banking in the future.
