News Releases

MANHATTAN, KAN. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced the members of his 2015 Kansas Service Academy Selection Board. The 20-member board will review applications and interview candidates who are applying for admission to the U.S. Service Academies. These include the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

“Our country is fortunate to have so many intelligent, hard-working and patriotic young men and women interested in serving our country through the Armed Forces,” Sen. Moran said. “I know the selection board will have a difficult time narrowing the field of qualified candidates, but I value their insight and thank them for their help in this important process.”

Sen. Moran accepts application for nominations to the United States Service Academies each year. This year’s application deadline is Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. After submitting an application, each candidate will interview with Sen. Moran’s Service Academy Selection Board on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene. The board will make recommendations to Sen. Moran for his decision. If nominated, applicants must then meet the individual admission requirements of each academy. The academies will make the final decision on who will receive an appointment of admission in early 2016.

Members of the 2015 Kansas Service Academy Selection Board include:

  • Bill Clifford, M.D., of Garden City – Ophthalmologist and U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate
  • Karen DeGraaf of Mulvane – U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate
  • Ardith Dunn, Ph.D., of Satanta – Retired high school mathematics/computer instructor, superintendent and mother of U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate
  • Ernie Honas of Gardner – Network Marketing Business Professional and served in the U.S. Navy
  • Robin Jackson, Ph.D., of Hutchinson – Central Christian College Professor of Science and Mathematics
  • Melissa Jarboe of Topeka – Military Veteran Project Founder and widow of U.S. Army Service Member
  • Scott Jenkins of St. Francis – CEO Cheyenne County Hospital, Major Colorado Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate
  • Cheryl Kerns of Overland Park – Blue Valley West High School teacher and mother of U.S. Military Academy cadet
  • Brian Kessens of Leawood – Managing Director Tortoise Capital and U.S. Military Academy Graduate
  • Ryan Kriegshauser of Topeka – Director of Policy and Special Counsel Kansas Office of the Securities Commissioner and a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserves
  • Katrina Lewison of Manhattan – U.S. Military Academy Graduate and Purple Heart Recipient
  • Wendell Maddox of Kansas City – United Way of Wyandotte County President and CEO and served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps
  • Jill McCarthy of Overland Park – Kansas City Area Development Council Vice President of Business Development and mother of U.S. Military Academy Graduate
  • Lynne Murray, Ph.D., of Baldwin City – Baker University President and wife of U.S. Air Force Member
  • John O’Leary of Wichita – Airbus Vice President of Engineering and U.S. Naval Academy Graduate
  • Jayne Pearce of Wallace – Wallace County Visitors Bureau Marketing and Tourism Director, served in the U.S. Air Force and mother of U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate
  • Paula Ripple of Dodge City – Retired Dodge City High School English instructor and mother of U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate
  • Matt Treaster of Newton – Assistant United States Attorney and U.S. Naval Academy Graduate
  • Samuel Turner of Leawood – Retired Shawnee Mission Medical Center CEO, Vietnam War Veteran and served in the U.S. Army
  • Ron Whitney of Emporia – American Legion Member, Veterans of Foreign War Member and served in the U.S. Army


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