UNL's Jeffrey S. Raikes School announces 2009 entering class

Thirty-seven high-achieving 2009 high school graduates have been accepted into the highly competitive and prestigious Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for fall 2009.

This will be the first class entering with the school's new name, formerly the J.D. Edwards Honors Program in Computer Science and Management. Jeffrey S. Raikes is chief executive officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, based in Seattle. A Nebraska native, he previously was president of Microsoft Corp.'s Business Division, retiring in 2008 after 27 years with the company.

The Raikes School will develop leaders for this era of expanding information technology and business globalization. Students live and learn in the Esther L. Kauffman Academic Residential Center located at the heart of the UNL campus. Students are selected for this innovative program based on high academic achievement, with an average ACT of 33.4; outstanding leadership experience, demonstrated interest in computer science and business, and career goals. Students receive scholarships valued at approximately $35,000 over four years that cover housing in the Kauffman Center and a full meal plan, and admission to the University Honors Program. Most receive other tuition scholarships available at the university for high-achieving scholars.

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, 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 selected students follows. The name of the student's high school is included in parentheses if it differs from the town's.