Alyson Deines, senior in mathematics, and Emily Voigt, sophomore in chemical engineering, were each awarded $18,000 scholarships for the next two years.

The Clare Boothe Luce Program provides private support for women in science, engineering and mathematics. According to the Luce Foundation Web site, Luce appreciated that women face obstacles in their chosen professions, and she encouraged women to study, graduate and teach in the sciences.

Luce, who died in 1987, married the late Henry R. Luce, cofounder and editor in chief of Time Inc. He established the Henry Luce Foundation in 1936, to which the Clare Boothe Luce Program belongs.

The scholarship is an award to support the last two years of undergraduate education, said Kimberly Douglas, director of the Women in Engineering and Science Program.

"The scholarship allows the students to have financial support," she said. "It also allows them to learn more about research and whether they would enjoy a further career in academics."

Selection for recipients was based on grade point average, awards, membership in honor and professional societies, letters of recommendation, two essays and a personal interview.

This is the final year the scholarship will be awarded to K-State students under the two-year grant from the Clare Boothe Luce Foundation, Douglas said.

Deines said she applied for the scholarship her sophomore year, but didn't get it, so she applied again last spring. She said the scholarship will allow her to relax and focus on academics.

"The scholarship will allow me to focus on my research in the summer as opposed to working," said Deines, who is planning to attend graduate school for mathematics.

Voigt said she plans to attend graduate school in either bioengineering or chemical engineering.