Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation Awards Scholarships 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. 20
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==