The senior class at Kansas University has selected five KU faculty members as finalists for this year’s HOPE Award.

The award is the only honor given exclusively by students for teaching excellence. The finalists are:

• Kerry E. Benson, lecturer in journalism

• Francis Bernard “Bernie” Kish, lecturer in health, sport and exercise science

• Denise Linville, lecturer in journalism

• Diane Nielsen, associate professor of education

• Tara S. Welch, associate professor of classics

The winner will be announced Saturday after the first quarter of the KU-Oklahoma State football game in Memorial Stadium.