TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Fifteen students have been awarded Indiana State University's most prestigious scholarship - the President's Scholarship. The honor includes full tuition, room, board and books as well as a laptop computer for all four years of the student’s college career.
President's Scholars must be ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class or have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. Selection is highly competitive and based upon both academic and personal accomplishments, and an interview is required for all finalists.
This year’s President’s Scholar recipients include (see background on each recipient below): Ahnya Alstott, Brazil; Michael Baum, Dyer; Andrew Beaven, Marshall, Ill.; Rebecca Campbell, Whiteland; Kelly Cheney, Noblesville; Anna Coffey, LaPorte; Mary Crawford, Indianapolis; Kaitlyn Eddelman, Columbus; Kayla Eldib, Indianapolis; Janie Kelly, Lafayette, Aliya Khan, Clinton; Kelli Lueken, Celestine; Abigail Schmitz, Charleston, Ill.; Sarah Tillman, Claypool and Breanna Wyman, West Union, Ill.
The current value of these scholarships for in-state students is about $14,500 annually, or $58,000 for a scholar's four-year college career. Tuition for Southeast Illinois waiver recipients is $15,700 annually, or $62,800 for a scholar’s four-year college career.
Since the program's inception in 1994, those students who have been named President's Scholars have distinguished themselves in unique and successful ways at Indiana State, at graduate schools across the country, and in their subsequent careers.
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Ahnya Alstott, daughter of Rev. Tony and Rhonda Alstott of Brazil, is a graduate of Northview High School. She plans to major in English education while at Indiana State, with the possibility of a second career in politics or the ministry. During high school, Alstott has been involved in Business Professional of America, student council, Academic Super Bowl, Spell Bowl, Quiz Bowl, Fellowship of Student Athletes, National Honor Society, Key Club, Excalibur Corps, West Central Indiana Chrysalis Community, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Northview television staff, peer mediation mentor, a member of the varsity soccer team and a delegate to Hoosier Girls State. She also has received numerous awards and honors, including West Central All-Conference in Varsity Soccer (2004 and 2005), Varsity Soccer captain (2005 and 2006), outstanding senator at Hoosier Girls State, Good Citizen Award at Hoosier Girls State, Girls Nation senator and a national finalist in Business Professional of America in extemporaneous speech.
Michael Baum, the son of Fred and Sandy Baum of Dyer, is a graduate of Lake Central High School. He plans to major in music education while at ISU, with hopes of becoming a middle school or high school band director. During high school, Baum has been involved in marching band, jazz band, wind ensemble/concert band and National Honor Society. He has received numerous awards, including being named to the high honor roll for all four years of high school, National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student, named the Outstanding Wind Ensemble Member in 2006 and recipient of the 2006 Music for All Foundation’s Yamaha scholarship.
Andrew Beaven, the son of Lee and Clare Beaven of Marshall, Ill., is a graduate of Marshall High School. He plans to major in pre-medicine while at ISU, in hopes of working in a health related field. During high school, Beaven has been involved in Scholastic Bowl, band, varsity baseball, Interact, PALS, Lincoln Trail Community College Jazz Band, Marshall City Band, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and Post 90 baseball. He has earned numerous honors and awards such as being named a recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Science Award, student of the month in health, social studies and chemistry, Scholastic Bowl All-Conference, MHS athlete of the week, Scholastic Bowl top scorer, achieving the high honor roll every semester, participating in Rose-Hulman’s Operation Catapult and placing in the top 10 in four events at Eastern Illinois’ engineering competition.
Rebecca Campbell, the daughter of Mark and Lisa Campbell of Whiteland, is a graduate of Whiteland Community High School and plans to major in nursing while at ISU, in hopes of ultimately becoming a nurse practitioner. During high school, Campbell has participated in a variety of activities, including show choir, student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, peer helper, National Honor Society, Drama Club, freshman mentor and a member of the varsity tennis team. Her honors and awards include being named a National Merit Scholarship Commendable Student, Prudential Spirit of America school nominee, a delegate to Hoosier Girls State and being an AP Student of Merit.
Kelly Cheney, the daughter of Mandy Cheney of Noblesville and Jay Cheney of Indianapolis, is a graduate of Noblesville High School and plans to major in pre-medicine while at ISU. She hopes to ultimately become a family practice physician. While in high school, Cheney has participated in the Noblesville Golden Guard, advanced orchestra, D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) mentoring program, Quiz Bowl, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Yuletide Yarn Club and Relay for Life. She was in the top 10 percent of her class all four years of high school and received perfect attendance honors.
Anna Coffey, the daughter of Phillip and Margaret S. Coffey of LaPorte, is a graduate of Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities. She hopes to specialize in pediatrics or family medicine because of her experience working with elementary aged children at summer camp. Coffey has participated in Spell Bowl, band, swimming, track, and served as football manager. She has been a student ambassador and peer tutor in addition to serving on the prom and Academy Awards committees. Her honors and awards include being listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students, named to the principal’s high honor roll and a USAA All-American Scholar.
Mary Crawford, the daughter of Douglas and Shelley Crawford of Indianapolis, graduated from Perry Meridian High School and plans to major in chemistry or Spanish while at ISU. She hopes to eventually pursue a career in health care. During high school, Crawford has been involved in National Honor Society, Blue Crew, Link Crew, Ambassador Corps, Spanish Club and Focus, her school newspaper. She was active in school plays and served as a tutor at Burkhart Elementary School. She studied in Ciudad Real, Spain for seven weeks through the Indiana University Study Abroad Program. Her honors and awards include achievement awards in algebra and Spanish, perfect attendance awards, recipient of an academic letter and being named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students.
Kaitlyn Eddelman, the daughter of Alan and Judith Eddelman, graduated from Columbus North High School and plans to major in elementary education while at ISU. In high school, she has participated in National Honor Society, marching band, concert band, symphonic wind ensemble, and dance classes. Her honors and awards include being named a third place winner in the 2005 Ivy Tech High School Art Contest, being named the recipient of the Ayumi Yoshizawa Award and being a 2006 Fiesta Bowl National Band Champion in addition to earning an academic letter. She has also earned awards for being an outstanding musician, marcher, visual performer and for outstanding attitude.
Kayla Eldib, the daughter of Ken and Robin Eldib of Indianapolis, graduated from Brownsburg High School and plans to major in journalism while at ISU. She hopes to write for a fashion magazine and eventually become an editor. While in high school, Eldib has participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Spanish Club, Key Club, student council, National Honor Society, tennis and swim teams and The Reveille, her school newspaper. Her honors and awards include being named an outstanding Spanish student, all A honor roll (3 years), earning an academic letter and two bars, lettering in varsity tennis, being a recipient of a sportsmanship award and earning certifications in CPR/AED/First Aid.
Janie Kelly, the daughter of Chris Morris and Kenny Kelly of Michigantown, graduated from Clinton Central Junior/High School and plans to major in athletic training while at ISU. While in high school, she has participated in National Honor Society, foreign language club, science club, Learning to Lead Clinton County, science academic team, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Local Heroes, volunteering for March of Dimes and Salvation Army and being a member of the varsity volleyball, basketball, track and swimming teams. Her honors and awards include being named Psi Iota Xi Top Junior Girl, earning all conference honors in volleyball and in track, attending the Indiana West Leadership Seminar, and earning the mental attitude award in track, hustle and most improved honors in basketball.
Aliya Khan, the daughter of Ali Khan and Naomi Tony of Clinton, graduated from South Vermillion High School and plans to major in psychology while at ISU. She hopes to become a counselor in halfway houses and prisons and to explore a career in social work. Her activities in high school have included National Honor Society, student council, creative writing club, drama club, French Club, band, 4-H, the Wildcat Newspaper and community volunteer work. She has been named to the high honor roll for all four years, has received two Academic Excellence Awards, the Art Award, the French Award, a semi-finalist in the Ayn Rand Institute’s Anthem Essay Contest and received a scholarship to the Indiana University Journalism Institute.
Kelli Lueken, the daughter of Kevin and Kathy Lueken, graduated from Northeast Dubois High School and plans to major in dietetics while at ISU. She would like to eventually practice as a clinical dietician in a southern Indiana medical facility Her high school activities have included varsity cheerleading, track and field, All-Stars, Business Professionals of America, Beta Club, Natural Helpers, Spanish Club, Academic Bowl and being a hospital volunteer. Her honors include being named a Hoosier Girls State delegate, a national qualifier for the Business Professionals of America, named to the honor roll all four years, recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Science Award, recipient of the chemistry award, German Heritage Essay Contest winner and being a member of the 2004, 2005 and 2006 class 1A State Cheerleading Champion Team.
Abigail Schmitz, the daughter of Jim and Kathy Schmitz of Charleston, Ill., is a graduate of Charleston High School. She plans to major in marketing while at ISU and hopes to work for an international company in marketing and product development in the future. Her high school activities have included National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, student council, serving as class secretary, 4-H, French Club, Spanish Club, science club, Illinois State Horse Judging Team, Future Farmers of America, serving as 4-H County Action Board secretary and numerous service learning activities. Her honors include being named and Illinois State Scholar, FFA Star Greenhand Award recipient, gold medalist at the FFA National Horse Judging Competition and winning third place high individual at the 4-H National Horse Judging Competition.
Sarah Tillman, the daughter of Dale and Deb Tillman of Claypool, graduated from Tippecanoe Valley High School. She plans to major in Spanish and psychology while at ISU. She hopes to become a high school guidance counselor or a clinical counselor. Her high school activities have included National Honor Society, student government, Peer Facilitators, Hispanic Youth Mentoring Program, Students and Teachers Advocating Respect and Tolerance (S.T.A.R.T.), yearbook staff, Spanish Club, I-Safe mentor, Challenge Leaders, Sunshine Society, serving as student liaison to the School Board, School Improvement Team and Corporation Improvement Committee; Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) and the school’s academic team. Her honors and awards include being named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students, National Society of High School Scholars, America’s National Honor Society, social humanities award, and earning an academic jacket and letters.
Breanna Wyman, the daughter of William and Diane Wyman of West Union, Ill., graduated from Hutsonville High School. She plans to major in biochemistry while at ISU and hopes to pursue a career in a health-related field. Her high school activities have included National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, Drama Club, band, Future Business Leaders of America, Scholastic Bowl, Spanish Club, and serving as student council president. Her honors and awards have included being named an Illinois State Scholar, Daughter of the American Revolution Good Citizen and a member of the IMEA District V orchestra.
Deadline for admission for the next class of President's Scholars is December 1, 2007. Students graduating from high school in 2008 will be eligible to apply and be considered for the next class. For an application or more information, contact ISU's Office of Admissions at 1-800-GO-TO-ISU or e-mail admissions@indstate.edu .
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CONTACT: Office of Admissions, Indiana State University, 1-800-GO-TO-ISU or admissions@indstate.edu
WRITER: Paula Meyer, ISU Communications & Marketing, (812) 237-3783 or pmeyer4@isugw.indstate.edu