EDITOR’S NOTE: High resolution photos are available for most of the students from Pam Jahnke at (517) 432-0304 or jahnkep@msu.edu.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – A variety of course and research opportunities, a desire for academic challenges, and a caring faculty and staff are among the reasons that 25 high school seniors from throughout the country, recipients of Michigan State’s most prestigious and top academic scholarships, are coming to campus.
These academically talented students are the recipients of either an Alumni Distinguished Scholarship or a University Distinguished Scholarship for 2006, considered to be among the most competitive awards in the country. All of the students will be members of the MSU Honors College.
The scholarships, valued at approximately $75,000 for in-state students and more than $120,000 for out-of-state students, cover full tuition, room and board, books and other academic expenses for up to eight semesters of study.
One student declined to be identified.
Alumni Distinguished Scholars are:
- Leigh Anna Beach, St. Clair Shores, Mich.
- Rebecca Brown, Clinton, Pa.
- Amanda Griffin, North Branch, Mich.
- Nathan Harris, Lake Orion, Mich.
- Megan Hart, Lancaster, Pa.
- Xiaomeng He, Alpena, Mich.
- Sigal Hemy, Wexford, Pa.
- Jeffrey Holycross, Livonia, Mich.
- Lisa Kelly, Dewitt, Mich.
- Brandon Laventure, Caro, Mich.
- Daniel McClosky, Rochester Hills, Mich.
- David McWilliams, Eaton Rapids, Mich.
- Alex M. Mihelick, Canton, Mich.
- Shannon M. Morey, Attica, Mich.
- Meredith R. Morgan, Midland, Mich.
- Linsey Seitz, Naperville, Ill.
- Ryan Sullivan, Mokena, Ill.
- Michael Vo., Midland, Mich.
- Benjamin Wenner, Lewis Center, Ohio
University Distinguished Scholars are:
- Jacqueline A. Brosius, Naperville, Ill.
- Dominic T. DeMarco, Wallingford, Conn.
- Victoria E. McCoy, Wexford, Pa.
- Christopher H. O'Brien, Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Daniel J. Panyard, Fort Wayne, Ind.
"It is especially exciting and rewarding that such accomplished students as these scholars have selected MSU for their undergraduate education,” said Ron Fisher, dean of the Honors College. “We look forward to the many ways that these scholars will enrich and enhance our community."
The students’ average high school grade point average is approximately 4.0 on a 4.0 scale. The median ACT score is 35 (out of 36) and the median SAT score is 1520 (out of 1600).
Recipients of the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship awards were selected from more than 1,110 high school seniors who applied to MSU and took an intensive general knowledge exam. The University Distinguished Scholarship program also is based on academic record and accomplishments.
Alumni Distinguished Scholarship recipients were selected by a committee of faculty and administrators based on results of the scholarship exam, high school program and achievements, other standardized test scores and interviews with the finalists. University Distinguished scholars are selected by the provost, director of admissions and dean of the Honors College on the basis of their high school program and achievements and standardized test scores.
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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 14 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.