EAST LANSING, Mich. — Nineteen high school seniors have been awarded Michigan State University’s Alumni Distinguished Scholarship and University Distinguished Scholarship awards for 2008, the most prestigious scholarships offered by the university and among the most competitive awards in the country.
The scholarships, valued at approximately $80,000 for in-state students and more than $130,000 for out-of-state students, cover full tuition, room and board, books and other academic expenses for up to eight semesters of study. All of the students are members of the MSU Honors College.
The students, who hail from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Carolina, have outstanding records of academic and personal achievements:
Average ACT score: 35 (out of 36)
Average SAT score: 1530 (out of 1600) (critical reading plus math only)
Alumni Distinguished Scholars were selected from more than 1,110 high school seniors who applied to MSU and took an intensive general knowledge exam. University Distinguished Scholars are chosen from MSU applicant pool based on academic record and accomplishments.
Following are brief profiles of each student.
Alumni Distinguished Scholars
Kaitlin E. Anderson
Munster, Ind.
Munster High School
Academic interests: music education, psychology and math
High school activities: All-State Choir, National Honor Society, piano, mixed ensemble, Irish dance and church mission trips
Parents: Michael and Mary Anderson
“MSU has an excellent College of Music, the country’s best education program, and an abundance of academic opportunities. The people are incredibly friendly, and MSU has a beautiful campus where I really feel at home.”
Charles D. Andrews
Shelby Township
Eisenhower High School
Academic interests: engineering
High school activities: Quiz Bowl and lacrosse
Parents: Clark and Beth Andrews
“I chose MSU because it provided the relaxed feeling that I wanted in a college along with a chance to challenge myself to the fullest academically.”
Melissa J. Asher
Albuquerque, N.M.
Sandia High School
Academic interests: genomics, molecular genetics, Japanese, linguistics and physics
High school activities: Destination Imagination
Parents: Kelly and Donna Asher
“The size of the school and flexibility of the Honors College will allow me to pursue a wide variety of interests.”
Nicholas R. Bebee
Grand Ledge
Grand Ledge High School
Academic interests: mathematics, writing and politics
High school activities: Quiz Bowl, varsity tennis and varsity band
Parents: Steve and LuAnn Bebee
“I chose MSU because I grew up nearby, loving the university, and I am excited about all the opportunities attending MSU will provide.”
Mark H. Bogner
DeWitt
DeWitt High School
Academic interests: undecided
High school activities: Quiz Bowl, radio program and band
Parents: Gordon and Nancy Bogner
Erin A. Brookins
Lake Jackson, Texas
Brazoswood High School
Academic interests: social science, business, international studies and nonprofit organizations
High school activities: National Honor Society and volleyball
Parents: Thomas and Roberta Brookins
“My sister goes to MSU, and I recently visited her. I have a great sense of familiarity with the campus – it already feels like home, and the energy is contagious. I was lucky enough to attend a basketball game and sit in the student section. That experience would have convinced me all by itself. But, combined with the education and experience provided by MSU, it’s the best of both worlds.”
Kyle M. Druding
Orchard Park, N.Y.
Orchard Park High School
Academic interests: James Madison College political theory and constitutional democracy, chemical engineering, classics and mathematics
High school activities: Destination Imagination, Boy Scouts of America, Masterminds, Princeton Model Congress and Model United Nations
Parents: James and Cheryl Druding
“I chose MSU because while I have the scope of the nation’s top undergraduate university and the flexibility of the comprehensive Honors College, I also have the community of the James Madison residential college.
Rebecca L. Farnum
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant High School
Academic interests: Interdisciplinary humanities, French, international relations and premedicine
High school activities: National Honor Society, theater, band, choir, Girl Scouts of the United States of America and church activities
Parents: Charles and Kendall Farnum
“MSU gives students the flexibility to study and explore many different academic disciplines. Rather than putting students into boxes, MSU encourages diversity and exploration.”
Marielle C. Gagnier
Birmingham
Seaholm High School
Academic interests: mathematics, molecular biology, genetics and immunology
High school activities: coordinator of school partnership with an orphanage in Ghana, tutoring, water polo and swimming
Parents: Joe and JoAnn Gagnier
“Through the Professorial Assistant program, MSU offers me the opportunity to walk on campus as a freshman and begin research with world-renowned professors. I am also drawn to the flexible curriculum of the Honors College, which will allow me to blend my interests in mathematics and molecular biology. The engaging professors, friendly students and beautiful campus complete the package.”
Christopher C. Heffner
Plymouth, Minn.
Wayzata High School
Academic interests: linguistics, psychology, political science, earth science, genetics, Spanish and history
High school activities: Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad, Science Bowl and band
Parents: Douglas Heffner and Margaret Walsh-Heffner
“The freedom to explore, the freedom to choose, and the freedom to investigate were all crucial factors in my selection. With its size, flexibility and research, MSU has all three.”
Alex C. Kreger
Brookfield, Wis.
Brookfield East High School
Academic interests: jazz studies, German, film, literature, languages and culture, and photography
High school activities: traveling with foreign exchange and musical groups, and playing in bands
Parents: Scott and Tracy Kreger
“MSU afforded me the perfect combination of first-rate music faculty, flexibility to explore all of my interests, superb study abroad options and financial security. My education at MSU will prepare me to follow the exact career paths to which I aspire.”
Jessica J. Liu
Canton
Plymouth High School
Academic interests: undecided
High school activities: working with the high school radio station
Parents: Lee Liu and Jing Zhang
“I want to grow as a person in college; I don’t just mean intellectually but socially as well. With its many study abroad opportunities, professorial assistantships, academic challenges and friendly and relaxed atmosphere, MSU seems as though it will give me the best-rounded experience possible. I can’t wait to start.”
Anupama A. Prasad
Troy
Troy Athens High School
Academic interests: economics, mathematics, chemistry and physics
High school activities: Federal Reserve Challenge economics competition, National Honor Society, Math Club and Science Olympiad
Parents: Nagendra and Padma Prasad
“The campus is beautiful, the administration and students are friendly, and the overall feel of the university is just right for me.”
Catherine Bailey Reidinger
Brevard, N.C.
Brevard High School
Academic interests: linguistics, anthropology, museum studies, Japanese culture and biology
High school activities: Quiz Bowl, Interact and Girl Scouts of the United States of America
Parents: Fred Reidinger and Gail Vance
“The trees on campus make it look like home. The weather makes it very different, and the museum is great. It has the perfect combination of courses of study that I wanted.”
Emi Schackmann
Mount Clemens
De La Salle Collegiate High School
Academic interests: biochemistry in the Lyman Briggs College, mathematics, chemistry and psychology
High school activities: Science Olympiad, drama and tutoring
Parent: Patrick Schackmann
“I chose MSU because of its friendly community, academically driven spirit and excellent scientific residential college.”
Jacob C. Walker
Lake in the Hills, Ill.
Huntley High School
Academic interests: mathematics, physics, economics, English, computer science, philosophy and critical theory
High school activities: student government, Academic Team and church youth group
Parents: Charles and Marsha Walker
“MSU provides the resources, flexibility and personal attention necessary to help me reach my full potential.”
David W. Clatterbuck
Jacksonville, Ill.
Jacksonville High School
Academic interests: James Madison College
High school activities: Scholastic Bowl, choir, theater and tennis
Parents: Glen Clatterbuck and Claire Jerry
“I looked at a lot of places and MSU seemed to genuinely want me more than anywhere else.”
Brian B. Hoffer
Nashport, Ohio
Licking Valley High School
Academic interests: microbiology, physics, chemistry and Spanish
High school activities: National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Spanish Club and Fellowship of Christian Students
Parents: Jerry and Patricia Hoffer
“Michigan State has one of the nation’s best science colleges in Lyman Briggs. The campus is beautiful and the people are extremely friendly. MSU truly feels like a home away from home.”
Adrian A. Valverde
Altamont, N. Y.
Guilderland High School
Academic interests: physics, French, mathematics and chemistry
High school activities: National Honor Society, International Club and Boy Scouts of America
Parents: Gilbert and Carmen Valverde
“MSU and the Lyman Briggs College offer me an opportunity to gain a superb education in the sciences with outstanding chances for undergraduate research and for working with leading researchers. I am eager to take full advantage of the flexibility and freedom to pursue my varied academic interests.”