EAST LANSING, Mich. — Nineteen high school graduates from throughout the country are Michigan State University’s newest Alumni Distinguished Scholars and University Distinguished Scholars.
Their reasons for coming to MSU are myriad: unparalleled research opportunities, a healthy balance between academics and research programs, opportunities to participate in campus organizations, a sense of academic and artistic freedom, Honors College programs and a challenging and supportive network of professors and counselors.
These academically talented students have earned either an Alumni Distinguished Scholarship or a University Distinguished Scholarship for 2009, considered to be among the most competitive awards in the country. All of the students are members of the MSU Honors College.
The scholarships, valued at about $90,000 for in-state students and $150,000 for out-of-state students, cover full tuition, room and board, books and a stipend for up to eight semesters of study.
"We are proud of all of the exceptional students who are joining us at MSU and in the Honors College in the fall," said Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, dean of the Honors College. "We're especially looking forward to the many ways these students, including the new Alumni and University Distinguished Scholars, will enrich and contribute to our campus and broader communities throughout their college careers."
Alumni Distinguished Scholars:
- David Clauson, Sterling Heights
- Ethan Dailing, Houston, Mo., and Kaiserslautern, Germany
- Gina DeYoung, Allendale
- James Woodrow Dunn IV, DeWitt
- Alexander Goodin, Solon, Ohio
- Robert J. Harrison, Okemos
- Sean J. Kappes, Madeira, Ohio
- Monika Kothari, Canton
- Logan R. Matthews, Midland
- Justin Mrkva, Toledo, Ohio
- Colleen Osak, Troy
- Vishnu Pemmaraju, Troy
- Sylvia Reiser, Albuquerque, N.M.
- Kyle Safran, Grosse Pointe Farms
- Olivia Swailes, Grand Rapids
- Daniel Wardle, Farmington Hills
- Rachel Yales, Maybee
University Distinguished Scholars are:
- Alexander Dutch, Lexington, Ky.
- James F. Funnell, East Amherst, N.Y.
The students’ average high school GPA is approximately 4.27 on a 4.0 scale. The average ACT score is 34 (out of 36) and the average SAT score (critical reading plus math) is 1530 (out of 1600).
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 an MSU applicant pool based on academic record and accomplishments.
Alumni Distinguished Scholars 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 director of admissions and dean of the Honors College on the basis of their high school program and achievements and standardized test scores.
For more information about the scholarships, visit www.honorscollege.msu.edu or www.admissions.msu.edu/finances/scholarships.merit.asp.
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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.