EAST LANSING, Mich. – Citing interests in undergraduate research, student groups and athletics, 23 high school graduates from around the country – and Nigeria – have been named Michigan State University's newest Alumni Distinguished Scholars and University Distinguished Scholars for 2011.
The scholarships, which are considered among the most competitive awards in the country, are valued at about $100,000 for in-state students and $170,000 for out-of-state students. They cover full tuition, room and board, books and a stipend for up to eight semesters of study.
All students are members of MSU's Honors College.
Alumni Distinguished Scholars:
- Kelly Christopherson, of Lansing, Eastern High School
- Deanna Christy, of Fort Collins, Colo., Fossil Ridge High School
- James Crawford II, of Sparta, N.J., Sparta High School
- Adam Cusick, of Washington, Romeo High School
- Christopher Gallick, of Morris, Ill., Morris Community High School
- Erin Hoffman, of Plainfield, Ind., Park Tudor High School
- Lynne Krutty, of Plymouth, Salem High School
- Christy Ky, of Holland, West Ottawa High School
- Michaelyn Lux, of Brighton, Hartland High School
- Keegan McCorry, of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Catholic High School
- Joseph Nutter, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Walnut Hills High School
- Irina Pushel, of Naperville, Ill., Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
- Ahmed Rizk, of Sylvania, Ohio, Toledo Islamic Academy
- Martin Scherr, of Lorton, Va., Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
- Jana Sedlacek, of Rockaway, N.J., Morris Hills High School
- John Suddard-Bangsund, of Monticello, Minn., Monticello High School
- Eric Vasko, of Lockport, N.Y., Lockport High School
- Lee Wang, of Okemos, Okemos High School
University Distinguished Scholars:
- Usienemfon Adia-Nimuwa, of Lagos, Nigeria, Trinity International College
- Anthony Findley, of Jacksonville, Fla., Providence High School
- Mariah Gilman, of Georgetown, Colo., Clear Creek High School
- Rachel Osborn, of LaPorte, Ind., LaPorte High School
- Mark Schenfisch, of Casper, Wy., Natrona County High School
The students’ average high school grade point average is approximately 4.15. The average ACT score is 35 (out of 36) and the average SAT score (critical reading plus math, only) is 1510 (out of 1600).
Alumni Distinguished Scholars were selected from more than 1,100 of the top high school seniors who applied to MSU and took an intensive general knowledge exam. They were then selected by a committee composed of faculty and administrators based on the results of the exam, high school programs and achievements, other standardized test scores and interviews with the finalists.
University Distinguished Scholars were chosen from an MSU applicant pool based on academic records, accomplishments and interviews with the finalists. Students were selected by the director of admissions and dean of the Honors College on the basis of their high school programs, achievements and standardized test scores.
For more information about the scholarships, visit the Honors College or the Office of Admissions.
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