30 freshmen chosen for Emerging Urban Leaders Scholarships
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Thirty incoming Purdue University freshmen from Indianapolis, Northwest Indiana and Chicago have been chosen for the first Emerging Urban Leaders Scholarships.
The scholarships provide $5,000 to select Indiana students from public high schools in Indianapolis, Hammond, Gary and East Chicago. Students from Chicago Public Schools District qualify for a $15,000 scholarship. The scholarships are renewable annually for four years.
Seed money for the program, part of Purdue's Access and Success Campaign, came from a $6 million anonymous gift received in April 2009.
"These scholarships meet our goal of making a college education accessible for students, especially those who are proven leaders, both in and out of the classroom," said Purdue President France A. Córdova.
The Emerging Urban Leaders Scholarships are awarded to students from three underrepresented geographic areas at Purdue, recognizing a goal of the anonymous donor. The scholarships are designed to help the students complete work on their degrees in a timely manner and prepare them to be community leaders as they pursue their careers.
The scholarship winners were chosen from the entering freshman class based on both their academic records and accomplishments in service and leadership. Rashaon Jones, a graduate of East Chicago Central High School, and Jordan Williams, a graduate of Pike High School in Indianapolis, both said they were honored to be among the first recipients.
During high school, Jones took part in after-school clubs and sports. But he said he was proudest of serving as a tutor/mentor for younger children in the community. He'll study construction engineering at Purdue.
Williams also mentored younger children through his school's Young Men of Purpose organization and tutored elementary school students in math and English. He participated in community service events such as Relay for Life and Help for Haiti. He'll study management with a concentration in marketing.
The first group of scholars includes 14 students from Indianapolis, six from Northwest Indiana and 10 from Chicago.
"The committee that chose the recipients was impressed by the quality of the candidate pool, and we are all excited to have these bright young scholars on campus," said Pamela Horne, associate vice provost for enrollment management and dean of admissions.
The students are excited, too. "I'm very proud to be a part of the Emerging Urban Leaders program, and I couldn't wait to kick off the school year," Jones said.
The Access and Success Campaign was launched in 2007 and provides funding for a variety of scholarships and student programs.
Writer: Judith Bara Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Pamela Horne, 765-494-2096, pamhorne@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: For the names of EUL scholars who have agreed to be contacted, call or e-mail Judith Austin, Purdue News Service, at 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu