Purdue News

August 21, 1998 8 Purdue freshmen earn full-ride Beering Scholarships WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Eight incoming freshmen have been awarded Purdue University's most prestigious scholarship. Indiana recipients of the Steven C. Beering Scholarship are Patrick Joseph Baumann of Greencastle, Mark Gregory Davis of Huntingburg, Keith Andrew Henderson of Bloomington, Jessica Jane Stewart of West Lafayette, Eric Robert Tkaczyk of Northville, Mich., formerly of Indianapolis, and Karen Ruth Wiens of Carmel. Out-of-state recipients are Erik Scott Douglas of Belmont, Mich., and Teresa Adel Zakaria of Moline, Ill. Beering, who has been Purdue's president since 1983, established the scholarship in 1986 to attract students of the highest caliber to the university. The award covers all college expenses, including fees and tuition, room and board, books, and spending money. Recipients who maintain the required standards hold the Beering Scholarship throughout their time at Purdue and may convert it to a fellowship to pursue master's and doctoral degrees at Purdue. Including the new recipients, there will be 28 Beering Scholars and Fellows attending Purdue this fall. The program has awarded 53 scholarships and fellowships since 1986. The Beering Scholars and Fellowship program is supported through gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and Purdue alumni clubs. Indiana recipients: Baumann, an engineering major, is a graduate of Greencastle High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Council. He also was a varsity wrestler and played varsity soccer. Baumann is active in 4-H and placed first in the school and the regional science fair in 1996. In 1997, he was named a Purdue School of Science Junior Scholar in math. Davis graduated from The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities in Muncie, where he was student body vice president. He also was involved in theater and choir, and he participated in a mission trip to Mexico. Davis, who will study engineering at Purdue, was named a Purdue Junior Scholar in German. Henderson graduated from Bloomington South High School and will study engineering at Purdue. While in high school, he played varsity soccer and was the Student Council treasurer and a Campus Life student leader. Henderson also is a National Merit semifinalist and does volunteer work for the YMCA. His sister Sheila was a Beering Scholar and received her bachelor of science degree from Purdue in 1997. Stewart, a Harrison High School graduate, is enrolled in Purdue's School of Agriculture. She was a member of the Harrison High School marching, concert, pit and pep bands and played varsity soccer. Stewart earned the Girl Scout Silver Award (the second highest in Girl Scouting) and was named a National Merit semifinalist. Tkaczyk is a Carmel High School graduate and is enrolled in the Schools of Engineering. He was the 1997 winner of the Indiana Academy of Science student talent search and placed first in the 1996 National Estonian Math Olympiad. Tkaczyk was involved in the Latin and international clubs at school and has worked as a research assistant for the Purdue School of Agriculture. His family moved to Michigan this summer from Indianapolis. Wiens, also a Carmel High School graduate, will study biology at Purdue. She was a National Merit semifinalist and a member of the National Honor Society. Wiens also played English horn in the school orchestra and was a member of the German Club. She has been named a Purdue School of Science Distinguished Scholar and was a Rotary International exchange student to Russia in 1997. Out-of-state recipients: Douglas, who plans to study engineering, was the 1998 valedictorian of Rockford High School and served as a computer technician and the Webmaster for his school. He also was president of the National Honor Society, a member of the debate and alpine ski teams, and a National Merit semifinalist. Zakaria is a graduate of Alleman High School and plans to study engineering at Purdue. She played varsity tennis and was a member of the student council. Zakaria won the 1996 Bausch and Lomb Science Award and was named a Purdue School of Science Junior Scholar. She also is a fund-raising volunteer for the American Cancer Society and has volunteered at nursing homes in her hometown. CONTACT: Joyce Koelzer, director of annual support, (765) 494-2729. NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Color photos of the Beering Scholars are available from Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2073. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page