June 01, 2006

Armstrong wins SIU Presidential Scholarship

by K.C. Jaehnig

 CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Brooke N. Armstrong of Metropolis (89 Paradise Lane) has won a Presidential Scholarship that will pay for her tuition, fees, room and board at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for each of the next four years.

Worth about $56,000 in all, the grants are the largest awarded to the University's undergraduates.

The late James E. Walker, former president of SIU, set up the Presidential Scholarships in 2001. Each year, they go to 19 Illinois students who have demonstrated leadership qualities and who have at least a 3.75 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and a minimum ACT composite score of 29.

A graduate of Massac County High School, Armstrong plans to major in political science at SIUC, with an eye toward continuing on to law school. Her honors include selection as an Illinois State Scholar, a National Leadership Merit Award, placement on the National Honor Roll and a listing in Who's Who Among American High School Students.

She played an active role in such activities as the Biology Club, the Genetics Club, the German Club, the Key Club, the high school's Student Council and Mu Alpha Theta, a mathematics honor society.

Armstrong is the daughter of the late David Armstrong and Emma L. Armstrong.

Strengthening the undergraduate scholarship program is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint the University is following as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2019.