June 01, 2006

Bazar wins SIU Presidential Scholarship

by K.C. Jaehnig

 CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Michaela Bazar of Carterville (1406 Country Aire Drive) 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 Carterville High School, Bazar plans to major in secondary education at SIUC, with a concentration in English. Her honors include selection as an Illinois State Scholar, the John A. Logan Top Six Juniors award and Outstanding Spanish Student award.

She played an active role in such activities as the Beta Club, Science Club and Spanish Club.

Michaela is the daughter of Arlene Bazar.

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