June 01, 2006

Ord wins SIU Presidential Scholarship

by K.C. Jaehnig

 CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Audra Ord of Xenia (P.O. Box 262) 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 Flora High School, Ord plans to major in journalism at SIUC. Her honors include selection as an Illinois State Scholar, listing in Who’s Who Among American High School Students, a Daughters of the American Revolution citizenship award and selection for the All-Conference Band.

A cheerleader, she also was active in band, track, Student Council, pep and Spanish clubs and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

Ord is the daughter of Kevin and Jocelyn Ord.

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.