July 22, 2004
Four students win Pulliam scholarships
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Ryan Anne Cheperka of Carbondale, Megan Bryce Gabby of Johnston City, Michael W. McClure II ofChester, and Fahran K.J. Robb of Pinckneyville are the recipients of the Roscoe Pulliam Memorial Scholarship.
The Roscoe Pulliam Scholarship Fund awards four scholarships valued at $1,000 each. Recipients must be closely related to an SIUC alumnus or alumna who is a current member of the SIU Alumni Association.
Cheperka, a junior, is majoring in psychology at Southern. She has been on the University's Dean's List, the National Dean's List, and received numerous academic honors. Additional accomplishments for Cheperka include receiving the Freshman Engineering Scholarship and Academic Scholarship. She is a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society and participated in the University Honors Program.
A high honor roll student at Carbondale Community High School, Cheperka was a scholar athlete. She received CCHS' "Red Rose" Recognition and graduated with a grade-point average over 4.0.
Gabby is a marketing major. A junior at Southern, she has been on the University's Dean's List four semesters, and also earned National Dean's List honors while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average. A University Honors Program participant, Gabby is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and the College of Business and Administration LINX organization. She is also a former Leadership Council Member.
While attaining valedictorian honors at Johnston City High School in 2002, Gabby was involved in numerous extracurricular activities. She served as class president and ALPHA Peer Leader four years and reigned as Homecoming queen in 2001. An Illinois State Scholar, Gabby received All-State Academic Team Honorable Mention accolades from the Illinois High School Association in 2002. She was an all-conference performer in basketball (2001, 2002) and softball (2000, 2001, and 2002). The softball team captain also received all-South honors in 2001 and 2002.
McClure is a senior majoring in mathematics at Southern. He is a Dean's List student at the University and has also earned National Dean's List honors. McClure is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Pi Mu Epsilon. He won the Outstanding Achievement Award in Mathematics as a sophomore and a service award for his contributions as a certified tutor in the state of Illinois.
An Illinois State Scholar in high school, McClure was recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students and National Honor Society. He received the President's Education Award, National Leadership Service Award, SISHA Achievement Award for Academics and Service to his school, and All-American Scholar honors.
Robb is a sophomore majoring in agricultural systems with minors in environmental studies, political science, and speech communication. She is a Dean's List student whose academic accolades include Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, Dean's Certificate of Distinction, and Outstanding Student Honor Society. A University Honors Program participant, she is an active member of "Agbassadors," a student recruitment organization in SIUC's College of Agricultural Sciences, serves as a Student Life Adviser, and Hall Council President.
In high school, Robb was a recipient of the President's Award for Educational Excellence. An Illinois State Scholar and class valedictorian, she was also recognized by the National Honor Society, National Honor Roll Society, Who's Who Among American High School Students, United States Achievement Academy and Southern Illinois Society for Achievement. She received the Prairie State Achievement Award, Outstanding Student of America Award, International Foreign Language Award, and Presidential Physical Fitness Award. A PCHS Merit Scholar, Robb served as an officer in FFA.