August 04, 2004
John Winder wins presidential scholarship
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- John E. Winder, a graduate of Red Bud High School, is the recipient of a presidential scholarship from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Winder is one of 19 incoming freshmen who make up the third group of presidential scholars. SIU President James E. Walker created the Presidential Scholars Program three years ago, saying it "rewards Illinois high school students who have worked hard in the classroom and who have been actively involved in their school and community."The award provides tuition, fees, and room and board for four years. For the upcoming school year, that's a total of $11,540 for Winder, son of John Keith Winder and Leslie M. Winder of Red Bud.
Minimum eligibility requirements are an ACT (American College Test) composite score of 29, a 3.75 grade point average on a 4.0 (perfect) scale, leadership qualities and Illinois residency.
This year's scholars recorded an average ACT score of 32.89; 36 is the maximum score. All the recipients ranked in the top 2 percent of their high school graduating class.
Winder's honors include National Honor Society membership, winning the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, a math team award and placing first in a statewide geometry competition. His activities also included WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering) and the Future Business Leaders of America.
He plans to major in computer science.