September 03, 2004

Welch wins chancellor's scholarship

by Bonnie Marx

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Eric Welch, a 2004 graduate of Shelbyville High School, is the recipient of a chancellor's scholarship from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.


Welch is one of nine freshmen who make up the 2004 group of Chancellor's Scholars.The award provides tuition and fees for four years. For the current school year, it's worth $6,340 for Welch, son of Steve Welch and Alissa Welch of Shelbyville.

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 and leadership qualities.

This year's scholars recorded an average ACT score of 31.22; 36 is the maximum score. All the recipients ranked in the top 2 percent of their high school graduating class.

Welch's honors include selection as an Illinois State Scholar, a U.S. Army Reserve Scholar Athlete, and membership in the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society.

His high school activities included serving as student council president, participation in track, cross-country and golf, band and jazz choir, drama club, Spanish Club and Future Farmers of America.

Welch plans to major in civil engineering.

Strengthening the undergraduate scholarship program is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.