August 09, 2005

Eight win Chancellor Scholarships at SIUC

by Tom Woolf

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Hard work in high school is paying off for eight soon-to-be Southern Illinois University Carbondale students.

They have won Chancellor Scholarships, which cover in-state tuition and fees. That amounts to $27,300 over four years. The recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average.

SIUC Chancellor Walter V. Wendler said the University continues to seek bright, energetic students through the scholarship program. "We are very pleased to have these students come to SIUC to study and hope they will take advantage of our new Finish in Four scholarships. "

All SIUC students who enter the University as new freshmen and who graduate in four years earn a $500 scholarship during their last semester of study. Those who then enter SIUC's graduate school within a year of graduating from SIUC are eligible for an additional $1,000 scholarship, with $2,000 scholarships offered to those who enter the University's law or medical schools.

High school class rank and test scores guided selection of the recipients, who begin their freshman year at SIUC later this month.

Scholarship winners, listed alphabetically by hometown, are:

Arcola

• Kelsey Therese Nave, Arcola High School, the daughter of Michael and Theresa Nave. An Illinois State Scholar, she graduated summa cum laude and was valedictorian of her class. Extracurricular activities included National Honor Society, Student Council, library club, Spanish club, Scholastic Bowl, drama club, AFS, basketball, volleyball and softball. She plans to major in pre-med at SIUC.

Anna

• Alex Warren Wright, Dongola High School, the son of Cindy and Kurt Pfau of Anna and Jesse Wright of Anna. The winner of several scholarships, including SIUC Alumni Association and Delta Foundation, his extracurricular activities included golf, science club, art club, math team and the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team. He plans to major in physiology at SIUC.

Antioch

• Christopher Malec, Lake Park High School, the son of Linda Minota. A four-year basketball team member, he plans to major in math education at SIUC.

Belleville

• Heather A. Bechtoldt, Mascoutah Community High School, the daughter of Marcel and Lynn Bechtoldt. Valedictorian of her class, she was the recipient of a Belleville News-Democrat Academic Award, was a National Society of High School Scholars member and is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students. Extracurricular activities included art club, Beta Club and National Honor Society. She plans to major in zoology at SIUC.

East Peoria

• Nickolas Allen Hamann, East Peoria Community High School, the son of Mark and Aileen Hamann. An Illinois State Scholar, he is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students. He plans to major in electrical engineering at SIUC.

Lakewood

• Charles W. Holmes III, Shelbyville High School, the son of Charles W. and Barbara J. Holmes. An Eagle Scout and National Honor Society member, he ranked fifth in his graduating class. Extracurricular activities included football, wrestling, tennis and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering. He plans to major in computer science at SIUC.

Manteno

• Nina Piolatto, Manteno High School, the daughter of David and Laura Piolatto. Salutatorian of her graduating class, she was an Illinois State Scholar and winner of a River Valley Conference Scholar Athlete Award. Extracurricular activities included volleyball, soccer, Key Club and Student Council. She plans to major in journalism at SIUC.

Teutopolis

• Patrick J. Zuber, Teutopolis High School, the son of Gordon and Jane Zuber. An Eagle Scout and the winner of a John Phillip Sousa band award, he plans to major in computer science at SIUC.