June 01, 2006
McBride wins SIU Presidential Scholarship
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Gregory McBride of Sparta (123 Fox Run) has won a Presidential Scholarship that will pay for his 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 Sparta High School, McBride plans to major in civil engineering at SIUC. His honors include selection as an Illinois State Scholar, membership in the National Honor Society, American Legion Boys' State delegate and five-time All-State status in track and field.
He also played an active role in such activities as the math and science clubs, Student Council, math team and yearbook staff.
McBride is the son of Randal and Deborah McBride, the paternal grandson of East Alton resident James McBride and the late Bert McBride and the maternal grandson of the late John Spaeth and Charlotte Spaeth, also of East Alton.
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.
