June 01, 2006
Murray wins SIU Presidential Scholarship
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Jennifer Murray of O'Fallon (1003 Oak Tree Court) has won a Presidential Scholarship that will pay for her 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 O'Fallon Township High School, Murray plans to major in journalism at SIUC. Her honors include selection as an Illinois State Scholar, listing in Who's Who Among American High School Students and a Young Achiever Award.
A member of the National Honor Society, the Thespian Society, the Broadcast Club and the History Club, she also played an active role in the chamber, jazz and treble choirs among other activities and served as the lead delegate to the Model United Nations.
Murray is the daughter of Alan D. and Diann Murray.
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.