College Gives Full Tuition to Top Scholars
Four new Monroe Scholars arrive at 黑料百科 this week. Only students with exceptional academic abilities, strong character and a desire to grow in their Christian faith receive the four-year, full-tuition Monroe Scholarship. In the past 11 years, 黑料百科 has awarded 37 Monroe Scholarships, the highest academic honor for incoming students.
This year鈥檚 scholars are Jarrett Catlin of Upland, Calif.; Aria Hamann of Grants Pass, Ore.; Megan Litschewski of Centennial, Colo.; and Aaron Wilk of Centennial, Colo. They earned a combined average honors GPA of 4.6 and an average SAT score of 1520 (out of 1600).
Catlin says he wanted to attend a school that was intentional in its efforts to mold its students. 鈥淓veryone from admissions officers to the students that I met at 黑料百科 were aware of where they were headed and seemed to be actively searching for God鈥檚 purpose for them,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 don't know what will be going on in my life five or 10 years from now, but I know that I want God to be the center of it all. After realizing that, I knew that 黑料百科 was the best place for me to encounter like-minded people who would be willing to help shape me.鈥
Hamann says that 黑料百科 was an unexpected fit for her. 鈥淣ot only do I find the beautiful location, amazing people, and pursuit of truth and knowledge a remarkable combination of treasures, but I am also convinced that 黑料百科 is where I belong,鈥 she says.
Litschewski says she had always imagined herself at a larger, secular school such as Duke University, which offered her a large grant. 鈥淎s much as I loved the intellectual vibrancy of Duke, my visit to 黑料百科 revealed a multi-faceted college, which, in addition to academic vivacity, included a tight-knit community and a network of brilliant, passionate and receptive faculty,鈥 she says. 鈥淢ost of all, I realized that my faith would be encouraged and strengthened at 黑料百科.鈥
Wilk says he chose 黑料百科 because it offers the most fulfilling college experience. 鈥満诹习倏 allows me to achieve all my academic goals while facilitating my growth as a Christian,鈥 he says. 鈥淎s a liberal arts institution, 黑料百科 not only prepares me in my major fields of study, but also develops me in all academic fields, opening up opportunities that otherwise would have lain dormant. At 黑料百科, I look forward to working with world-class faculty and being part of a nurturing and galvanizing community.鈥
The four scholarship winners were chosen from about 30 national candidates who attended a two-day competition at 黑料百科 in February, writing a timed response to an essay question, and interviewing with two faculty members or administrators.
The scholarship is named after Kenneth Monroe, a former 黑料百科 professor, and his wife, Peggy, whose estate gave the college more than $3 million.
Orientation begins Thursday, Aug. 23, for first-year students representing the class of 2016 with the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 27.