Top Students Win Presidential Scholarships at Illinois State

Date: 8/31/06
Contact: Marc Lebovitz

A select group of exceptional incoming freshmen who are attending Illinois State University this Fall have been selected as Presidential Scholars and will receive an $8,000 scholarship for each of four years.

Presidential Scholars study abroad one term, complete a 130-hour service learning project in a community setting, complete a special set of general education courses and fulfill Honors Program requirements. They generally develop individualized plans of study, work closely with faculty on research projects, and assume campus leadership roles.

Last fall, approximately 300 exemplary high school students were invited to complete extensive applications for the scholarships. Finalists were invited to campus for a day of interviews and presentations.

The Presidential Scholars, selected by a 10-person campus selection committee, had extraordinary high school records and admissions test scores, demonstrated extensive community and co-curricular involvements that often included leadership experiences and wrote compelling essays about their achievements and goals.

The new Presidential Scholars are Tara Adams of Washington, the daughter of David and Renee Adams; Kristen Atkins of Buffalo Grove; Jeremy Carter of Canton, son of John and Connie Carter; David Cermak of Tinley Park, son of James and Nancy Cermak; Kerry Conrad of Palatine, daughter of Rich and Mimi Conrad; Amy Cotter of Tremont, daughter of Joe and Sandra Cotter; Kathleen Cruger of Sugar Grove, daughter of Tom and Donna Cruger; Jonathan Damery of Rochester, son of Richard and Nancy Damery; Yvonne Dils of Morton ,daughter of Martin and Nancy Dills; Chelsea DuBois of Springfield, daughter of Tom and Nancy DuBois; Nicholas Hagan of Decatur, son of Paul Hagan and Beth Hagan; Jackie Hilgendorf of Chebanse, daughter of Dale and Connie Hilgendorf; Melissa Kaeb of Gridley, daughter of Harvey and Judy Kaeb; Kayleigh McGann of Bloomington, daughter of Mark and Lynne Morrison and Brian and Dana McGann; David McGill of South Elgin, son of John and Joanne McGill; Megan Miller of Quincy, daughter of Dave and Joan Miller; Andrew Patton of Springfield, son of Craig and Jodi Patton; Rachel Pepich of Burbank, daughter of Paul and Janet Pepich; Samantha Perr of Hoffman Estates, daughter of Joan Poppino and David Perr; Christine Pflueger of Red Bud, daughter of Ronald and Darlene Pflueger; Jennifer Richter of Normal, daughter of David and Jane Richter; Kathryn Schroll of Chatham, daughter of Steve Schroll and Cynthia Schroll-Grapes; Alisa Schwemin of Wheaton, daughter of Bob and Donna Schwemin; Nathaniel Smart of Normal, son of Robert and Karen Smart; Lauren Vickroy of Tinley Park, daughter of James and Donna Vickroy; Amanda Walsh of Naperville, daughter of John and Gina Walsh; Bonnie Willis of Normal, daughter of Holly Hughey and David Willis; and Stephanie Wilson of Tinley Park, daughter of John and Cindy Wilson.