Presidential Scholars Chosen at Illinois State University

Students from across Illinois have been chosen as Presidential Scholars at Illinois State University.  The highest award made to incoming students, a Presidential Scholarship provides $8,000 for each of four years, a total of $32,000.

Recipients 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.

In fall 2007, 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 45 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.

Students applying for the 2008 Presidential Scholarship earned an average 4.13 grade point average and ACT composite score of 29.97.

New Presidential Scholars are Kyle Koniewicz of Algonquin, Nancy O’Neill of Algonquin, Emily Wolter of Arlington Heights, Maria Endsley of Bloomington, Dario Marotta of Bloomington, Danica Taylor of Bloomington, Rachel Kee of Bourbonnais, Andrew Hudson of Charleston, Amanda Clement of Collinsville, Michael Hantak of Crete, Katrina Schutzkus of Elgin, Kaitlyn Lunte of Fairview Heights, Kyle Barshinger of Galesburg, Alexander Silber of Galesburg, Kirsten Keener of Geneseo, Jamie Kennett of Geneseo, Bryan Wengert of Gurnee, Laura Soppet of Homer Glen, Natalie Roxas of Homer Glen, Michael Fuelling of Huntley, Nicole Morrow of Joliet, Sarah Pfluger of Libertyville, Erin Lee of Macomb, Amanda Lutes of Magnolia, Hannah Waibel of Mahomet, Anna Weigandt of Moline, Mark Donahue of Morton, Polly Hirt of Mundelein, Ashley Knorr of Naperville, Katherine Kauffman of Normal, Eric Meier of Normal, Andrew Stuepfert of Normal, Rebecca Flores of Orland Park, Rachel Mosetick of Riverwoods, Laura Fehr of Roanoke, Emily Johnson of Rockton, Kevin Kledzik of Schaumburg, Allison Gibble of St. Charles, Rebecca Silkaitis of St. Charles, Landinn Eckhardt of St. Joseph, Katelyn Rowen of Toulon, Jodi Slagel of Washington, Kristen Farmer of Westchester, Elizabeth Kubik of Willowbrook and Kate Dorman of Winfield.