University awards scholarships

By Luis Jiménez
Summer Reporter

Seven incoming freshmen have been awarded with one of the most coveted and complete scholarships available in the country The Steven C. Beering Scholarship.

The Beering Scholarship, named after the university's president from 1983 through August 2000, covers all college expenses for undergraduate and graduate studies. The award covers University fees, tuition, housing and books and includes a stipend. One of the things that sets this scholarship apart is the fact that it not only pays for undergraduate studies, but also pays all expenses if a student decides to stay at Purdue to pursue a master's degree or a doctoral degree. A fully paid medical degree is also available through Indiana University.

This year's recipients are Alex Bishop of Chesterton, Ind.; Eleanor Gamble of Appleton, Wis.; Christopher Kanich of Portage, Ind.; Ryan Spalding of Palatine, Ill.; Jacqueline Stewart of West Lafayette, Ind.; James Sweeney of Fort Wayne, Ind. and Noland Wright of Lexington, Ky.

Douglas Christiansen, director of admissions, said the scholarship is given yearly to students who excel in academics, in their community and in leadership roles. "It's a phenomenal scholarship that is given to top-notch students," he said. "It helps us to recruit the very best students. We wish we had more scholarships."

Jo Ann Brown, associate director of admissions, in a University press release said Beering, the previous president, established the scholarship in 1986 to attract students representing the highest standards of academic excellence and achievement.

Christiansen said these scholarships are important to Purdue as they continue to raise the caliber of the students that are being brought into Purdue.

Christiansen explained how potential recipients of the scholarship are chosen. He said that of the approximately 21,000 students that apply each year, about a hundred are invited to apply to Purdue because of their SAT scores and class rank. Of those hundred prospective students, about seventy returned the application. A committee is then put together comprised of faculty and staff members to evaluate each student's academic and extracurricular record.

Each member of the committee after reviewing the students' applications comes up with a list of their top picks to receive the scholarship. Based on the committee's top choices, three in-state students and four out-of-state students are chosen and later interviewed focusing on their leadership experiences described in their applications.

He said everybody in the committee gets a copy of the students' record and makes sure the possible awardees were not only participants, but leaders of the organizations they were involved in. He said this is important because Purdue seeks people who are leaders and who are willing to contribute back to their university.

Despite the fact Beering is not the president anymore, the scholarship will continue to exist as it is based on a program funded by private donors.

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