The Presidential Scholarship is a four-year award that
pays 30 credit hours (15 per semester) per year of in-state
tuition, housing, food allowance and mandatory fees. Students
who receive these scholarships must live in University
residence halls the first two years of the award, complete
at least 15 credit hours per semester and maintain a 3.5
GPA.
Scholarship recipients are selected during EMU's annual
Presidential Scholarship Competition. Awards are based
on a competitive exam. To compete, high school seniors
must have either a 3.7 GPA or a 3.5 to 3.69 GPA, with a
minimum 25 ACT or 1,150 SAT score. Each scholarship winner
also must complete a successful interview.
This year, 16 students were found deserving of the honor.
Profiles of the final six are provided below.
Jordan Schotz (West Carrollton, Ohio)
The location of Eastern Michigan University and the Presidential
Scholarship are the two reasons Jordan Schotz decided to
attend EMU.
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Schotz |
"It was far enough away from home, but not too far," said
Schotz, who is from West Carrollton, Ohio. "I really liked
the campus here."
Schotz had originally declared her major as international
business, but she has since decided to pursue a major in
English. She said that she always has loved English
and she enjoys writing.
"My ideal job would be to be a book editor. I would definitely
love to work with books, though," said Schotz, who also
wants to be a novelist.
In high school, Schotz participated in National Novel
Writing Month. Each November, participants have the entire
month to write a 50,000-word novel.
"You learn to write for the sake of writing, which is
how you write a novel," said Schotz.
Schotz said she likes to write fantasy mixed with the
modern-day element. Some of her favorite authors include
Stephen King, Anne Rice and Orson Scott Card. She is currently
writing for the Eastern Echo.
Schotz also was a member of her high school marching band,
concert band, debate team and German Club. Last summer,
she had the opportunity to travel to Germany and Switzerland.
Schotz is taking courses in Japanese at EMU and eventually
wants to learn French.
"It (Japanese) is very different. It's a lot harder than
German. It's interesting. I like languages," said Schotz.
Bethany Carlson (Clinton, Mich.)
The Presidential Scholarship was the main reason Bethany
Carlson decided to attend EMU. The University's location
to her hometown of Clinton, Mich., and the fact that she
has friends nearby made her decision even easier.
"It was great to come to Eastern," said Carlson. "A lot
of my friends live in Ypsi. I had this automatic friend
base."
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Carlson |
Carlson initially declared her major as English linguistics,
but is now considering changing it to Spanish. She also
plans on pursuing a minor in TESOL (Teaching English to
Speakers of Other Languages.)
"I would like to get a job abroad teaching English. At
least for a few years, to get experience and have fun.
I feel like it's a good excuse to be in another country," said
Carlson. "Since I've had so much experience with learning
languages, I feel like that'll help me understand what
it's like for them learning English. It'll make me a better
teacher."
While Carlson doesn't consider herself fluent in any foreign
languages, she has studied Spanish, Latin, Arabic, Hebrew,
Japanese and Egyptian hieroglyphics. Carlson said she would
really like to major in Arabic, but EMU doesn't offer that
program. Spanish was her second choice because it is the
language with which she has the most experience.
Carlson, who was home schooled, graduated with a 3.9 GPA
and scored a 35 on the ACT. She said she often would help
younger siblings in school. Carlson also is currently tutoring
algebra to high school students.
"I just enjoy helping others if they're confused about
something. I enjoy helping other people understand stuff.
It's a fun challenge," said Carlson.
Music also is a large
part of Carlson's life. Her mother taught her how to
read music. Carlson then taught herself how to play the
piano, fiddle, guitar, percussion and clarinet. She plays
the piano fairly regularly at her church.
"It might look like I've done a lot in my life so far,
but I can't take credit for any of it," said Carlson. "Jesus
is behind it all and everything would be meaningless if
I didn't have Him."
Chris Knight (West Bloomfield, Mich.)
Chris Knight always knew that Eastern Michigan University
was where he would attend college, although the Presidential
Scholarship made the decision much easier.
"My mom taught here for 16 years. She taught in the School
of Social Work. I've been visiting here ever since I was
a little kid. It feels like home," said Knight.
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Knight |
Knight hasn't declared his major as of yet but, he is
considering communication. He said he would ultimately
like to obtain his doctorate in communication and become
a professor.
"I'm really comfortable around people," said Knight. "I
like talking to people and helping people out."
Knight's personable demeanor got him a job as a tour guide
with EMU's Admissions Visit Program. Knight also is involved
with the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity on campus.
Knight attended West Bloomfield International Academy,
which is part of the International Baccalaureate (IB).
"It's (IB) like advanced placement, only on a worldwide
scale," said Knight. "It allows me to go to college anywhere
in the world."
As for his immediate future, Knight said he would like
to study abroad in central Asia because he is really fascinated
by the traditional culture there. Traveling would be nothing
new for Knight. He has ventured to almost 20 of the United
States and eight other countries.
Catherine Schlenkar (Jackson, Mich.)
The size of Eastern Michigan University's campus was the
deciding factor for Catherine Schlenkar to attend the University.
She said she likes the smaller campus and feels like she
gets to know people more quickly as a result.
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Schlenkar |
Schlenkar originally declared her major as exercise science
but, after talking to students in the nursing program,
she decided nursing was a better fit. Schlenkar said she
realized that nursing isn't what it is stereotyped to be
and that it's not just for people who cannot be doctors.
"I came to college with no idea what I wanted to do. I
just knew I loved science and medicine," said Schlenkar. "I've
just always wanted to help people. My biggest strength
is science. It fascinates me."
Schlenkar was quite the busy bee in high school. She was
involved in everything from marching band to student government
to tennis. She even found time to teach German to elementary
students.
"My parents always said I took on too much but, if I didn't,
I would be bored," Schlenkar said of her high school activities.
Boredom was not an issue for Schlenkar. She kept herself
busy and still managed to graduate valedictorian of her
class with a 4.0 GPA.
Schlenkar plans to get involved in intramural sports and
community service at EMU next year. In order to catch up
in the nursing program, she is taking 20 credits this semester
Brooke Stefani (Trenton, Mich.)
Brooke Stefani decided to attend Eastern Michigan University
because of the University's education program and its proximity
to her hometown of Trenton, Mich.
"I'm going to be a teacher and Eastern is a good teaching
school," said Stefani.
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Stefani |
Stefani is majoring in math for secondary education with
a minor in physics. She said she likes math because the
rules don't change and physics is interesting because it
explains everything that happens. Stefani wants to teach
high school.
"I'd prefer to teach more advanced classes because you
get students who are more serious about learning," said
Stefani. "I want to be a teacher, not just a professional
babysitter."
At EMU, Stefani works in the provost's office 20 hours
a week in addition to her 17-credit class load. A member
of the marching band, she has been playing the flute since
fifth grade.
In high school, Stefani was a member of the marching band
and was drum major her senior year. She also was a member
of National Honor Society, Student Council, Interact and
was involved with planning Homecoming and Prom. Interact
is Rotary International's service club for high school
students.
Stefani graduated with a 4.0 GPA and scored a 33 on her
ACT. She was one of four valedictorians of her class.
During her speech, she quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson by saying, "I
hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
Phoebe Conybeare (Chelsea, Mich.)
Phoebe Conybeare always knew she would end up attending
Eastern Michigan University. She spent most of her middle
school years on the campus while her mother attended graduate
school here.
"I love Ypsilanti because growing up in Chelsea there
was no diversity," said Conybeare. "I was looking to meet
people drastically different from me. Ypsilanti is really
accepting of all types of people."
Conybeare is pursuing a major in international affairs
and is currently deciding between political science and
Spanish, as a minor.
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Conybeare |
Conybeare attended Model UN conference with EMU in February.
She said the conference really expanded her knowledge of
the world and she gained a different perspective because
she played the role of a different country at the conference.
"I've always had an interest in politics. I've always
been very political, outspoken and liberal. I really want
to do something to help people," said Conybeare. "There
are so many people that need helping in the world and there
are not enough people willing to help."
Conybeare also works in the Volunteers Incorporating Service
Into Our Neighborhoods (VISION) office on campus. She works
specifically with Kid Connection, a organization that brings
students together with other organizations in the community
that work with children. She also is a team captain for
Relay for Life.
In high school, Conybeare was involved with the newspaper,
Student Council, Gay-Straight Alliance, Diversity Club,
Young Progressives, National Honor Society and was on the
swim team. She graduated with a 3.98 GPA and scored a 29
on her ACT.
In addition to her extracurricular activities, Conybeare
wrote poetry and was published in two anthologies.
