Editor's Note: This is the first of three articles
that highlights Eastern Michigan University's 15 Presidential
Scholars.
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, 15 students were found deserving of the honor.
Profiles of the first five are provided below.
Caitlin Long (Bay City, Mich.)
Receiving the prestigious Presidential Scholarship
has had a big impact on Caitlin Long's life.
"If I hadn't won the scholarship, I would have probably
gone here anyway, but I would have a lot of debt," said
Long. "This scholarship has taken a lot of pressure off
of me and, at the same time, opened many doors."
 |
Long |
For Long, receiving this opportunity was the icing on
the cake.
"I was so proud and excited when I found out from Susan
Anderson (assistant director of the honors college) that
I won this scholarship," said
Long. "At
first, it was a huge factor for coming to EMU, but I love
the atmosphere and the people here are truly nicer than
anywhere else."
When Long attended Bay City Central High School, she was
a busy bee, participating in numerous activities, clubs
and community service. She was Student Council president,
vice president of the National Honor Society, German Club
vice president and was a member of the varsity tennis
team, among others. Even with more activities on her plate
than most high school students, she still managed to graduate
with a 4.10 GPA.
"One thing that stands out in my mind from high school
is, all four years, my class would build our homecoming
float at my house," said Long. "We won every year and I
really love being involved and helping plan a lot of school
functions. It was a great experience because, after we
put so much hard work into it, we got to reap the benefits."
Long is
currently a double major — in international business
and marketing — with a minor in German. After she graduates
from college, she has some ambitious plans for herself
and wants to work overseas.
"Ultimately, I would like to travel to Austria or Germany," she
said. "I really want to work for BMW/Mercedes because I
really admire the way they market their cars and how their
business is run."
Ben Simcox (Lakewood, Mich.)
Ben Simcox, an aviation major wants to be a star — in
the sky that is.
"I have always had an interest in flying," said Simcox. "The
first time I flew in a plane, I was five years old and
I have loved it ever since."
 |
Simcox |
Although the 3.45 GPA student applied to several colleges,
many of them Big 10 schools, he is glad he came to Eastern
Michigan.
"The aviation program is really expensive and the scholarship
cuts the debt I would have from flight costs in half," said
Simcox. "I may not have come to EMU without the scholarship,
but it has definitely grown on me. I like the area and
there is always something to do."
Simcox was a bit of a jock in high school, lettering in
four sports: football, wrestling, track and tennis. His
favorite sport was wrestling.
"Wrestling was the hardest physically and mentally for
me to play, but it was definitely my favorite for those
reasons," he said. "My first season, I won seven matches
and lost 30. In my second season, I won 27 and lost
seven. I was so proud when I won my first tournament."
He has thought about joining a team in college and football
might be something he would be interested in playing while
at EMU. But, for now, he wants to enjoy his first year
in college.
Simcox has yet to decide what part of the aviation industry
he would like to work in as far as flying is concerned,
but has plenty of time to decide.
"I can't wait to be paid for doing the thing I love," he
said.
Michelle Bentley (DeKalb, Ill.)
Michelle Bentley has always strived to make the most of
her educational opportunities and receiving the Presidential
Scholarship has made every effort worthwhile.
 |
Bentley |
"I believe that the Honors College will allow me to continue
my search for knowledge and find opportunities to serve
others," said Bentley, a 4.11 GPA student. "College life
should provide students with a chance to experience many
wonderful aspects of life, and I believe the honors program
will assist me in this."
Her clothing/textile teacher, Mrs. Xidis, is one of the
most influential people in her life thus far.
"She helped me develop what I believe to be my greatest
talent," Bentley said. "She is a constant inspiration and
has challenged me, which has helped me progress as far
as I have."
Bentley would like to pursue a career in theatre
because she thinks that the arts are an important part
of being human.
"Since my specialty is costumes and costuming is an important
part of a production's success, I plan to expose more people
to the excellence of theatre," she said. "Through theatre,
their minds can be enlightened."
Although she says that good grades and high test scores
have been rewarding, she also appreciates the personal
gratification that comes from doing her best.
"I want to continue to strive for excellence on the university
level and through the Honors College, I know I will be
able to expand my mind and improve myself as well as the
world around me," Bentley said.
John Dillon (Lincoln Park, Mich.)
John Dillon will probably always remember where he was
when he found out that he received the Presidential Scholarship.
"I was in the honors office and had just scheduled my
classes," said Dillon, a psychology major. "I was completely
floored when Susan Anderson told me there was an interesting
situation concerning me. She gave me a high five when she
told me I got it. Instead of riding back to the union in
the golf cart, I ran next to it because I was so excited."
 |
Dillon |
He feels very lucky to have won this scholarship and college
just keeps getting better each day for him.
"I was leaning towards Wayne State University, but I had
come to EMU so much that it became familiar to me. It was
a better fit for me and I like how relaxed it is. It
doesn't feel like a huge university but, at the same time,
it's not too small."
Dillon, with a 3.66 high school GPA, also participated
in the preliminary round of Eastern Idol, playing his guitar
and singing. Although this is the first big event that
he has been a part of on campus, he is considering joining
VISION. If he does, he said he would most likely work with
Habitat for Humanity.
His favorite memory from high school was when his class
went on a senior retreat.
"On our senior retreat, I got to know so many people below
the surface, which set the tone for the rest of the semester," Dillon
said. "Since that trip, I have learned to be more outgoing
and, because of that, I have been able to seek out more
friendships at Eastern Michigan."
Kelly Patrick (Brighton, Mich.)
Although winning the Presidential Scholarship was another
perk of attending Eastern Michigan, it wasn't the deciding
factor for Kelly Patrick. The day before she found out,
she had already decided to come to EMU.
"When I found out, I was at choir practice and my parents
called to tell me to give Susan Anderson a call back," said
Patrick, a nursing major. "When I got off of the phone,
I screamed because I was so happy."
 |
Patrick |
Patrick originally wanted to attend a big school, but
she said EMU has grown on her.
"I like Eastern Michigan a lot more than I thought
I would. It's perfect because it's a
big enough school that you won't see the same people every
day," said
Patrick, a 3.63 GPA student.
Winning this scholarship also has given her a greater
opportunity to go to graduate school and a chance to study
abroad.
"I would really like to experience the world and travel
to Florence (Italy) during the spring or summer session," said
Patrick. "Now, I also have a greater opportunity to go
to graduate school right after graduation. I'm glad I have
this option because I didn't think I would be able to so
soon."
Looking back on high school, she has many memories that
stand out in her mind, but one of her favorites involves
something she is passionate about — choir.
"I was in choir during high school and, as a whole, I
really enjoyed it," said Patrick. "My choir got to perform
at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, which is where the
top 12 choirs in the state perform. It was great to meet
other people who enjoy what I love."
