Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of stories
about Eastern Michigan University's 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, 16 students were found deserving of the honor.
Profiles of the second five are provided below.
Matthew Mortier (Uniontown, Ohio)
Though he had been considering a couple of schools, winning
the scholarship was the deciding factor for Matthew Mortier.
But, as he found out, good news isn't as exciting without
someone to share it with.
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Mortier |
"I was sitting at home all by myself when I got the call
[notifying me of the scholarship], so there was no one
tell," said Mortier. "It was kind of depressing."
Mortier cheered up when he finally got the opportunity
to tell his family and friends. They all felt that EMU
would be a good fit for him.
"I went to a private high school based around a community
feeling," said Mortier. "When I came to EMU, I got that
same feeling. It seemed like everyone knew each other."
Mortier's high school activities included peer counseling,
model United Nations, campus ministry, Junior States of
America and multiple community service activities. He took
every honors class and Advanced Placement course available,
earning a 3.68 GPA.
Mortier has been busy at EMU as well. So far, he has joined
the Honors Student Association, played intramural sports,
volunteered with VISION and is about to start pledging
for TKE fraternity.
"I find that the people are very inviting here," said
Mortier. "I've been asked to join numerous clubs. Everywhere
I go, I find someone I know."
For Mortier, one of the highlights so far has been getting
to know the other presidential scholars.
"Last semester, we [the presidential scholars] all had
a class together," said Mortier. "We got to meet the other
presidential scholars. I like them all. They're cool people."
In high school, Mortier had a part-time job at an ice
cream store. Through that experience, he became interested
in business. At EMU, he decided to major in accounting.
"I took a class [in accounting] last semester, and I really
liked doing that," said Mortier. "I already had an interest
in some kind of business. There are so many choices once
you go into accounting."
Erin Fielder (Alpena, Mich.)
When Erin Fielder received the call notifying her that
she won a Presidential Scholarship, she almost didn't want
to answer.
"I was working on homework and I kept getting promotional
calls from EMU, telling me why I should go to school there," said
Fielder. "I got another call from EMU and I was really
frustrated, because I was motivated to do my homework and
I kept being interrupted."
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Fielder |
Fielder tried to say that she was too busy to talk, not
knowing that the caller was Susan Anderson, assistant director
of EMU's Honors College. Fielder changed her tune when
she found out what the call was really about.
"I told them 'Never mind! I do have time!' said Fielder. "I
was completely in shock. I had pretty much made up my mind
to come here, but it was nice to have everything planned
out."
Eastern Michigan University is something of a family tradition
for Fielder. Both of her parents attended school here,
and her grandparents were professors at EMU.
"I like that it's not small, but focuses on undergraduates," said
Fielder. "Pretty much everyone in my family has come here.
I wasn't pressured to come here, but it felt personal to
me."
Fielder has chosen to major in biology, following in the
footsteps of her father, who is an ecologist.
"Science has always been a big interest of mine. I like
the step-by-step processes that make each individual thing
come together and work," said Fielder. "I'll probably end
up working in pharmaceuticals, but I'm not sure. I want
to see what careers are available and what options I have."
In addition to her class work, Fielder has been a member
of EMU's rowing team and is currently pledging for Alpha
Phi Omega service fraternity. A flute player in high school,
Fielder also is hoping to get back into music.
"I took the first semester to settle in," said Fielder. "Now,
I want to get more involved."
Kayla Potter (Eaton Rapids, Mich.)
Kayla Potter's mother was as excited as she was about
winning the scholarship.
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Potter |
"I had just awoke from a nap when I heard the phone
ring," said Potter. "My mom screamed that it was for me
and I heard the answering machine start to come on. I don't
know why she didn't answer it. When they told me [I had
received the scholarship], I nodded at my mom and she was
jumping up and down and screaming. I asked her why she
didn't just pick up the phone; she said she was too excited."
Though they had first thought she might be better suited
at a smaller school, Potter's parents had a change of heart
after visiting campus.
"I had been looking at private schools initially. I had
considered EMU, but my parents were against it. My stepdad
didn't think I would like it because it's too big," said
Potter. "We came to visit anyway and everyone was impressed.
I decided that I was coming here, even if I had to raise
the money myself. Winning the scholarship was a big relief."
As it turns out, the size is one of the things Potter
likes best about EMU.
"It's a good place to be," said Potter. "There are lots
of diverse people and, everywhere I go, I can always meet
someone new."
In high school, Potter earned a 3.7 GPA while participating
in the National Honor Society, school newspaper and theatre.
She took two years of Japanese classes and put her knowledge
to the test during a two-week exchange program in Japan.
At EMU, Potter is continuing her interest in language
with a major in linguistics. She also has been involved
in Circle K (a service organization), the first-year mentor
program and the Honors Student Association.
"I like that they're [EMU] willing to do so much for the
kids," said Potter. "It's not just about research and graduate
students. Plus, there are a lot of opportunities for honors
students."
Yasmine Nahlawi (Ypsilanti, Mich.)
Yasmine Nahlawi had a tough decision when choosing which
college to attend. In addition to winning the Presidential
Scholarship, Nahlawi also had scholarship offers from
the University of Michigan.
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Nahlawi |
"I talked to a lot of people about the differences between
the two schools. A lot of my friends from high school who
graduated really liked EMU," said Nahlawi. "I liked that
EMU focuses more on undergraduate opportunities, has smaller
class sizes and, of course, the money."
In high school, Nahlawi earned a 4.13 GPA and participated
in numerous activities, including school newspaper, yearbook,
basketball and community service activities. Impressive
for anyone, let alone someone her age.
"I skipped a grade and completed a condensed, three-year
high school program, so I'm two years younger than most
people in my classes," said Nahlawi. "People are really
surprised when they find out how old I am. Socially and
academically, I'm doing well. I don't see a difference
between myself and any other student."
Nahlawi attended the Michigan Islamic Academy, a small
private school. However, adjusting to EMU's size and diversity
hasn't been much of a shock.
"My classes were really small (in high school). That helped
me become a more confident person," said Nahlawi. "My favorite
part about EMU has been the whole social experience. There
are 30 people you don't know in the room. That's 30 potential
friends. It's nice to see people you know from class walking
around campus. You can stop and talk to them. I went to
the same school with the same people for six years, and
it wasn't like that there."
At EMU, Nahlawi has joined the Muslim Student Association
and is a political science major.
"I was thinking of going into civil rights or nonprofit,
or maybe become a high school government teacher," said
Nahlawi. "I
was sure in high school, but now I'm not so sure."
Ashley VanHuelen (Ada, Mich.)
Ashley VanHuelen had made up her mind to attend EMU before
being notified that she was a Presidential Scholar. She
is enjoying her stay here, even though two of the factors
in her decision are no longer priorities for her.
"I was considering EMU, at first for the rowing team," said
VanHuelen. "At the time I was considering teaching, so
that also attracted me to EMU."
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VanHuelen |
However, now that she's here, VanHuelen has decided to
forgo the athletics to focus on her academics. She also
has changed her mind about teaching. Despite all this,
VanHuelen hasn't regretted her decision to attend EMU.
"Those weren't the only reasons I wanted to attend EMU.
I really liked the campus; something about the school seemed
more personable," said VanHuelen. "I didn't feel like another
statistic. I could actually interact with people here."
And, of course, the money was a big incentive.
"We [my family] were all excited when I found out I got
the scholarship," said VanHuelen. "I was home at the time.
My mother screamed and scared people. My brother and stepdad
were in the basement. They kind of freaked out."
VanHuelen was a 3.75 GPA student in high school. She was
a member of the National Society of High School Scholars;
served as the coxswain on her school's crew team; and volunteered
her time to community service events at her church. In
addition, she traveled to England, Wales and Ireland as
part of the People to People Student Ambassador Program.
At EMU, VanHuelen has joined the Honors Student Association
and spends her free time enjoying the many theatre productions
and performances on campus.
"I'm thinking about joining the rowing team next year,
since I didn't have the time this year," said VanHuelen. "Hopefully
I'll have picked a major by then as well. So far, I'm considering
biology and history."
