Editor's Note: This is the third and final in a series
of articles profiling 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 scholarships must live in University 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 a 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 last five are provided below.
James Grinias (Clinton, Mich.)
With a major chosen, a career path in mind and already
involved in campus activities, most would say James Grinias
has made a successful college transition.
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Grinias |
"I am glad that I made the choice to come to Eastern Michigan
University," said Grinias, a 4.18 GPA student. "It has
such a close, community feel, like I'm at home. Getting
to this point took a combination of a lot of hard work
and effort."
Although the former high school valedictorian wasn't sure
what college to attend, receiving the scholarship definitely
helped him make that choice.
"The scholarship has allowed me to focus more on my studies
and not have to worry about how I am going to pay for college," he
said.
Grinias has decided to be a math or chemistry major, and
has high career goals set for himself.
"Eventually, I would like to work in a research lab or
be a general doctor," said Grinias. "One of the reasons
I am so passionate about chemistry is because one of my
former teachers, Ron Schaffner, pushed me to work as hard
as I could."
He is currently working for Heather Holmes, an associate
professor of chemistry, in instrumentation. The two are
trying to come up with a consistent method to analyze biological
samples.
"Eventually, I would like to be published in chemistry
research," he said. "I do want to go to graduate school
because that would be a big boost for my future career."
With graduation more than three years away, Grinias' big
plan for now is to graduate with honors.
Aron Dodger (Allendale, Mich.)
Like the other Presidential Scholars, receiving the award
has opened many doors for Aron Dodger.
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Dodger |
"I wasn't surprised when I got the letter in the mail
saying that I got the scholarship," said Dodger, a 3.62
GPA student. "It totally changed my decision as far as
college was concerned. I had a full-tuition scholarship
to the Illinois Institute of Technology, but chose Eastern
Michigan instead."
Even though the move from high school to college may be
hard for many freshmen, Dodger hasn't had any problem with
the change so far.
"I like to take the more challenging classes, so college
wasn't much of a change in that aspect," he said. "I have
decided to major in physics for that reason and because
I have always been good at it."
In high school, Dodger was involved in many activities
including cross-country, track and field, Science Olympiad
and band. His good experience with cross county has encouraged
him to try out for EMU's team.
"One of my favorite memories from high school was from
my cross-country team," he said. "My sophomore year, we
didn't think that our team made it to state. But, one of
our rivals from the other team told us to look at the scoreboard.
We made it to state!"
Maureen Moss (Gurnee, Illinois)
Unlike most freshmen, the word homesick is not in Maureen
Moss's vocabulary.
"I love it here at Eastern Michigan University," said
Moss, a 3.51 GPA student. "I have made a lot of new friends
and I like how the campus is smaller and not spread throughout
a city."
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Moss |
Moss said she was excited when she received the phone
call that let her know she was a Presidential Scholar.
"I just got home from gymnastics when the phone rang and
I was overjoyed," she said. "My parents were extremely
excited as well."
The Presidential Scholarship has allowed Moss to get to
know some important people on campus she may not have otherwise
met.
"I have gotten to know my professors more and meet some
of the administrators and regents," she said. "The scholarship
is great because it has opened more doors for me and made
me more driven."
Being a political science major, she has plans to go to
law school. Eventually, she would like to work for a private
firm before working for the government.
Moss was busy in high school. She was her team's
gymnastics captain and was involved with community service.
She worked for a group called Teen Court, which helped
minors who committed minor crimes.
She has continued to participate in gymnastics, joining
EMU's team. Her only other plans for campus activities
are to possibly join student government. Mock Trial interests
her the most.
Stephanie Karisny (Macomb, Mich.)
When Stephanie Karisny found out she had received the
Presidential Scholarship, she was in disbelief.
"I was at home when I found out about the scholarship
and, for a few minutes, I couldn't believe it," said Karisny,
a 3.89 GPA student in high school. "My parents were just
as pleased because they never expected anything like this
to happen."
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Karisny |
The scholarship has had a huge impact on Karisny, in a
good way of course.
"It has taken a huge weight off of my shoulders," she
said. "Without that help, I would most certainly be paying
my way through school. With everything I have to do now
for school, I can't imagine having to deal with finances,
too."
The scholarship is why she chose to attend Eastern Michigan
University.
"It would have been hard to turn down such a great award
and I wasn't sure if any other school would offer one that
generous," she said. "I do like EMU so far, though. The
people are really friendly and I have easily adjusted to
my classes."
Even though many of the scholars seem to be more interested
in science or theatre, Karisny is unique in that aspect.
"I have really enjoyed my Comparative Religion class," she
said. "I think that subject matter is fascinating and I
love arguing the little bits of philosophy within the subject
matter."
Karisny has decided to major in music education.
"I picked musical education because, ever since my sophomore
year in high school, that is really the only occupation
I could see myself doing," she said.
With the first half of Karisny's freshman year complete,
it looks like she has a bright future ahead of her.
Robin Miller (Rockton, Illinois)
Robin Miller hasn't made up her mind about her major at
EMU, but she has an interest in art history.
"I think I may want to work in the nonprofit industry.
I believe I would like to focus on museum studies," said
Miller, who had a 4.66 weighted GPA in high school. "Museums
are cool and interesting because they combine community
involvement and community service."
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Miller |
Miller had her mind made up before accepting the scholarship
that she didn't want to go to a big school and was very
humble when she found out she was one of the 15 chosen
as a Presidential Scholar.
"When I received the call that I got the scholarship,
I was very surprised and excited," she said. "I was not
expecting this."
This scholarship also has given her the opportunity that
she may not otherwise have had to study abroad. If she
has time, she would like to study in England or take a
European tour.
"It's a relief knowing that I won't have financial issues
and I can focus on getting a great education," said Miller. "EMU
has provided me a chance to really enjoy college, meet
new people and just make the best of this experience."
In the short time she has been at the University, she has
become involved with community service organizations.
She is currently a part of Circle K, a mentee in the First-Year
Mentor Program, a member of the Public Administration Club
and is considering joining VISION.
