Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of three
articles profiing Eastern Michigan University's 16 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 first five are provided below.
Lilyan Glaeser (Brunswick, Ohio)
The size of EMU's campus and its swim team are what made
Lilyan Glaeser decide this was the school for her.
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Glaeser |
"It's a big enough school to give me the opportunities
that I need, but small enough to feel like I'm part of
a community," said
Glaeser. "I love the way the Honors College is run here.
It is personable. I feel it's really easy for me to get
the information I need."
In addition to her classes, Glaeser also is a member of
the swim team. From September to February, she has two-a-day
practices, four days a week, from 6-8 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.
She competes in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events.
"It's very demanding physically and mentally," Glaeser
said of the practice regimen. "If
I didn't have friends on the team, it would be too much."
Glaeser is pursuing a major in biology with pre-med as
her ultimate goal. She plans to minor in chemistry.
"Right now, I'm interested in being a surgeon," she said. "Everything
I've heard has been fascinating."
Glaeser said she is trying to keep her scope broad this
year, taking classes ranging from philosophy to speech
to Japanese.
"I don't want to be totally focused on science and know
nothing of the world," said Glaeser.
Glaeser managed to keep her focus broad in high school.
She was on the swim team, house crew manager for theatre,
and a member of Paranormal Club and Art Club. She graduated
with a 4.45 GPA.
Neil Weinberg (Toledo, Ohio)
A full-ride scholarship and the University's education
program are what originally made Neil Weinberg choose EMU.
Unlike many college students, his plans have changed.
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Weinberg |
Weinberg has decided that pursuing political science as
his major and history as his minor is a better fit with
his goals. This ambitious freshman may want to eventually
pursue a career in politics.
"I was really interested in history and political science
is contemporary history," said Weinberg. "I have a strong
desire to make a difference."
Weinberg already is well on his way to making a difference.
In high school, he participated in Dance for a Chance.
The student-run charity event focused on one problem in
society and then chose a related charity to support.
"It's a lot of fun and we're raising money for a good
cause," said Weinberg of the 12-hour stand-a-thon event.
He was a member of Teen Pep, an abuse prevention program.
"We'd go into freshmen health classes and do skits," said
Weinberg. "Afterward, we would discuss the problems."
Problems discussed focused mainly on abuse, but other
topics included how to tell if someone is in a good or
bad relationship, and problem-solving techniques.
Weinberg also was the volunteer coordinator for Give Autism
the Boot. This is an event where volunteers stand outside
of a local Kroger grocery store with a boot and ask for
donations. Weinberg said the event draws more than 200
volunteers each year and raises more than $100,000 for
autism.
At EMU, Weinberg has become involved with College Republicans
and he is currently writing his conservative views in the
opinion column of the Eastern Echo.
Karen Martindale (Roselle, Ill.)
A passion for special education, paired with the fact
that EMU has the largest department of special education
in the nation, made the University an easy choice for Karen
Martindale.
"Ideally, I would like to teach middle school," said Martindale. "I
love that age. You really start to work with coping and
learning skills."
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Martindale |
This passion started in sixth grade for Martindale. During
her study hall and lunch periods, she would help other
students — who had severe multiple impairments — with feeding.
Her primary focus was to help with motor and language skills.
It was during her time in high school that she developed
an interest in autism.
"It's really different from other disabilities," said
Martindale. "Autistic kids can be really brilliant kids.
I like them because they are smart; they can't always communicate
it or show it."
The size of EMU's campus was another reason she decided
to come here. Martindale knew she didn't want to go to
a college where one has to take a bus to get to class.
She enjoys being able to walk across campus in 10 minutes.
"I really like the smaller classes," said Martindale of
the Honors College courses. "You get to know everybody."
Martindale is currently a team captain for this year's
Relay for Life. She started participating in the event
in high school but, this year, she's taking it one step
further.
"A big part of being team captain is getting people motivated
and organizing fundraisers," said Martindale.
Wesley Fritzemeier (Chelsea, Mich.)
Wesley Fritzemeier, who refers to himself as the "music
guy," decided to attend EMU because of the University's
music education program.
"I know a lot of the teachers here and, when I came, I
felt like this place wanted me," said Fritzemeier.
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Fritzmeier |
Music always has been a part of Fritzemeier's life. His
dad is the orchestra director at Chelsea High School, the
school Fritzmeier attended. He has been playing the violin
for 14 years, the drums for two years and he just started
to learn the double bass.
In high school, Fritzemeier participated in orchestra,
show choir, tennis and played the electric bass in a cover
band with friends. He spent his summers at orchestra camps
as a counselor/teacher. Fritzemeier said he was around
music all of the time.
"It was a natural progression," said Fritzemeier of his
decision to pursue teaching. "I really enjoy teaching and
being around kids or peers. It is really fun. Music is
a good thing."
His life at EMU is as full of music as ever. Fritzemeier
said he "lives" in the music building and is playing in
the orchestra and jazz band. He also is taking a jazz combo
course.
"It's a fully improvisational class where you go and you
play old jazz songs with fellow students." said Fritzemeier. "The
whole point is to work on improvisation and give a new
face to an old tune."
As for his future, Fritzemeier wants to possibly teach
high school or go on to pursue his doctorate. He also plans
on playing in a band.
Haley Seeley (Lakewood, Ohio)
Haley Seeley loves to talk to people and hear about their
problems, which makes a major in psychology a good match
for her.
"I can think about so many times in my life where I just
needed someone to tell me 'it's okay,' that I wasn't the
only one out there that felt that way. That's what I want
to do for other people," Seeley said. "Just make them understand
that we've all been where they are and they can get through
it. That's why I really want to help people."
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Seeley |
Her sorority sisters have made the transition from her
all-girls Catholic high school in Ohio to EMU easier. Seeley
is a member of Sigma Kappa.
"I just feel like I've really found the girls I fit in
with," said Seeley. "It's introduced me to more things
I can do on campus."
Seeley said that she does a lot of philanthropy work with
the sorority that keeps her busy and connected. Belonging
to Sigma Kappa has made EMU feel like home for her.
Having a lot on her plate isn't something Seeley had to
adjust to. In high school, she was a member of the yearbook
and newspaper staffs, Earth Club, played on an intramural
basketball team and worked at an ice cream shop. She also
babysat for her three younger siblings.
Despite her hectic schedule, Seeley scored a 32 on her
ACT and graduated with a 3.8 GPA.
