Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of three articles profiling Eastern Michigan University's 14 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, 14 students were found deserving of the honor. Profiles of the second five are provided below.
Jose Galinato (Saline, Mich.)
Moving to the United States only six years ago, Jose Galinato has found a surprisingly comfortable home at Eastern Michigan. The scholarship had a significant impact on his decision to settle at EMU, but he also is close to home and his father received a master's degree in economics from EMU.
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Galinato |
"I didn't think I would like being here as much as I do," he said. "It's a close community here. When I walk to class, I know people walking by."
A born leader, it is not surprising that Galinato has already become involved around campus by joining student government and a fraternity.
"Being in student government, I want to be a good voice around campus and raise issues for awareness," he said.
This nursing major hopes to organize a men's crew team. He plans to talk with the women's crew team to determine if men have an interest in forming a team.
Galinato has truly enjoyed his English class because he likes writing and they do a lot of public research.
"We get to observe people and it's really interesting," he said.
Based on a passion for helping others, Galinato dreams of becoming a nurse anesthetist.
"I always want to challenge myself and working as a nurse anesthetist is another way of challenging myself," he said.
Erin Greenblat (Oregon, Ohio)
Erin Greenblat came to Eastern with the intention of being a big fish in a small pond.
"Coming to a smaller school, I was happy about being able to interact with my professors more," Greenblat said.
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Greenblat |
Greenblat has not wasted time getting involved around campus. She has joined Hillel, with hopes of getting an internship next year; the leadership advisory board in Downing Hall; and the sorority Alpha Gamma Delta.
"I believe that involvement in Greek life helps you be a good leader and get more involved around campus. Plus, I have five little brothers and no sisters, so I'm hoping to finally have some sisters," said Greenblat.
Raised Jewish, Greenblat has appreciated her "Culture and the Holocaust" course because she has been given an opportunity to learn about her heritage.
Currently, she has not declared a major, but she is contemplating Spanish, communications and psychology. She knows that she wants to travel the world to better understand different cultures and people.
"I want a job that I love going to every day, where I can help people in the world in some way," she said.
When talking about her time at Eastern, she said, "I have really enjoyed everything about EMU: the campus, people, dorms and organizations."
Abdalkareem Hatahet (Ypsilanti, Mich.)
Eastern Michigan University is no stranger to this scholar. Not only did he grow up just down the street, Abdalkareem Hatahet's sister and cousin both attend EMU.
"When I received the scholarship, my decision was finalized because I was already planning to go here," he said.
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Hatahet |
Hatahet has decided to follow in his father's footsteps and eventually wants to become a surgeon. While he is not completely settled on what type of surgery he will specialize in, he has always found cardiovascular health interesting.
"Maybe a cardiothoracic surgeon, a heart doctor," he explained.
Hatahet considers himself a good friend — someone who likes to bond with others and who appreciates the close connections he shares with people. This quality will certainly be useful as a surgeon when a bedside manner is needed.
In addition to his grueling study schedule, Hatahet works at a local pharmacy. While enjoying Eastern as much as possible, Hatahet feels he hasn't received the full college experience because of his busy lifestyle.
"I have been so busy that I need one more semester to get comfortable. Then, I can start joining things around campus and becoming more active," he said.
Caroline Horste (Waterford, Mich.)
Listening to Caroline Horste describe herself as "really, really shy" would probably shock people around her.
"I'm intimidated by a lot of people, I'm afraid they're going to think I'm stupid," said Horste.
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Horste |
Scoring a 34 on the ACT exam, with a perfect 36 in the reading and English portions, "stupid" does not come to mind when describing Horste and her achievements. She applied to more than a dozen universities and did not receive one rejection letter.
"I was nervous about coming to Eastern at first, because most of my decision to come here was based on the scholarship," she said.
As soon as she moved in, everything fell into place and she was surprised at how comfortable she was with her decision. After coping with a string of tragedies, Horste found a comfort at Eastern that she didn't expect.
"The administration and the students have been so supportive and understanding. It is just so humbling and gratifying to have that support," she said. "I didn't anticipate people being so helpful, supportive and caring; everyone really surprised me."
Horste is passionate about biology, but thinks chemistry is more practical. She is intrigued by the way things around her work. With dreams of working for a company to increase green standards and improve the environment, her desire for knowledge is evident.
"My greatest ambition is to learn everything I can and use it to illuminate the lives of those around me," she said.
William Joesten (Temperance, Mich.)
William Joesten was not confident that EMU was the place for him. Even after the initial tour, he was not convinced. He was more interested in the University of Michigan and Ferris State University — until he met with Susan Anderson from the Honors College.
"I spent a day with Susan Anderson, sitting in on class lectures, having lunch with students and seeing things I hadn't seen during my first tour. After the day was over, my decision was made," Joesten said.
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Joesten |
He couldn't be happier with his decision.
"I'm having an absolute blast here. My classes and professors are the best," he said.
Joesten came to EMU for a biology-chemistry degree with the intent to conduct advanced biology research or work in the field of biomedical engineering. He intends to help diabetics, like himself, by researching and developing cures through cutting-edge technology.
Being a diabetic doesn't stop Joesten from anything. Aside from spending time studying, he is actively involved in band and Gang Green. When Joesten finds down time, he picks up a book. Science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, anything; he has a collection of novels in his dorm room.
Since he rarely goes to bed before 2 a.m., Joesten decided to earn some extra cash working Night Watch in Downing Hall. He works shifts anywhere between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m., checking students' IDs when they enter the building.
"I'm making money, working on homework and getting to know people while I'm working. I practically know everyone in Downing because of Night Watch," he said.
