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Twenty new students win $40,000 Medallion Scholarships

June 17, 2010

KALAMAZOO--Twenty freshmen have won coveted Medallion Scholarships to begin their studies at Western Michigan University this fall. Medallion Scholarships are among the highest honors WMU can bestow on an incoming freshman. Valued at $40,000 each over four years, they constitute one of the largest merit-based awards in American higher education.

Ten of this year's incoming scholars received a Presidential Medallion Scholarship. The remaining 10 scholars received awards that bear the names of their scholarships' donors or the individuals for whom the scholarships were established. The 2010 recipients were announced in June. The students were selected after competing in the 27th annual Medallion Scholarship Program Competition and will be honored during an awards program in the fall.

The daylong competition included essay writing and group problem solving activities and an informational session for the participants' parents. A total of 730 seniors from across Michigan and the United States participated in the event. Invitations to compete were based on a combination of grade point averages and ACT scores, and were extended to students who had applied to WMU by Dec. 4, 2009. Students participating in the competition were guaranteed at least a $3,000 Dean's Scholarship to attend WMU.

This year's Medallion Scholars have an average ACT score of 29.3 and a grade point average of 4.045. They will begin their studies at WMU in the fall and are scheduled to graduate during the 2013-14 academic year.

For more information about Medallion Scholarships, contact Christopher Voss, Medallion coordinator, at christopher.voss@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2051.

2010 Medallion Scholars

Alexandria S. Alarcon of Midland, Mich., received the Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in world studies. She graduated from Midland High School and was a member of the National Art Honor Society, serving as its vice president and treasurer. She also was a member of the Environmental Club, Key Club and the varsity golf team. She volunteered for the annual "A Night to Remember" dinner and dance for disabled persons, the Open Door food pantry and soup kitchen, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Tacy Allan of Kentwood, Mich., received the Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in Latin. She graduated from East Kentwood High School and was a member of the marching and concert bands the past four-years. Allan also was a member of Model UN, Grand Rapids Original Swing Society, National Junior Classical League and the Michigan Junior Classical League, the United Stewardship Alliance, Kentwood Youth Commission, Raising Concern Benefits People, Service Coalition, Teen Institute, Jazz Band, and East Kentwood Swing Dancing Club. She tutored middle school students in math, was a volunteer at Challenger Elementary School's library and a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Aquatic Center.

Cheyenne E. J. Bolt of Port Huron, Mich., received the Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation Endowed Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in theatre performance and language. She graduated from Port Huron High School, where she served as president of the Drama Club and was a member of the National Honor Society, the marching band and Spanish Club. She has been active in her community as a piano player for the Unity Church of Blue Water and the Port Huron Civic Theatre.

Abigail M. Cameron of Oxford, Mich., received the Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in chemical engineering. She graduated from Oakland Christian School. A member of the National Honor Society for two years, Cameron played the French horn in the school band for four years, was a pianist and vocalist for the school praise band for two years and was involved in school theatre performances throughout her high school career. She volunteered for community service projects through Servathon, served meals to the homeless through several area organizations, and was a member of her church's brass ensemble.

Andrew Campbell of Farmington Hills, Mich., received the Theodore B. and Karen S. Stone Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in aeronautical engineering. A graduate of Detroit Catholic Central High School, Campbell won departmental awards for English and theology. He is a member of the National Honor Society and was a member of the varsity track and field and football teams. He also was a math and reading tutor and worked at the Detroit Science Fair.

Kaitlyn N. Cichocki-Goss of Muskegon, Mich., received the Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in nursing. She was noted for having perfect attendance throughout her Muskegon High School career. She was co-president of Student Leadership and member of the National Honor Society. During high school, she was active in the Big Red Marching Band, Wind Symphony, varsity soccer team and Girl Scouts. She also was a YMCA youth soccer instructor and a member of the Salesian Handbell Choir.

Samantha J. Clark of Whitmore Lake, Mich., received the Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in English secondary education. A graduate of Whitmore Lake High School, Clark was Key Club president and a member of the National Honor Society and the school choir. She also was a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, a writer for the Trojournal school newspaper and editor for Trojan Talk, the school broadcast station. She volunteered for UNICEF, the Ronald McDonald House and school science fairs.

Nathan R. Conrad of Coloma, Mich., received the Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in engineering. A graduate of Coloma High School, he is the recipient of the Principal's Award and won an All-Conference Academic Team Athletic Award for all four years. He also received his school's spirit and academic certificates, an All-state Academic Achievement Award, academic letter and Ninth Grade Achievement Award. Besides the National Honor Society, Conrad was a member of numerous groups including the men's golf team, Robotic Team, Science Olympiad, Spanish Club, Academic Challenge Team and HAMM Radio Club. He served as Student Council treasurer.

Mary J. Davis of Trenton, Mich., received the Richard F. and Carolyn A. Curtis Chormann Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in secondary education and social studies. Davis graduated from Trenton High School, where she earned academic recognition from Phi Beta Kappa. She was a member of the Spanish Club, Interact Club and Spanish Honor Society. She was involved in choir and musical theater and volunteered at Gleaners Community Food Bank.

Kelsi D. Feriend of Saginaw, Mich., received the Professor Emily P. and Richard A Hoffman Endowed Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in industrial and entrepreneurial engineering. A graduate of Carrollton High School, Feriend was a member of the Student Council and held positions of class president, Class treasurer, student body treasurer and student body president. She also was a member of the National Honor Society; varsity softball, volleyball, and sideline cheerleading teams; school Leadership Class; Saginaw County Youth Leadership Institute; varsity debate team; Bi-Phy Chem Club; and the marching, concert and pep bands. Her volunteer efforts included work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and service as school blood drive chair and assistant coach for the seventh-grade volleyball team.

Lindsay A. Fisher of South Haven, Mich., received the Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in chemical engineering. A graduate of South Haven High School, she was the recipient of the Board of Education Award. She was president of student government and a member of the National Honor Society, Youth Enrichment Services, the varsity swim and bowling teams. She also served as chief yearbook editor. She volunteered as a mentor for the South Haven Area Youth Development Program and organized canned food drives and Haiti relief efforts. She was selected as Miss South Haven for 2010.

Roxana L. Gamble of Plymouth, Mich., received the Merze Tate Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in Spanish. A graduate of Plymouth High School, Gamble was a semi-finalist in the National Merit competition, received her academic letter and was a member of the National Honor Society and Gay-Straight Alliance. She also was captain of the Improvisational Comedy Club and a member of Thespian Troupe 354. She has been active in dance, theatre and vocal groups and was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall this past April. She was a Spanish tutor for freshman and sophomore students, volunteered for the Canton Pubic Library and collected items for Latino Family Services in Detroit.

Chelsea R. Jackle of Clinton Township, Mich., received the Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in exercise science. A graduate of Chippewa Valley High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society, Macomb Area Conference All-Academic Team, Peer Mediation, Key Club, Captain's Club and varsity dance team. She has volunteered through the NHS and had the honor of her photography being featured in the Macomb County Secondary Student Art Show. She was an assistant dance teacher for a local studio.

Hannah M. Lantzer of Kalkaska, Mich., received the Gwen Frostic Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in public relations. A graduate of Traverse City Christian High School, Lantzer was Class Council president and vice president and a member of the National Honor Society and Band Council. She was a school yearbook and school newspaper staff member and a member of the varsity soccer, basketball and golf teams. She was named Journalism Student of the Year, Kiwanis International Student of the Month and Commendable Student. She also earned the Academic All-Conference Basketball Award in high school. She was a child mentor, mathematics tutor, American Youth Soccer Organization coach and a volunteer at the Kalkaska Animal Shelter.

Andrew Leandowski of Zimmerman, Minn., received the Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in mathematics and physics. A graduate of Zimmerman High School, Lewndowski was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in Model UN and the Future Educators Club. He also was named Most Outstanding Delegate in the model assembly portion of Youth in Government. During his junior and senior years, his school's principal, vice principals and a small board of teachers appointed him to represent the student body as the school board student representative. He volunteered at a local food shelter, and he volunteered through his church doing highway cleanup and working the church's fall festival.

Taylor P. McKinstry of O'Fallon, Ill., received the Gwen Frostic Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in graphic design and music. A graduate of O'Fallon Township High School, he was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Thespian Society, and he was named an Illinois State Scholar. During high school, he participated in show choir, chamber choir, theatre, Encore Jazz Choir and Madrigals, and he volunteered for a community housing effort called Rebuilding Together.

Kaisa C. Paldan of Kalamazoo received the Western Michigan University Foundation Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in nursing. A graduate of Mattawan High School, she also received the Miss Mattawan Scholarship, Taste of Texas Township Community Service Award and was Homecoming Queen during her senior year. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Peer Assistant Leaders, marching band and symphonic band and she served as Winterguard captain and student leader of Teen Heart. Paldan has been a dancer for 14 years and was a member of the Ballet Arts Ensemble. Her volunteer efforts included work with Girls on the Run, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, March of Dimes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and the Salvation Army. In July 2007, she toured seven European countries in 16 days for the Southwest Michigan Ambassadors of Music.

Brian P. Schiltz of Muskegon, Mich., received the Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in biomedical sciences. A graduate of Reeths-Puffer High School, he was freshman class president and a member of the National Honor Society. He played varsity baseball and junior varsity basketball and was active in school theatre and musicals. As a volunteer, he has worked with the group Straight Talk About Tough Stuff and for the Prince of Peace Youth Group.

William B. Thayer of Kalamazoo received the Gwen Frostic Presidential Medallion Scholarship and plans to be a pre-med major. A graduate of Parchment High School, he was class valedictorian and a National Merit Commended Scholar. He earned the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center's Senior for Excellence in Chemistry Award. In addition, he was treasurer of the National Honor Society and a member of the Legends Drum and Bugle Corps, Parchment Winter Drumline and Parchment bands. He has also taught percussion.

Andrew J. Trevarrow of Kalamazoo received the Harold and Beulah McKee Endowed Medallion Scholarship and plans to major in secondary education, mathematics and English as a second language. A graduate of Potage Central High School, he received the Gold Academic Award and was captain of the varsity tennis team and a member of the German Club, Art Club and Youth Group Band. He also served as a teacher intern. He has worked as a tutor and camp counselor at Pretty Lake Vacation Camp.

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Media contact: Deanne Puca, (269) 387-8400, deanne.puca@wmich.edu

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