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Lycoming College welcomes 15 first-year scholarship award winners

Lycoming College welcomes 15 first-year scholarship award winners

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Lycoming College congratulates fifteen first-year students for being named to some of the institution’s most prestigious, merit-based scholarship programs. Each scholarship recipient receives a merit award of $25,000-36,000, as well as a $5,000 stipend to support the completion of an enhanced academic experience of their choosing, such as an internship, faculty-led research, study abroad, or a field experience. These scholar programs provide stipends to empower students to pursue high quality learning and professional experiences that will launch them into meaningful careers and lives following their graduation from Lycoming College.

“Lycoming recognizes the fundamental need to augment classroom learning with real world experiences and established several scholar programs to help ensure that students are equipped for the workforce, graduate school, or another life path,” said Richard “Chip” Hinton, associate vice president for enrollment management. “These Scholar programs come with cash awards to safeguard students against financial obstacles that often interfere with critical learning that extends beyond our campus.”

"Lycoming recognizes the fundamental need to augment classroom learning with real world experiences and established several scholar programs to help ensure that students are equipped for the workforce, graduate school, or another life path."

Past students have utilized these scholar awards to support enhanced academic experiences such as study abroad and internships. The scholarships have even been used by education students completing their student teaching requirement on the Alaskan tundra as part of Rural Alaska Student Teaching Program. Carter Branigan ’24 participated in the American Association of Immunologists Advanced Course in Immunology, using his award to pay for travel related expenses to Boston, saying, “My Skeath scholarship made the entire experience possible – something that would not have been feasible otherwise. As one of the only undergraduate students in the course, I met graduate students, post-docs, and professors who were eager to share their experiences with me. Their advice was invaluable, and as a result, I have decided to pursue the MD-PhD route after I receive my bachelor’s degree.”

Following is an overview of Lycoming College’s scholar initiatives and this year’s recipients:

Frances Knights Skeath STEM Scholars Program

During the past several years, Lycoming has deepened its long-standing commitment to STEM programs and facilities to help ensure our nation’s youth are prepared to research, analyze, and solve some of the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The Frances Knights Skeath STEM Scholars Program advances these ideals by awarding merit-based scholarships to select students planning to major in a STEM field. Skeath Scholars are awarded a stipend of up to $5,000 in support of a STEM-based enhanced academic experience; housing in the first-year STEM Residential Community; enhanced career advising; and mentors. The following first-year students were named Frances Knights Skeath STEM Scholars:

  • Mia Benedetto
  • Taylor Botterbusch
  • Savannah Brooks
  • Nathan Druschel
  • Jordyn Keffer
  • Finnegan Peterson
  • Lewis Rainey
  • Tyler Wetzel
  • Elizabeth Zellers

Wertz Scholars Program

Named for D. Frederick Wertz, who served as Lycoming College president from 1955-1968, the Wertz Scholars Program supports students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school class. The program includes a stipend of up to $5,000 to be used toward an enhanced academic experience — including support for internships, faculty-led research, or global education — during their time at Lycoming. Students also receive the option to reside in the Wertz Scholars First-Year Residential Community, to participate in the Wertz mentor program, and periodic dinners with College administrators in support of career planning. The following first-year students were named Wertz Scholars:

  • Joshua Evans
  • Madelyn Jones
  • Jocelyn McCracken
  • Sara VanReymersdal
  • Angelina Youmans

Entrepreneurship Scholars Program

Added to the curriculum in 2018 as a minor course of study, Lycoming’s entrepreneurship program is designed to complement every student’s major by enhancing their ability to start their own venture or to begin entrepreneurial careers within established companies. The Entrepreneurship Scholars Program recognizes students intending to minor in entrepreneurship who have the passion to find and create value in the world. Entrepreneurship Scholars receive up to $5,000 to be used toward a start-up or other entrepreneurial experience. Students are also invited to special programming and industry events, and receive enhanced faculty and career advising. The following first-year student was named an Entrepreneurship Scholar:

  • Annika Klinefelter