New HSU Leland Scholars Named
Dr. Tom Copeland, director of the Hardin-Simmons University Honors Program, announced the names of this year's Leland Scholars. The four freshmen benefit from the bequest of HSU alumna June Frost Leland. Of students who apply for and receive the $6,000 Presidential or Dean's Scholarship, 15 top scholars are selected for the University Honors Program and receive an additional $2,000. The four Leland Scholars receive an additional $5,000 based upon incoming academic record. The total yearly benefit to the Leland Scholars is $13,000. For a student taking a 12-hour per semester load, this is essentially a "full ride" scholarship.
The 2008-2009 Leland Scholars are:
Caleb Cruce, is a native of Leander and the son of Clay and Patricia Cruce. He is a youth ministry and psychology double major. He plans to be a youth minister or professional musician.
Alexandra Townsend-Dokter, from Abilene, is the daughter of HSU alumnus Kelly Townsend. The fine arts/graphic design major would like to become a visual effects artist for a major movie company.
Phoebe Glick, from Amarillo, is the daughter of Cindy Glick. The biology (pre med) major has wanted to be a doctor since she was six, "so it's amazing to finally be on the way to that goal."
Kelsie Nygren, a native of El Paso, is the daughter of Curt and Diana Nygren. The English major began writing fiction when she was twelve years old and hasn't stopped since. One of her works has already been published by a Christian publishing company, and she would love to earn her living writing Christian fantasy. "Some say the novel or newspaper is almost extinct because of the Internet," she says, "I say there is nothing better than the feel of a book that holds untold riches in its pages."
Katie Witmore, is an official military brat. Born in the Netherlands, she comes to HSU from Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, where her parents Eric and Jean Whitmore are stationed and her father serves as an Air Force chaplain. Sister Tori is also in the honors program, so her entire family isn't half a world away. She plans to major in political science, with a minor in missions. She hopes to have a career in international affairs so she can continue to travel and experience new things.
June Frost Leland, a 1940 graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, Six White Horses rider, philanthropist, and Ruidoso, New Mexico, resident, surprised HSU with the largest single gift ever received by the University. A significant portion of the bequest was dedicated to the Honors Program, and the establishment of the Leland Scholars endowment for the Honors Program allows the University to compete each year for larger numbers of top academic performers.
The 15 students selected for the Honors Program in addition to the Leland Scholars are:
Abigail Bailey of Demming, New Mexico; Callie Rankin of Midland/Odessa; Chelsea Steelman of Paris; Courtney Browning of Seymour; Cullen Dees of Canyon; Jeremiah Banks of San Angelo; Lauren Jay of Kingwood; Lyndsay Matthews of Henrietta; Meghan Stearns, of Louisville; Melissa Rosales of Mission; Morgan Rainer of Texarkana; Rebecca Roth of Weatherford; Sarah Shurbet of Pittsburg; Tori Whitemore from Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan; and Travis Tincher from Whitehouse.
Students admitted to the Honors Program receive an honors scholarship for each semester, as long as they are in good standing in the program. The HSU Honors Program provides an enriched educational environment for undergraduate students of exceptional promise who have a wide variety of interests and seek an enhanced learning opportunity. In keeping with the University's Christian mission, the Honors Program promotes creative and critical thinking skills to equip individuals for success in today's world.
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