Online Edition | Washington State University | Pullman, Washington | Friday, December 14, 2001

Raising the bar
Regents scholars selected
By Barbara Petura, University Advancement

Regents Scholarships, aimed at attracting high-achieving high school seniors to the Pullman campus, hit the mark this week as 25 exceptional students were offered incentives worth $14,000 per year. The prestigious scholarships are renewable for four years, making the package worth $56,000 per student. The offers are part of a new $3 million program aimed at increasing academic quality at the university.

"The program recognizes outstanding seniors by acknowledging their accomplishments and offering them opportunities for significant support toward their education," said President V. Lane Rawlins. "These students, if they choose WSU, will join current students who work side by side with a world-class faculty that cares about their success."

These 25 scholars have a group grade point average of 3.97 and an SAT average of 1300. They include student body presidents and senators, National Honor Society members, National Merit Finalists, musicians, varsity athletes and community volunteers. Their academic interests include mathematics and science, psychology, political science, business, education, law and medicine, among others.

"I think this is a great program," said Bill Cofer, Faculty Senate president. "President Rawlins has emphasized the importance of raising academic standards and I think this is a tangible way to do that. It’s a way of making WSU very attractive to top-level students. Hopefully, it will result in their choosing to come here.

"The faculty think (the importance of ) this is huge, and I believe they are supportive of this program. When you attract the top academic students, it raises the level for everyone. In the classroom, it raises the level particularly through peer interaction."

Regent Scholarship recipients were selected from communities large and small in every region of the state. Puyallup and Vancouver each have two scholars in the group of 25.

High school principals, statewide, nominated nearly 300 seniors for a Regents Scholarship. Every nominee is offered a two-year, $3,000 scholarship to WSU, higher than the level originally announced due to the achievements and potential of these students. One hundred of the Regents Scholarship winners were then considered for an additional $1,000, also renewable a second year. The top 25 were offered four-year, full-ride scholarships.

Each student nominated had to have a minimum 3.8 grade point average. While the top 25 have a 3.97 GPA as a group, the semifinalists have a 3.95 group GPA, and the other nominees have a 3.93 group GPA. Seventy-six students have a 4.0 GPA.

The WSU Regents Scholars Committee also evaluated the students’ academic strengths and interests, leadership capabilities, and extracurricular and community involvement.

The top 25 Regent Scholarships were offered to students from:

• Eastern Washington—Colbert, Dayton, Pomeroy, Rosalia, Spokane and Walla Walla.

• Central Washington—Brewster, Chelan, Grandview, Pasco, Wenatchee and Yakima.

• Western Washington—Auburn, Bellingham, Kirkland, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup (two scholars), Redmond, Renton, Sumner, Vancouver (two scholars) and Woodinville.