The University of Southern Indiana’s Office of Admission has announced the Presidential Scholarship recipients for 2015-2016. Ten incoming freshmen from Indiana receive Presidential Scholarships.
Selected students ranked first or second in their graduating classes, and participated in a competitive interview process.
The 2015-2016 Presidential Scholars are Tyler Abbott of Winamac, Maria Anderson of Evansville, Katherine Blanke of Newburgh, Olivia Harrison of Plainfield, Cassidy Helms of Cannelburgh ,Chelsea Hochstetler of Chandler, Nehal Ninad of Newburgh, Kelsey Stickler of Depauw, Jacquelyn Tussinger of Bringhurst, and Darcy White of Greenwood.
Tyler Abbott is recipient of the Linda and H. Ray Hoops Endowed Presidential Scholarship. His parents are Dean and Kathy Abbott. He graduated from Winamac Community High School and plans to major in international studies or political science.
Maria Anderson is recipient of the Escalade Presidential Scholarship. Anderson is the daughter of Ralph and Andie Anderson and graduated from Reitz Memorial High School. She plans on majoring in Biology/pre-medicine.
Katherine Blanke is recipient of the Bill & Trudy Mitchell Endowed Presidential Scholarship. Blanke is the daughter of William and Julie Blanke and graduated from Castle High School. She will be a nursing major at USI.
Olivia Harrison is recipient of the Henry W. and Helen N. Ruston Endowed Presidential Scholarship. Her parents are Tim and Marsha Harrison, and she graduated from Bethsola Christian High School. She plans to major in occupational therapy or special education.
Cassidy Helms is to receive the Ray and Mary Pelle Goebel Endowed Presidential Scholarship. She is the daughter of Darren and Tina Helms. She graduated from Barr-Reeve High School. She plans to major in journalism and public relations.
Chelsea Hochstetler is recipient of the Hafer Associates PC Presidential Scholarship. Her parents are Daniel and Janice Hochstetler, and she graduated from Castle High School. Hochstetler will be an engineering major at USI.
Nehal Ninad is recipient of the Aline Nunn Renner Endowed Presidential Scholarship. Ninad is the son of Sumantra Kumar and Shilpi Gupta and graduated from Castle High School. He is considering majoring in biology, math, or chemistry.
Jacquelyn Tussinger is recipient of Robert E. and Judith A. Griffin Endowed Presidential Scholarship. Her parents are Brian and Cindy Tussinger, and she graduated from Carrol Junior-Senior High School. She plans to major in pre-occupational therapy.
Kelsey Stickler will receive the Fifth Third Bank Endowed Presidential Scholarship. Stickler is the daughter of Kristi and Jeff Stickler, and she graduated from North Harrison High School. She will major in pre-medicine.
Darcy White is recipient of the W. Paul and Mildred Torrington Endowed Presidential Scholarship. She is the daughter of Anthony and Cynthia White and graduated from Greenwood Community High School. White plans to major in biology/pre-medicine.
Presidential scholarships are awarded to Indiana valedictorians and salutatorians of senior high school classes. Applicants must attend a state-commissioned high school in Indiana and earn an SAT score of 1200 (without writing component) or 1800 (with writing component), or an ACT composite score of 27.
Scholars must maintain full-time continuous enrollment in each regular semester, with a minimum of 30 semester hours successfully completed each academic year.
Students who want to apply for 2016-2017 USI Presidential Scholarships should submit an application, along with related admission materials and most recent high school transcript, by January 15, 2013.
Presidential scholarships are funded by private donors to the USI Foundation. The program began in 1988 as an initiative to bring outstanding Indiana students to USI.