Huntington University awards Presidential Scholarships
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, February 5, 2009
Huntington, Ind.-Forty-eight future Huntington University students were awarded a Presidential Scholarship of $7,000 during the eighth annual Presidential Scholar Celebration Day on Feb. 6. Some of these students received an additional Colloquium Scholarship of $1,500. The Presidential and Colloquium Scholarships at Huntington University are the highest honors bestowed on an incoming student. Learn More:
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Academic criteria for the Presidential Scholarship are a 3.6 grade point average and either a 1250 SAT or 28 ACT score. The additional Colloquium Scholarship is awarded to students who achieve a 1320 SAT or 31 ACT score. The Presidential and Colloquium scholarships can continue to be awarded annually throughout the student's academic career at Huntington University if he or she continues to demonstrate high achievement.
The Celebration Day provided an opportunity for the Presidential Scholars and their families to learn more about the experiences of other high-achieving students at Huntington University and to meet with faculty within their chosen academic divisions. Scholarship recipients also met with current students, recent alumni, and university staff members to gain insights about degree programs, internship opportunities, campus life and the integration of faith and learning.
During the Presidential Scholar Luncheon, each recipient was introduced by Dr. Norris Friesen, vice president and dean of the university, and presented with a certificate by Dr. Ann McPherren, interim president of the university.
The following individuals were recognized as Presidential Scholars and will receive a scholarship of $7,000. Those denoted with an asterisk (*) will receive the additional $1,500 Colloquium Scholarship:
Editor's Note: Click thumbnail images below for high-resolution photos of Dr. Ann McPherren, interim president of Huntington University, congratulating each scholarship recipient.
Shanay Anderson*
Anderson was born in Rapid City, S.D., but now lives in Ballwin, Mo. She attends Marquette High School where she is involved with the National Art Honor Society, dance club and art club. Outside of school, she volunteers for St. Joseph's Institute of the Deaf, is a neighborhood cleanup volunteer and a cleaning volunteer at Holy Infant School. Anderson enjoys reading, sketching and writing and wants to major in digital media arts.
Peter Lloyd Banfe Jr.
Banfe, born in Maryland, now lives in Ostrander, Ohio. He is homeschooled and is a worship leader, is involved in youth group at his church, and also works at the local food pantry. He has been on mission trips to Mexico and Europe and even recorded his own CD. Banfe plans to major in missions and minor in music and says that anywhere he can work for Christ would be a dream job.
Heath Barron*
Barron is from Milan, Ohio. He attends Edison High School where he has been in choir, show choir, band, drama club, student council, Spanish club, Key Club and National Honor Society. Barron also has won the Student of the Month award at Edison High School. In addition, he attends youth group, is on the church praise and worship band, and has been on summer work mission trips. He is employed as the organist at his church. Barron plans to major in math education and would like to go into math or compose scores to movies or videogames.
Rachel Batdorff
Batdorff attends Norwell High School and lives in Bluffton, Ind. She has been busy with cheerleading, soccer, track, student council, yearbook, newspaper, National Honor Society, and being a freshman mentor. She also teaches Sunday school, coaches Upward Cheerleading, attends youth group, and volunteers for the children's program at his church. She also enjoys ballet and lyrical dancing, 4-H and writing. Batdorff will major in journalism and says her dream job is wherever God places her.
Isaac Beal*
Beal is from Greenfield, Ind., where he attends Greenfield-Central High School and has been involved with soccer, basketball, track, Student Leadership Academy, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society. Beal won the Mel Garland Award and was All-Conference in soccer. He also attends youth group, is a counselor at Rainbow Christian Camp, and volunteers at soccer camps. Beal is undecided about his major.
Cara Bolley
Bolley is from Defiance, Ohio. She has been in swimming, choir, math team, Jets, Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, musicals, variety shows, National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society at Ayersville High School. Outside of school, she has been involved with youth group, 4-H, mission trips, Bible schools, True Love Waits and Youth for Christ. Bolley wants to major in digital media arts and would like to work for a Christian animation.
Megan Cadwallader
Cadwallader attends Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Ind., and has been involved with volleyball, art club, Spanish, Key Club and National Honor Society. She also attends a Bible study and volunteers. She enjoys being outdoors, listening to music, reading, writing, making art and studying apologetics. Cadwallader plans to double major in Biblical studies and missions and would like to one day become a missionary or an interpreter.
James Christoffel*
Christoffel is from Angola, Ind. He has stayed busy at Prairie Heights High School with football, track, Leo Club, Peers Educating Peers, and is the National Honor Society vice president. He also has been an Academic All-State nominee. In addition, he is involved with his youth group and Relay for Life. Christoffel would like to major in applied exercise science and eventually own his own physical therapy office.
Joshua Cooley
Cooley is from Byron Center, Mich., where he attends Byron Center High School and has been in football, basketball, baseball, Spanish, and is a graduate of the Strategic Leadership Institute. He is also involved with youth group, mission trips and Upward Basketball. Cooley wants to major in mathematics and would like to be a high school math teacher and a coach.
Jennifer Dado
Dado attends Washington High School in South Bend, Ind. She stays busy with drama club, student council, orchestra, Spell Bowl, Peer Mentors, Quiz Bowl, managing the girls' swim team, and as the National Honor Society president. She is also involved with her youth group, 4-H, teaches Sunday school, leads vacation Bible school, and is a camp counselor. She has been in Girl Scouts for 13 years. Dado is undecided on her major but would love to work with children and possibly in the outdoors.
Emily DeLisle
DeLisle is from Sterling Heights, Mich., and attends Macomb Christians Schools where she has been involved with volleyball, band, Spanish, art, class council and National Honor Society. In addition, she spends time at church youth group, leading small groups, performing benefit concerts with a flute choir, teaching vacation Bible school, going on mission trips and working. DeLisle is majoring in mathematics education and plans to become a high school math teacher.
Ariel Demoret*
Demoret is from Crawfordsville, Ind., where she has been involved with tennis, volleyball, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Leadership Council, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, band, Sunshine Society and student council at Crawfordsville High School. She also spends her time with youth group, youth group leadership council, 4-H, junior leaders, Chrysalis, and she is a waitress at Pizza Hut. In addition, Demoret was chosen to be a Hoosier Girls State alternate, has received the Presidential Scholar Award from her high school for being on High Honor Roll all four years, and also was given an Indiana Math League Award last year. Demoret plans to major in elementary education and possibly double major in Spanish. She would love to be an elementary school teacher somewhere in the southern United States.
Abby Dilling
Dilling attends Twin Lakes High School in Monticello, Ind. She has been involved with golf, softball, Spanish, National Honor Society, and has been a freshman mentor. Dilling is a two-time state champion in travel softball and played in the state golf tournament in 2008. She also stays busy with youth group and as a member of both the youth and the adult worship teams. Dilling plans to major in history education and would like to teach history and be a softball coach.
Bethany Donat*
Donat, born in Sioux Falls, S.D., now lives in Midland, Mich., where she attends Midland High School. She has been in tennis, Student Ambassadors, Key Club, band, orchestra, Model United Nations and National Honor Society. She was nominated as a state soloist on the flute. She also enjoys snowboarding, writing, photography, music and volunteering in her community. Donat plans to major in public relations and would like to work in public relations for a major corporation.
Sarah Dunnavant*
Dunnavant attends Edison High School and lives in Berlin Heights, Ohio. She spends her time in choir, show choir, Key Club, band, drama club, speech and debate, National Honor Society, and Spanish Club. She also is a member of her youth group, a youth worship leader, and has been on a mission trip to Mexico. In addition, she has been named the Berlin Heights Basket Festival Queen. Dunnavant is undecided on her major but would like to become a magazine editor.
Joel Edinger*
Edinger is from Sylvania, Ohio. He is involved with baseball, choir and Young Life at Sylvania Northview High School. Last summer, he served on the work crew at Saranae Village, a Young Life camp in upstate New York. Edinger enjoys fishing and both watching and playing sports. He plans to major in math education and would like to be a high school math teacher after he graduates.
Christopher Fox*
Fox is from Fort Wayne, Ind., where he attends Northrop High School and has been involved with soccer, basketball, orchestra and National Honor Society. He also attends youth group, plays club soccer, and coaches youth soccer and basketball. Fox plans to major in pre-medicine and would like, upon completion of medical school, to help patients in impoverished areas.
Keely Geringer
Geringer comes from Wauseon, Ohio, where she attends Pettisville High School and has been busy with volleyball, basketball, track, softball, Quiz team, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, yearbook, newspaper, drama, class secretary, elementary student mentor, an office worker, and hosting a foreign exchange student. Geringer plans to major in graphic design and wants to have a career that she enjoys and where she can use her creativity.
Natasha Goetz*
Goetz was born in Okinawa, Japan, but now lives in Adrian, Mich., where she attends Lenawee Christian School. There she is involved with band, drama, and is on the service team. She is currently a National Merit semi-finalist. Outside of school, she is a page at the local library, a member of West Rome Baptist Church and is in the choir there. She also has been to Chicago and Mexico on mission trips. Goetz plans to major in theatre and would like to become a professional director or a director for a drama ministry.
Adam Green*
Green is from Brownsburg, Ind., and stays busy with homeschooling, fencing, piano, Teen Pact and Generation Joshua. He also plays the keyboard in the worship band at his church, is involved with his youth group, and is an Eagle Scout. Green hopes that with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry, he can attend a graduate school and earn his Ph.D. so that he can enter either the research or the medical field.
Jamon Hammel*
Hammel lives in Huntington, Ind., and is involved with baseball, peer tutoring, Student Athletic Board, freshman mentoring and Spanish. He also spends his time with a local anti-drug coalition effort called Play Smart. Hammel is currently undecided on his major but is interested in both business and political science and would like to become a manager of a political company, sports franchise, or a Fortune 500 company.
Luke Hofsommer
Hofsommer is from Middleburg, Ind., where he attends Northridge High School and has played basketball and baseball for four years and been in choir for two years. He enjoys spending time with his friends and family, going to youth group and playing the drums at church. Hofsommer plans to major in business and then run a business or work on Wall Street.
Ethan Kattau
Kattua lives in Huntington, Ind., and attends Huntington North High School. He has been in jazz band, volleyball and National Honor Society. He also has served as the photographer for the school newspaper. Kattau has received three Gold Keys and a Certificate of Merit award for his photography. In addition, he is a part of Rotary club, leads worship at the 509 Community and is in a couple of bands. Kattau will major in biblical studies.
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Rachel Kearney
Kearney was born as a twin in Anchorage, Alaska, but now lives in Marion, Iowa, where she attends Linn-Mar High School. She has been involved with basketball, track, cross country, volleyball, Teens Reaching Youth, choir, National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is also busy with youth group, worship team and mission trips to Mexico. Kearney plans to major in journalism and would like to use her talents to glorify God and to be used by Him.
Jordan Klopfenstein
Klopfenstein attends Pettisville High School in Pettisville, Ohio. He has been involved in soccer, basketball, baseball and band for four years. He was BBC Honorable Mention in baseball his sophomore year and BBC Second Team his junior year. He also has been in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, choir, jazz band, student council, Noteworthy and National Honor Society. Klopfenstein has served as class president for four years. In addition, he is involved with his youth group, youth council and Angel Food Ministries. Klopfenstein intends to major in business with a concentration in accounting. He would like to be a small business owner.
Joshua Kontur*
Kontur is from Northfield, Ohio, where he attends Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. He has been involved with soccer, Latin, Junior Classical League and Future Business Leaders of America. He is a National Merit student and received cum laude on the National Latin Exam. Kontur also uses his time to lead a small group of middle-school students and brought "Feed My Starving Children" to his school. He has been on a couple of mission trips, one to the East Coast and the other to Cameroon. Kontur plans to major in applied exercise science with a minor in missions and would like to become a doctor who travels to other countries.
Christina Joelle Kriebel*
Kriebel attends Frontier High School in Brookston, Ind., and has stayed busy with softball, choir, Spanish Quiz Bowl, prom committee, Sunshine Society, Midwest Math Contest, Midwest Writing Contest and a summer musical. She is also a National Merit semi-finalist. In addition, Kriebel uses her time to attend youth group and Bible study, as well as volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center and the YMCA Domestic Violence Shelter. She also has been to Mexico, Russia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia on mission trips. Kriebel will major in missions and would like to do mission work in a developing country.
Keifer Lucchi
Lucchi is from Olathe, Kan., and is the oldest of five children. Until two years ago, his family lived as missionaries in the Czech Republic. Lucchi is homeschooled and busy with praise band, dance, theater, writing novels and being in a contemporary rock band. He also leads a Bible study once a week and volunteers at the local food pantry. Lucchi wants to double major in digital video cinema and music business. He would like to become the head of a new arts school, teaching music, theater, film and dance as well as writing to the next generation of students.
Jonathan McCleery
McCleery was born in Elizabethton, Tenn., but now lives in Zeeland, Mich., where he attends Zeeland East High School. He grew up as a missionary child in Ecuador for 12 years, and then his family spent a year in Costa Rica as missionaries. He has been busy with football, track, basketball, National Honor Society, youth group, Bible studies, and mission trips to Boston, Washington, D.C., and Trinidad. McCleery plans to major in either sports and recreation ministry or youth ministry and wants to do whatever the Lord has planned for him.
Stephanie Medlock*
Medlock attends Worthington Christian High School and lives in Lewis Center, Ohio, where she has played soccer, been a part of National Honor Society, and has won a foreign language award. She is interested in ministry and missions and would like to become a middle school or high school Bible teacher and also work with a local youth group.
Bradley Miller
Miller is from Fort Wayne, Ind., although he was born in Michigan. He stays busy with participating in the marching band at Homestead High School and also has been in the Fort Wayne Youth Chorale for four years. In addition, he attends youth group, is a part of the children's ministry at his church and leads a prayer team for his youth group. Miller enjoys both math and Bible studies but is undecided as to his major.
Heather Millington
Millington is from Fort Wayne, Ind., where she is homeschooled. In 2001, she founded a non-profit organization raising funds to purchase stuffed animals for underprivileged children. She has donated more than 600 new stuffed animals to several charities. She also has been involved with Bible quizzing, drama, skits and talent competitions as well as church volunteer work. Millington plans to major in psychology and earn her master's degree in counseling. She would like to become involved with Child Life, an organization that works with young hospital patients and their siblings. She also would like to own a ranch for abused and neglected animals and children. One of the main reasons she wants to pursue these goals is because her sister has special needs, and as children, both she and her sister worked with a child life specialist, and she wants to help make a difference for others.
Linnea Nelson
Nelson, one of eight children, was born in Denver, Col., but now lives in Gladstone, Mo. She is homeschooled and enjoys music, soccer, softball, activities with her family, and going to the $2 movie theater. She stays busy with softball, jazz band, youth group and teaching music lessons. She is also a nursery worker at her church and is an Inner City Summer Camp volunteer. Nelson plans to major in music education and would like to teach music to young children.
Rachel Peery
Peery is from Goshen, Ind., where she attends Fairfield Junior/Senior High School. She has been active with National Honor Society for two years and is currently the president. She also has participated in the Art Honor Society for four years, and she is president of that organization. Peery has traveled to many places: Mexico for a youth mission trip, Costa Rica for a class trip, and England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales through an educational organization called People to People. Peery plans to double major in nursing and Spanish and would like to be a neonatal nurse at a local hospital.
Ashley Pifer
Pifer was born in Anchorage, Alaska, but now lives Sylvania, Ohio, where she attends Sylvania North High School. She has stayed busy with speech and debate, drama club, choir, Northview Theatre, Harmony Roadshow, National Thespian Society and French National Honor Society. She also is involved with youth group, volunteering in the church nursery, ministering to fourth and fifth graders at church, karate and children's theater. In addition, Pifer works with PEACE, or Protecting Every Abused Child Everywhere, and has participated in mission trips to New York, Guatemala and Gabon, Africa. She would like to have a large family one day of mostly adopted children. Pifer plans to double major in theatre design/technology and missions. She would like to either be a missionary in Africa or a head scenic designer for a major Hollywood film.
Daniel Plouffe*
Plouffe is from Haverhill, Mass., where he is homeschooled. He has been on the speech and debate team, a leader of youth group and Sunday school, a volunteer for Somebody Cares New England, and is an Eagle Scout. He has been on a mission trip to Mexico with the aid of Living Waters for the World and is planning to travel to the Dominican Republic sometime this summer. Plouffe plans to major in digital media arts and would like to work for a major animation company.
Rebekah Randale
Randale lives in Fairfield, Ohio, and attends Cincinnati Christian Schools where she has been involved in both drama and handbells for four years as well as band and choir for two years. In 2008, Randale received the Academic Excellence Award for High School Vocal Music at her school. This is an honor because it is only given to one student per year. She is also very active in her church where she attends youth group and assists with both Awana and Kids with a Mission children's programs. In addition, she is active with the church music department. Randale plans to go into music where she would like to end up on Broadway.
Derek Ressler*
Ressler attends Kidron Central Christian High School in Apple Creek, Ohio. He has been involved at school with soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis, jazz band, choir, math competitions, a musical, and being a class officer. He also has received the Todd Neuenschwander Memorial Scholarship, which honors academic achievement, athletics and integrity. Outside of school, he is involved with his church youth group, Y-Lead, the worship team at his church, and going on mission trips. Ressler would like to major in applied exercise science and one day coach basketball or soccer at the collegiate level, be a personal trainer or be a trainer for a major sports team.
Valerie Rice
Rice is from Lenawee Christian School in Adrian, Mich. She is involved with choir, National Honor Society, high school worship team and an afterschool program called Big Buddies Little Buddies. She also attends youth group, has been a summer camp counselor and has been on a mission trip to Mexico. She enjoys music, helping people and shopping. Rice plans to major in psychology and work in the psychology field, possibly as a Christian counselor.
Victoria Rowe*
Rowe attends Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., where she has been involved with basketball, Fellowship of Christian Athletes as both the founder and captain and National Honor Society as the treasurer. Outside of school, she volunteers at Sen. Richard Lugar's Community Center, is her church's community service event leader and organizer, a camp counselor and a worship leader. She also has been on a mission trip to Poland. Rowe plans to major in social work and go on to earn her Master of Social Work degree and then attend law school. She wants to become a social worker and lobbyist for social policy.
Emily Schubert*
Schubert is from Medina, Ohio, where she has been active in theater, French, Key Club and Academic Challenge at Highland High School. She also is a National Merit semi-finalist. Schubert attends youth group, is in the drama group and worship band at church, and plays the violin. In addition, she has been on mission trips to Brooklyn, N.Y.; Mount Vernon, Ky.; and Kiln, Mich. Schubert plans to major in communication and would like to combine acting and mission work.
Shelby Schulz
Schulz is from Allegan, Mich., where she attends Allegan High School and has been involved with tennis and was named to the Division III First Team All-State three years in a row. In addition, she has participated in volleyball, softball, Fellowship of Christian Students, Spanish club and National Honor Society. She also has served as a class officer. Schulz coaches third and fourth grade girls' basketball, is a tutor for middle school and high school students, and baby-sits. She has been named a "Good Citizen" by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Schulz wants to major in elementary education and would love to teach first or second grade and also coach high school tennis and volleyball in a small town.
Rachel Simonton
Simonton was born in Davenport, Iowa, but now lives in Columbus, Ind., where she is the oldest of four children who have always been homeschooled. She played on the varsity volleyball team for four years, played the alto saxophone in band for three years, and also sang in the choir for two years. In addition, she is involved in her church youth group, leads a small group of first through fourth grade girls, and helps lead music for the first through sixth grade program once a month. Simonton plans to major in family and children's ministries and would like to go on to become a children's minister and then later on be a stay-at-home mom.
Kara Sipe
Sipe attends Blackhawk Christian School in Fort Wayne, Ind., and is in tennis and National Honor Society. She is also involved in her youth group, volunteers with Blessing in a Backpack, and has been on mission trips to Costa Rica and Serbia. Sipe will major in psychology and wants to become a counselor who works with teenage girls.
Katie Spencer
Spencer is from Racine, Wis., where she attends Christian Life High School and has been involved with soccer, Spanish, cheerleading, student government, yearbook, National Honor Society, and as a stat keeper for the basketball team. She also spends her time at youth group, in youth choir at church, volunteering at the Shaloam Center, working part time, and starting an organization called Students Against Poverty. Spencer plans to major in biology on the pre-medicine path. Her dream job is to be a neonatologist to help babies and their families through difficult times in their lives. She also would enjoy being a youth pastor.
Jessica Sweeney
Sweeney is from Blissfield, Mich., but was born in Toledo, Ohio. She attends Lenawee Christian School and has been on both the cheerleading squad and the debate team. The debate team earned first place in the country, and Sweeney was in the top five debate speakers in the U.S. She is also an assistant coach for Upward Cheerleading and has been on a mission trip to Mexico. Sweeney plans to major in elementary education and would like to either be a kindergarten teacher or a teacher for the deaf and/or hard of hearing.
Valerie Van Ee
Van Ee is from Parkview, Iowa, where she attends North Scott High School. There she has been involved with track and field, various choirs, chess club, Spanish and Lancer Production. Outside of school, she participates in youth group and is in the youth group worship band. She has been an Awana leader and is on the Sunday media team. Van Ee also has been on mission trips to Slidell, La., and Mexico. She enjoys art, archery, reading, computer programming, Spanish and math. Van Ee plans to major in digital media arts and minor in Spanish and would like to become an animator working in film production.
Erin Yoder
Yoder is from Leo, Ind., where she attends Leo Junior/Senior High School and has been involved with National Honor Society for three years has been on the Principal's Honor Roll every year. She also is involved with youth group and Mime Time at her church. In addition, she volunteers at Rescue Mission and has been a member of Restored Glory Dance Ministry. She has been on three mission trips to Montreat, Quebec, and to Chicago, Ill., another time. Yoder plans to major in nursing and would like to work as a labor and delivery nurse or in a pediatrician's office.
