Goshen College announces top leadership scholarship recipients for 2011-12

GOSHEN, Ind. – Today Goshen College announced the recipients of the school's top 2011-12 leadership scholarships.

Twelve college-bound students are being offered the President's Leadership Award (PLA), which is the college's top merit scholarship. The PLA recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in their schools, churches and communities. The award, worth $18,000 per year and $72,000 over four years, includes participation in a leadership program overseen by the Goshen College President, Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student Life. The award is renewable if recipients maintain a 3.5 grade point average during college and contribute 15 hours per semester in the leadership program. The college received 76 applications from prospective students for the PLA.

The 2011 PLA selections, who will receive the scholarship upon enrollment at Goshen College, are:

• Joyce Badertscher of Apple Creek, Ohio, daughter of Jack and Johanna Badertscher, who is graduating from Waynedale High School. She plans to major in psychology.

• Perry Biddle of White Heath, Ill., son of Perry Biddle and Mary Biddle, who is graduating from Monticello High School. He plans to major in physics.

• Philip Bontrager of Goshen, Ind., son of Jim and Rita Bontrager, who is graduating from Goshen High School. He plans to major in mathematics.

• Brianna Brubaker of Akron, Pa., daughter of Jan and Lynne Brubaker, who is graduating from Ephrata Senior High School. She plans to major in collegiate studies.

• Kristina Fox of Ada, Mich., daughter of Philip and Cheri Fox, who is graduating from Forest Hills Central High School. She plans to major in education.

• Gretchen Geyer of Parnell, Iowa, daughter of Doyle and Janet Geyer, who is graduating from Iowa Mennonite School. She plans to major in education.

• Hillary Harder of Wichita, Kan., daughter of Thomas and Lois Harder, who is graduating from Wichita High School East. She plans to major in music.

• Maria Jantz of North Newton, Kan., daughter of Jonathan and Sue Jantz, who is graduating from Newton High School. She plans to major in mathematics.

• Kolton Nay of Dover, Ohio, son of Kevin and Carolyn Nay, who is graduating from Dover High School. He plans to major in TESOL.

• Jennifer Ramseyer of Lexington, Mass., daughter of J. Mark Ramseyer and Norma Wyse, who is graduating from Lexington High School. She plans to major in mathematics.

• Michael Yoder of Kalona, Iowa, son of Lowell and Mary Yoder, who is graduating from Iowa Mennonite School. He plans to major in biochemistry.

• Tabea Zimmermann of Harrisonburg, Va., daughter of Johann Zimmermann and Sue Klassen, who is graduating from Harrisonburg High School. She plans to major in environmental science.

Ten high school seniors are being offered the Stoltzfus Leadership Scholarship, which is awarded to African American, Latino/a American, Asian American and Native American (ALANA) students who were heavily involved in promoting multicultural awareness during high school. The Stoltzfus Leadership Scholarship is awarded in the amount of $5,000 per year for four years.

To qualify for the Stoltzfus Leadership Scholarship, a student must be a permanent resident or citizen of the United States with a 2.75 or greater grade point average in high school. Students entering college directly after high school are given priority.

The students who will receive the Stoltzfus Leadership Scholarship are:

• Hayley Brooks of Littleton, Colo., daughter of Kevin and Susan Brooks, who is graduating from Littleton High School. She plans to major in sociology.

• Juan Cordova of Laquillo, Puerto Rico, son of Teresa Rodriquez and Jaime Cordova, who is graduating from Colegio San Antonio. He plans to major in environmental science.

• QuinC Gonzales of Wayland, Mich., son of J and Leslie Gonzales, who is graduating from Wayland High School. He plans to major in communication.

• Emilia Martinez of Woodhaven, Mich., daughter of Sally Coder, who is graduating from Woodhaven High School. She plans to major in journalism.

• Thomas Millary of Dillsburg, Pa., son of David and Bonnie Millary, who has been home schooled. He plans to major in peace, justice & conflict studies.

• Reuben Ng of East Lansing, Mich., son of Perry and Patricia Ng, who is graduating from Okemos High School. He plans to major in biology.

• Devon Ownby of Dowagiac, Mich., daughter of Donald and Babita Ownby, who is graduating from Dowagiac Union High School. She plans to major in collegiate studies.

• Shin Won Park of Elkhart, Ind., daughter of Joon Park and Shim Beack, who is graduating from Bethany Christian Schools. She plans to major in art.

• Jorge Abreu Toyens of Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, son of Jorge Abreu-Torres, who is graduating from Colegio San Antonio Abad. He plans to major in music.

• Jessyl Zavala of San Juan, Puerto Rico, daughter of Orlando Zavala and Yiria Muniz, who is graduating from Robinson School. She plans to major in communication and theater.

And 11 students are being offered Center for International Teaching & Learning (CITL) Leadership Program awards. The CITL Leadership Program is a group of Latino/a students who are selected to participate in a learning community as part of the college's Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning. The award is reserved for first-generation college students. The students receive full tuition and leadership opportunities on campus.

To qualify for the CITL Leadership Program, students must be of Hispanic/Latino heritage, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a high school grade point average of 2.75 or above and be entering Goshen College directly from high school. Priority is given to in-state students, though out-of-state students are encouraged to apply as well.

The students who will receive the CITL Leadership Program awards are:

• Jesus Bustillos of Goshen, Ind., son of Claudia Bustillos, who is graduating from Goshen High School. He plans to major in communication.

• Sara Garcia of Goshen, Ind., daughter of Alejandro and Stella Garcia, who is graduating from Goshen High School. She plans to major in history and social research.

• Visente Garza of Warsaw, Ind., son of Visente Garza Jr. and Jennifer Ibarra, who is graduating from Warsaw Community High School. He plans to major in business/marketing.

• Tamara Hernandez of Middlebury, Ind., daughter of Victor and Laura Hernandez, who is graduating from Northridge High School. She plans to major in nursing.

• Yesenia Orellana of Goshen, Ind., daughter of Julio and Evelida Orellana, who is graduating from Goshen High School. She plans to major in biology.

• Samantha Pena of Ligonier, Ind., daughter of Servando and Aurora Pena, who is graduating from West Noble High School. She plans to major in nursing.

• Angel Reyes of Leesburg, Ind., son of Angel Reyes Sr. and Sylvia Reyes, who is graduating from Wawasee High School. He plans to major in psychology.

• Haley Rios of Indianapolis, Ind., daughter of Shane and Patricia O'Neal, who is graduating from Northwest High School. She plans to major in sociology

• Angeliky Santos of Goshen, Ind., daughter of Ruben and Morella Santos, who is graduating from Goshen High School. She plans to major in peace, justice & conflict studies.

• Lizbeth South of Goshen, Ind., daughter of Warren and Zaida South, who is graduating from Goshen High School. She plans to major in history.

• Amy Vigil of Alamo, Texas, daughter of Cruz and Celia Vigil, who is graduating from Idea College Preparatory High School. She plans to major in communication.

Editors: For more information about this release, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.