Goshen College announces six President’s Leadership Award recipients for 2008

GOSHEN, Ind. – Goshen College has announced the names of the six college-bound students chosen to receive its 2008 President’s Leadership Award (PLA), 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 $15,000 per year and $60,000 over four years, is renewable if recipients maintain a 3.5 grade point average during college. Applicants must meet at least two of the following criteria: earn at least a 1270 on the Enhanced SAT or 29 on the ACT; rank in the top 5 percent of their graduating class; record a grade point average of 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale; or be a National Merit Semifinalist.

The college received 65 applications this year from students who provided information about leadership, involvement and honors in school, work, community, church and volunteer activities. Each candidate was interviewed in February by a team of two teaching faculty members and a current GC student who previously received the PLA. During visits to campus, each applicant wrote an essay, responding to one of three optional questions, which was then scored by English faculty members. After all of the scoring was completed, a selection committee then chose the recipients based on the criteria.

The 2008 PLA selections who will receive the scholarship upon enrollment at Goshen College are:

Hannah Epp of Henderson, Neb., daughter of Mark Epp and Catherine Wismer, is graduating from Heartland Community School. She spent her first two years of high school at the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center in Bolivia, where she also served as a translator for visitors to Bolivia. She is a member of the National Honors Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has participated in volleyball, basketball, track and soccer. She played tenor saxophone in the jazz band and clarinet in the concert band. Epp attends Bethesda Mennonite Church, where she is involved in the youth group. She is undecided about her college major.

Daniel Driver of Goshen, Ind., son of Fred and Joyce Driver, is graduating from Goshen High School (GHS). He was a National Merit Semi Finalist and served his senior year as the student body vice president. He was a cellist for the philharmonic and the symphonic orchestras at his school. He also sang baritone in choir and Crimsonaires Show Choir and participated in theatrical productions, soccer and track. Driver attends East Goshen Mennonite, where he is involved in the youth group and monthly service projects. He plans to major in music and chemistry at college.

John Harder of Bluffton, Ohio, son of James and Karen Harder, is graduating from Bluffton High School. He has played varsity soccer and the trombone in jazz band and concert band. He is a member of the Latin club, math club, math team, yearbook and National Honor Society. He has been an after-school tutor at a local elementary school. Harder attends First Mennonite Church, where he has been in the bell choir, youth group and served on the youth group event advisory board. He is undecided about his college major.

Jacob Landis-Eigstiof Lakewood, Colo., son of Randy and Anita Landis-Eigsti, is graduating from Lakewood High School. He placed in state for both the Destination Imagination team and the Odyssey of the Mind Competition multiple times in high school. He also participated in tennis, student council, encore choir, Lakewood Improv Team and many of his school’s theatrical events. Landis-Eigsti attends Glennon Heights Mennonite Church, where he volunteers and is a member of the worship planning committee. His past summer was spent with the !Explore Theological Program for Youth. He plans to major in theater at college.

Leah Thill of Paoli, Ind., daughter of Curtis Thill and Yolanda Yoder, is graduating from Paoli High School. She is an inducted member of the National Honor Society and served on student council as class treasurer for three years. She played French horn in marching band, pep band, concert band and jazz band, and her experience allowed her to be the marching band section leader. She was also involved in cross-country, Spanish club and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Thill attends Paoli Mennonite Church, where she participates in the youth group. She plans to major in chemistry and mathematics at college.

Rebecca Weaver of Harleysville, Pa., daughter of Craig and Judith Weaver, is graduating from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School. She was class secretary for four years and was a member of National Honor Society for three years. Weaver played violin for the string orchestra for four years and was a member of Young Musicians Community Orchestra. She attends Franconia Mennonite Church where she participated in the youth group, served on the Spiritual Youth Council for three years and was a part of the Youth Worship Team. She is undecided about her college major.

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 and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.