Goshen College announces 15 President’s Leadership Award recipients

GOSHEN, Ind. — Goshen College has announced names of the 15 college-bound students chosen to receive its 2005 President’s Leadership Award.

The President’s Leadership Award, the college’s top merit scholarship, recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in their schools, churches and communities. The award, worth up to $10,000 per year and $40,000 over four years, is renewable if recipients maintain a 3.2 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.

Among the 83 applicants for the award this year, 30 students scored 1400 or above on the SAT; nine scored 32 or above on the ACT; 3.93 is the average grade point average; 14 are valedictorians; 15 are National Merit Finalists and Semi-Finalists; and one had a perfect SAT score.

Each application is measured on its own merit and is not categorized by gender, geography, high school or congregation or denomination represented. Applicants provide information about leadership, involvement and honors in school, work, community, church and volunteer activities, and submit an essay to Goshen College on the topic of Christ-centered servant leadership. Each candidate was interviewed in February by a team of two faculty members and a current student who received the PLA, who also review the student’s application and submit scoring based on a predetermined scale used by all panelists. The applications of the top scorers from that round are then passed – without names or other personal information – to the GC Enrollment Committee, which reads references also submitted by the individual and finalizes the list of top candidates.

The 2005 PLA selections, who will receive the scholarship upon enrollment at Goshen College, include:

Lydette Assefa of Indianapolis, Ind., daughter of Dagne and Carol Assefa, is graduating from Warren Central High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Model United Nations. In addition to being part of the student government, she was involved in band, soccer and track and field. She is a school record holder in track and field and a runner-up at state competitions for two years. Assefa, who annually participated in a local CROP Walk and volunteers at the Global Gifts store, has taught Bible School at her church.

Paul Boers of Elkhart, Ind., son of Arthur Boers and Lorna McDougall, is graduating from Bethany Christian High School, where he has served as a co-leader of the Peace Society, managing editor of the yearbook, captain of the Academic Superbowl team and president of the senior class. A National Merit Finalist, he also held first chair in pep band, jazz band and orchestra. Boers, who led Kids’ Club and was a member of a Christian rock band, is part of his church’s worship team and was a pastoral intern. He also started volunteering as a disc jockey at Goshen College’s radio station, 91.1 FM “The Globe.”

Samantha Groh of Mason, Ohio, daughter of Ric and Jo Groh, is graduating from Princeton High School, where she was a member of Key Club, National Honor Society and editor of the literary magazine. She also participated in orchestra, choir and chamber orchestra. Groh, a recipient of silver and gold awards in Girl Scouts, has played in the orchestra in church musicals.

Abri Houser of Newton, Kan., daughter of Gordon and Jeanne Houser, is graduating from Newton High School, where she was a member of orchestra, National Honor Society and German Honor Society. She qualified for state competition in track and field, gymnastics and forensics, as well as was president of student council, vice president of German Club and on the leadership team for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Houser, a co-coordinator of the annual Blood Mobile, serves on the student council and worship committee at her church.

Ben Jackson of Lancaster, Pa., son of Richard and Esther Jackson, is graduating from Lancaster Mennonite High School, where he was a member of National Honor Society and participated in Pennsylvania Math League and American Mathematics Contest. He had lead roles in several school musicals and plays and was co-editor of the literary arts magazine. Jackson is co-president of the youth group and a member of the youth worship team at his church.

Ben Jacobs of Goshen, Ind., son of Randall and Rachel Miller Jacobs, is graduating from Goshen High School, where he played violin in the orchestra, held leads in numerous plays and musicals, competed at the state level in “We the People” constitutional hearings and sang in the advanced choir that earned runner-up status in state finals. A National Merit Finalist, he was junior class vice-president on Goshen High School’s Student Council and studied tae-kwon-do. Jacobs, a peace activist who has protested against the School of the Americas and directs Peacemakers Inc., was an artistic aide on the crew of the independent film, “Pearl Diver.” In addition to youth group involvement, he has led worship, preached and helped with Bible school at his church.

Kristina Landis of Harleysville, Pa., daughter of Steve and Rosemary Landis, is graduating from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, where she is a member of National Honor Society, president of campus senate and chairperson for the service committee. She served as concertmaster of the orchestra, played violin in school musicals, sang in the school’s touring and chamber choirs and also held leadership positions as captain of the field hockey, basketball and softball teams. Landis is on the youth group council at her church and sings and plays violin with the congregation’s worship team.

Jesse Landis-Eigstiof Lakewood, Colo., son of Randy and Anita Landis-Eigsti, is graduating from Lakewood High School, where he held lead roles in musicals and plays, was vice-president of Drama Club, was president of Student Senate and co-founded a men’s choir, accompanied the jazz choir and was a section leader for the Advanced Choir. A National Merit Finalist, he also played soccer and ran track and has directed one-act plays. Landis-Eigsti also served as a mentor for an elementary school student, volunteered with Climb for the Cure and co-coordinated a “battle of the bands” food drive. He has participated in drama productions and has performed special music at his church.

Tim Lichti of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, son of Jim and Jennie Lichti, is graduating from Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, where he is a member of the Student Council Cabinet and School Arts Council. He was co-captain of the soccer team and head of the Social Concerns Club in addition to playing volleyball and singing in the choir and Madrigal Singers. Lichti has participated in a month-long educational exchange in China. He co-coached a boys’ soccer team, worked as a counselor at several summer camps and is planning to volunteer at an orphanage in Benin, Africa, this summer. He is a junior youth group sponsor at his church.

Lane Miller of Danvers, Ill., son of Darrel and Lynette Miller, is graduating from University High School, where he is a member of Student Senate, National Honor Society and Key Club. He sings in the Madrigal Singers and Jazz Choir, plays in the Jazz Band and has participated in theater, Scholastic Bowl and indoor soccer. Miller is involved with 4-H Club and has volunteered at Camp Menno Haven. He is the youth music representative at his church.

Peter Miller of Evanston, Ill., son of Lee and Susan Fisher Miller, is graduating from Evanston Township High School, where he is a member of the National Honor Society. He has played tennis and soccer, sang in the Mastersingers group and played cello in the school symphony and chamber orchestra. A National Merit Finalist, Miller also earned honors as an Illinois State Scholar. Miller held a lead role in a YMCA musical production and annually participated in the Oberlin Credo Chamber Music Program; he was also part of the Midwest Young Artist Symphony and Quintet. He has led worship at his church and participated in service and mission trips with his youth group.

Sarah Reesor of Austin, Texas, daughter of Nevitt and Darlene Reesor, is graduating from Lyndon B. Johnson High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and serves as poetry editor for the school’s literary magazine. Reesor has volunteered for the past four years with Austin Youth River Watch. She has been active in the youth group at her church.

Leah Roth of Goshen, daughter of John and Ruth Roth, is graduating from Bethany Christian High School, where she is captain of the soccer and tennis teams and plays basketball. She sings in the Jubilate Choir and Cornerstone Singers and performed in the school musical; she also plays in the school’s orchestra and chamber ensemble. She participated in the Academic Super Bowl and helped lead the Peace Society and was voted to serve as a class officer. Roth volunteers at the public library and is part of a mentorship program at Goshen Hospital. She is part of the worship team and has led singing at her church.

Emily Swora of Shoreview, Minn., daughter of Matthew and Rebecca Swora, is graduating from Mounds View High School, where she is a member of National Honor Society, Pep Band and Math Team. She was elected secretary of Band Council, president of French Club and co-president of the Alliance for Liberal Living. Principle oboe player in the school’s orchestra and captain of the Speech Team, she has directed and played lead roles in the Shakespeare Festival and participated in the school musical. Swora volunteers at Ten Thousand Villages. She is a leader in the youth group at her church.

Ryan Weaver of Lakewood, Colo., son of Kent and Jodi Weaver, is graduating from Lakewood High School, where he is a member of Future Business Leaders of America and National Honor Society and serves as vice-president of Philosophy Club and president of Distributive Education Clubs of America. A National Merit Finalist, he was elected captain of the track and cross-country teams, as well as the state champion Ultimate Frisbee team. Weaver volunteered as a youth track coach and was a member of an all-star Junior Olympics track team. He serves on his church’s youth council.

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year 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,” Kaplan’s “Most Interesting Colleges” guide and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit https://www.goshen.edu/.

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

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