Drury’s Trustee Scholarship Weekend was a busy weekend for faculty

By Geoff Doran, University Communications

Being outgoing, enthusiastic, and open were just a few qualities that Drury was looking for. Students from all over the country came to Drury University for a chance to become one of the recipients of the Trustee or Presidential Scholarships. The Trustee Scholarship consists of full tuition, fees, room and board awarded annually. This scholarship is awarded to ten students who must maintain a 3.0 GPA. The Presidential Scholarship is a $10,000 per year scholarship. It is awarded to 10 students and they must maintain a 3.0 GPA as well.

In order to even be considered for these scholarships the students first had to meet a list of strict guidelines:
§ Be admitted to Drury University.
§ A composite score of 29 or higher on the ACT or 1300 or higher on the SAT.
§ A cumulative GPA requirement was set at a 3.5 or higher.
§ Participate in the Drury Scholars interview weekend, February 20-21, 2004.

Upon meeting the guidelines students were given a checklist of required application requirements. The requirements for these scholarships were: a typed comprehensive listing of leadership activities in high school, community or church, two letters of recommendation, a high school transcript sent to the scholarship committee, a 250 word essay on a provided topic, all followed up with a resume. The deadline for these requirements was February 1, 2004.

There were more than 125 students in attendance for the Drury Scholarship weekend. “The caliber of the candidates continues to be impressive and consistent, and especially fascinating,” comments Krystal Compas, vice president for enrollment management. “The quality about the group was their academic interest; from musical composers to aspiring doctors, from Theater to English majors, it was an interesting spectrum.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the current students,” said Emily Givens, the event coordinator. On Friday, February 20, the weekend started off with a reception in the Olin Library. Followed by a dinner in the Findlay Student Center where the participants were able to meet Drury faculty, students, and professors. Participants had the choice to stay with a Drury student on Friday night after the Banquet. If a scholarship applicant was unable to make the event, they could participate through a phone interview. Most students, however, sat through individual interviews with the scholarship selection committee in the Olin Library starting as early as 8:35 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m.

With many top-notch students to choose from the faculty and the members of the admissions committee had a tough decision to make. On March 1, 2004 the letters of acceptance will be sent out to the students that will be receiving the Trustee or Presidential scholarship.