Alumni Provide Freshman Scholarships

Five incoming freshman science students are each receiving a $1,000 scholarship, thanks to the generosity of College of Science alumni and friends.

In fall 2008, Dean Pierre Sokolsky sent a letter to alumni detailing the college’s recent accomplishments and pointing out the need for financial support for incoming freshmen.
“While financial aid prospects are available for many upper-class students,” he wrote, “there are few such opportunities through the College of Science for incoming freshmen. I am asking for your support to establish a new freshman scholarship fund to help us recruit and retain the outstanding young men and women who will make a difference in the world around us.”
And you responded with enthusiasm! Between responses to that letter and our annual phonathon to alumni, more than 900 donations came in during 2008 – a more than 30% jump over previous years.
These donations provided support for a wide variety of departmental and college programs, including the first five College of Science Freshman Scholarships.
Applications for the scholarship were reviewed by the College of Science Admissions Standards and Degree Committee.
After the faculty committee evaluated them, they turned over finalists to the newly formed College of Science Alumni Association board, who chose the following recipients:
• Josh Harmer, Bingham High School, pre-med physics or biology.
• Whitney Heileson, Clearfield High School, biology.
• Natascha Knowlton, Cyprus High School, chemistry.
• Kathryn Rodgers, Weber High School, math or computer science.
• Marie Tuft, South Sevier High School, physics.
Congratulations to these incoming students – and thank you for making their scholarships possible!