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Sixteen new students win $40,000 Medallion Scholarships

Sept. 1, 2006

KALAMAZOO--Sixteen freshmen have won coveted Medallion Scholarships to begin their studies at Western Michigan University this fall.

Medallion Scholarships are among the highest honors WMU can bestow to an incoming freshman. Valued at $40,000 over four years, they constitute one of the larger merit-based awards in American public higher education.

Each Medallion bears the name of its donor or the person for whom the prize was established. The 2006 recipients were announced in July after competing in the 22nd annual Medallion Scholarship Program Competition at WMU in January.

The daylong competition included essay writing and group problem solving activities as well as an informational session for the participant's parents. A total of 177 seniors participated from 133 high schools in six states, including Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and New York.

To be invited to compete in the event, students had to apply to WMU by Dec. 31 and be one of the top recipients of a WMU Dean's Scholarship. That award for incoming students is based on cumulative high school grade point average and ACT scores.

Those selected as Medallion Scholars for 2006-07 have an average ACT score of 30 and average GPA of 4.01, when honors courses are weighted. They will begin their studies at WMU in the fall and are scheduled to graduate during the 2009-10 academic year.

Participating in the 2006 competition were 93 students who scored 30 or higher on the ACT and 107 students with 4.00 or higher high school GPAs. Participants who did not win a Medallion Scholarship still retained their Dean's Scholarships of $4,000 per year for four years.

2006 Medallion Scholarship recipients

Emily Beard of Orleans, Mich., received the Randall Doran Medallion and plans to major in journalism. She graduated from Ionia High School and is the daughter of Robert and Mary Ann Beard.

Marlo Buser of Saukville, Wis., received the John Valluzzo Medallion and plans to major in political science. She graduated from Cedarburg High School.

Emily Carter of Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., received the Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation Endowed Medallion and plans to enter the University curriculum. She graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School and is the daughter of Scott and Karen Carter.

Laura Citino of Ypsilanti, Mich., received the Gwen Frostic Presidential Medallion and plans to major in journalism. She graduated from Ypsilanti High School and is the daughter of Robert and Roberta Citino.

Elizabeth Fritsch of Berkley, Mich., received the Gwen Frostic Presidential Medallion and plans to enter the University curriculum. She graduated from Berkley High School and is the daughter of James and Debra Fritsch.

Christopher Hartman of DeWitt, Mich., received the Western Michigan University Foundation Medallion and plans to major in mechanical engineering. He graduated from DeWitt High School and is the son of David and Sarah Hartman.

Amanda Jandahl of Caledonia, Mich., received the Eric and Tobi Breisach Medallion and plans to major in journalism. She graduated from South Christian High School and is the daughter of Keith and Roxanne Jandahl.

Daniel Kramer of Newburg, Ind., received the Burdick-Thorne Medallion and plans to major music composition. He graduated from Castle High School. He is the son of Richard and Pamela Kramer.

Kathleen LaFleur of Grandville, Mich., received the Western Michigan University Alumni Association Medallion and plans to major in music performance. She graduated from Jenison High School and is the daughter of David and Lynda LaFleur.

Erik Massey of Chelsea, Mich., received the Merze Tate Endowed Medallion and plans to major in psychology. He graduated from Chelsea High School and is the son of Andrew Massey and Janet Sevde.

Joseph Mydosh of Munith, Mich., received the Emily and Richard Hoffman Endowed Medallion and plans to major in industrial engineering. He graduated from Lumen Christy Catholic High School and is the son of Bryan and Cassanora Mydosh.

Trangdai "Diane" Nguyen of Portage, Mich., received the Adrian "Ed" Edwards Medallion and plans to major in business. She graduated from Portage Northern High School and is the daughter of Don and Honghoa Nguyen.

Megan O'Connor of Byron Center, Mich., received the Harold and Beulah McKee Endowed Medallion and plans to major in mathematics. She graduated from Byron Center Senior High School and is the daughter of Donald and Carol O'Connor.

Maureen Savage of South Haven, Mich., received the Gwen Frostic Presidential Medallion and plans to major in communication. She graduated from South Haven High School and is the daughter of Mark and Catherine Savage.

Garret Mortensen of Sparta, Mich., received the Doerschler Medallion and plans to major in history. He graduated from Sparta High School and is the son of Rob Mortensen of Kent City, Mich., and Nicki Ramos of Sparta.

Anna Timmons of Battle Creek, Mich., received the Robert and Candis Warner Medallion and plans to major in interdisciplinary health. She graduated from Lakeview High School and is the daughter of James and Carolyn Timmons.

Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu

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