EUGENE–Five University of Oregon freshmen from central and eastern Oregon are among 49 new recipients of Presidential Scholarships for the 1999-2000 academic year.

The students were awarded the scholarships, which cover full tuition costs of each recipient, for their academic achievement, leadership and participation in community and school activities. Currently, 193 new and returning Presidential Scholars are attending the University of Oregon.

"Being selected as a presidential scholar is a predictor and motivator in pursuing a life-long path of excellence," says UO President Dave Frohnmayer. "It is a recognition of achievement at an early age."

The Presidential Scholarship Program began 14 years ago as a way to encourage Oregon’s best and brightest high school students to continue their education in the state. The grants are renewable for up to four years for students who maintain a minimum grade-point average and make satisfactory progress toward earning their degrees.

Frohnmayer says the parents and families of the students feel a real sense of pride and accomplishment. "That’s because it’s based on merit," he says.

According to Frohnmayer, based upon past performance, these students emerge in key leadership positions, not only in academics but also in student activities.

"It is a program that in some way touches everyone–the presidential scholars themselves, their fellow students, the faculty and staff and those whose generosity makes the program possible," the UO president says.

Each year, the scholarship winners are selected by the University Scholarship Committee from among Oregon’s top graduating high school seniors. Although an outstanding record counts for 50 percent of the scholarship selection score, community involvement and extracurricular activities, an essay and the career aspirations of the candidate also weigh heavily in the panel’s deliberations.

Money for UO Presidential Scholarships is raised privately through the University of Oregon Foundation, an independent nonprofit corporation organized to receive and manage gifts for the university. More than 200 individuals, family donors, local businesses and corporations provide the funds needed to award the scholarships.

By city, the central and eastern Oregon recipients of 1999-2000 UO Presidential Scholarships are:

BAKER CITY–Katherine Collins, a general science major, 2509 1st St.

BEND–Scott Laird, an undeclared major, 1426 N.E. Seward Ave.; and Joshua Walterscheid, a biology major, 1926 N.E. Veronica Lane.

PENDLETON–Jeffrey Read, a sophomore mathematics and computer science major, 1750 S.W. 18th St.

REDMOND–Margaret Maffai, an undeclared major, 1017 N.W. Larch Court.

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