EUGENE–Fourteen University of Oregon freshmen from southwestern 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 southwestern Oregon recipients of 1999-2000 UO Presidential Scholarships are:

ASHLAND–Daniel Gall, an undeclared major, 414 Courtney St.

CAVE JUNCTION–Orly Despacio, a pre-business administration major,8020 Takilma Rd.

EUGENE–John Hutchison, a sophomore pre-business administration major, 975 Chateau Meadows Dr.; Susan Kim, a biology major, 2664 Chad Dr.; Jennifer Miner, a sophomore undeclared major, 34199 Country View Dr.; Scott Pattison, an undeclared major, 540 Kingswood Ave.; Heather Soczek, a pre-business administration major, 2570 Chuckanut St.; Anna Tyler, an undeclared major, 2055 W. 28th Ave.; and Stephanie Vitus, a sophomore physics major, 4268 Bent Tree Lane.

GOLD HILL–Makoto Miyamoto, an undeclared major, 2518 Sardine Creed Rd.

PLEASANT HILL–Laura Chamberlain, a magazine journalism pre-major, 85151 Ridgeway Rd.

MEDFORD–Katy Hagert, an undeclared major, 227 N. Berkeley Way.

SPRINGFIELD–Scott Gibbs, an undeclared major, 935 McKenzie Crest Dr.; and Jessica Metcalfe, a physics and mathematics major, 1057 65th St.

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