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

ALBANY–Rheanna Myers, an undeclared major, 1424 Clover Ridge Rd. N.E.; and Kelly Powers, a pre-journalism major, 36006 Bryant Dr. S.W.

BEAVERTON–Celita Lee, a biology major, 8590 S.W. 151st Place.

CANBY–Eve Rivinus, a pre-journalism major, 26510 S. Highway 170.

CORVALLIS–Christopher Moorefield, a general science major, 455 S.E. Richland Ave.

ESTACADA–Katie Yoder, a pre-journalism major, 27186 S. Horner Rd.

FOREST GROVE–Michele McNeely, an undeclared major, P.O. Box 514.

HILLSBORO–Erica Kelly, an undeclared major, 9765 N.W. 316th Place; and Kelcey Stratton, a pre-psychology major, 3294 N.E. Crimson Place.

LAKE OSWEGO–Elizabeth Asai, an undeclared major, 2640 Orchard Hill Place.

OREGON CITY–Jennifer Hubbard, a sophomore English and Spanish major, 18454 S. Walker Rd.

PORTLAND–Andrew Barr, an undeclared major, 12185 N.W. Big Fir Circle; Jenelle Bray, a chemistry major, 7424 S.W. 60th Ave.; Bridget Connolly, a biology major, 4525 S.W. Tarlow Court; Brett Coolman, a sophomore undeclared major, 5040 S.W. Robert Court; Eryn Karpinski, an undeclared major, 1529 N.E. Thompson St.; Mary-Esther La Pointe, a general science major, 6055 S.E. Lafayette St.; Nathan Loveless, an undeclared major, 2610 N.E. Thompson St.; Elizabeth Mitcham, a pre-journalism major, 4770 N.W. 177th Place; Kevin Schutz, a biology major, 2515 N.W. 119th Place; Elizabeth Smith, a political science major, 9248 N.W. Skyline Blvd.; Amoreena Treff, a Romance languages major, 2120 S.W. Stephenson St.; and Corey Ying, a pre-business administration major, 12892 S.E. Spring Mountain Court.

SALEM–Heather Goodwin, an English major, 6515 Lardon Rd. N.E.; Britt Williamson, a pre-business administration major, 2080 Davis Rd. S.; and Ying Zhu, a pre-psychology major, 1895 Capitol St. S.E.

WEST LINN–Catharine Hochhalter, a sophomore pre-psychology major, 6598 Apollo Rd.

WILSONVILLE–Natalie Jankovic, a political science major, 7915 S.W. Vlahos Dr., Apt. 405; and Lynnelle Smith, a biology major, 28675 S.W. 35th Dr.

YAMHILL–Tambi Boyle, a mathematics major, 22597 N.W. Bishop Scott Rd.

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