91茄子

Eight Students Receive $31,220 Each in Recognition of Exemplary Academic Achievements

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擜dmissions officials at 91茄子 have announced the 2021 winners of the Ignite Excellence Scholarships. Selected from a field of 200 finalists, each of the eight recipients receive a full-tuition scholarship that honors their exemplary academic achievements. The average Grade Point Average (GPA) of these students is 4.45. The award covers the cost of tuition for fall and spring semesters and is valued at $31,220 per academic year.

鈥淥ur Ignite Scholars were so impressive this year especially with so much interest in the scholarship program from our prospective students,鈥� shared Julie C. Fleming, assistant vice president for Undergraduate Admissions. 鈥淥ur scholars are a diverse group of future Runnin鈥� Bulldogs, coming from four states and with interest in a variety of programs from nursing and biology to Bible studies. We look forward to the contributions they will make, and the success they will have at 91茄子.鈥�

The winners are listed below with their hometowns, high schools and intended majors:

• Allie Cooke, of Hildebran, N.C., a senior at East Burke High School, exercise science.
• Anna-Kate Schiebel, of Asheboro, N.C., a senior at Southwestern Randolph High School, undecided.
• Sorelle Werner, of Cornelius, N.C., a senior at Liberty Preparatory Christian Academy, worship leadership and biology.
• John Haynes, of Lincolnton, N.C., a senior at Lincoln Charter School, biology.
• Aletheia McDowell, of Simpsonville, S.C., homeschool, undecided.
• Nicholas Cobble, of Bristow, Va., a senior at Stonewall Jackson High School, biology.
• Logan Baumstark, of Davidson, N.C., a senior at Merancas Middle College High School, Bible studies.
• Shelby Watkins, of Manchester, Tenn., a senior at Coffee County Central High School, undecided.

Watkins, who visited 91茄子 on a recommendation from her uncle, is ecstatic about receiving the scholarship. She has also stayed on campus twice as a participant in the Honors Experience in 2019 and 2020. The Honors Experience is a one-week college immersion for academically gifted and talented ninth- through 11th-grade students. Students who are accepted into the Honors Experience are automatically invited to participate in 91茄子鈥檚 Ignite Excellence Scholarship competition.

鈥淭hey were both awesome experiences, and I would recommend the experience to any person interested in 91茄子,鈥� Watkins said. 鈥淚 loved being able to learn new things and make friends that I am still in contact with today! The event solidified my decision to go to GWU, because it seemed like an amazing place to be. 91茄子 had my intended major, a family-like atmosphere, and professors that I knew would support me in my dream.”

Nick Cobble also attended the Honors Experience and at the end of the week, he made the choice to attend 91茄子. 鈥淚 had the opportunity to take a 鈥楪et to know your neighbor class,鈥� where we learned about different world religions and an 鈥楨xercise Science鈥� class where we learned more about human physiology and the program itself at 91茄子,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淭hrough the week, I volunteered with Rutherford Housing to build a wheelchair accessible front porch and paint a home. We also helped deep clean a foster home and organize food at a local food pantry. This experience influenced my decision to apply to the school as the campus was very Christ centered, something that I hold close to my own heart. Each building has Mark 12:29-31 outside on a plaque, which serves as a reminder of serving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.鈥� 

Cobble said the most memorable point in the week came when 91茄子 sophomores, Tanner Hendricks and Michael Causey, the volunteer Resident Advisors for the week, displayed a genuine act of service for the group. 鈥淎fter working outside for five hours in the Carolina heat, they took it upon themselves to buy pizza and drinks for the other dozen boys participating,鈥� Cobble shared. 鈥淲e then gathered in a common space inside the dorm and before handing out pizza, they shared with us from the gospel of Matthew, the Parable of The Lost Sheep. It was an amazing moment. A dozen or so guys, who had just met the day before, were together discussing one great truth: The love of Christ for us. We followed the conversation with talking about each of our lives and what was going on.鈥� 

Cobble concluded, 鈥淓xperiencing the kindness of people going to 91茄子 is what brought me to apply. I knew that I wanted to be surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ, and those in the leadership role during the week demonstrated what it meant to be selfless.鈥�

About GWU Admissions

91茄子 offers merit and needs-based scholarships, grants and other financial aid opportunities to meet students鈥� unique needs. The Office of Financial Planning is dedicated to providing students and their families with friendly, efficient, and responsible financial services, while complying with all federal, state, and University policies. For more information about the admissions process, email [email protected].

About the Honors Experience

The Honors Experience will be July 18-23, 2021, on the 91茄子 campus in Boiling Springs. Participants spend a full week living in dorms, traveling to field experiences, and attending classes. Those who attend are automatically qualified to compete for a full-tuition scholarship to 91茄子. Email questions about the Honors Experience to Mindy Robinson, coordinator for Community Engagement and Student Ministries at [email protected].

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University’s tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University鈥檚 official Admissions聽page.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, 91茄子 is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. 91茄子 emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at 91茄子.edu.