Erskine welcomes Presidential Scholarship candidates

Twenty-four bright young high school students came to the Erskine College campus March 2-3 for the finals of this year’s Presidential Scholarship competition.

In order to be chosen as finalists, students must have attained a minimum 3.5 GPA as well as a score of at least 1100 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT. Each submitted an essay and resume, which were evaluated by readers.

One Presidential Scholarship, which covers full tuition, room, board and fees, will be awarded and is renewable for four years.

The finalists in the Presidential Scholarship competition are also competing for four other scholarships, all renewable for four years: two Solomon Scholarships, which each cover full tuition; and two Wylie Scholarships, which provide $20,000 each.

Student Government Association President J.P. Duncan greeted the finalists and their parents at a luncheon Friday, and Erskine President Dr. David Norman spoke to the group about his vision for Erskine College.

After the luncheon, parents departed and the finalists prepared for their interviews, which were conducted Friday afternoon. At a banquet that evening, Interim Vice President and Dean of the College Dr. Brad Christie addressed the students, and current Presidential Scholars Parker Edison and Schadell Brooks also took the podium.

Finalists were reunited with their families Saturday morning for a breakfast hosted by the admissions staff and a closing session featuring Dean of Students Dr. Bryan Rush, who spoke about life at Erskine, as well as a presentation about the activities and achievements of recent graduates by Professor of Sociology Dr. Steve Sniteman.

Interim Director of Admissions Tobe Frierson said, “We have had a wonderful time hosting the scholarship participants and their families and we are excited about being able to award these scholarships.”

Scholarship winners will be announced later this month.