Presidential semifinalists meet the faculty

Erskine College welcomed more than 100 outstanding high school seniors to the campus Jan. 9 for the first round of this year’s Presidential Scholarship competition. The Presidential Scholarship is the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship offered at Erskine College.

Competitors met Erskine professors during a faculty fair in Watkins Student Center. This year’s schedule also included four departmental presentations, providing additional opportunities for interaction with professors.

Departmental sessions offered were “Chemical Reactions” with Professor of Chemistry Dr. Joel Boyd; “Manual Therapy” with Assistant Professor of Athletic Training Scott DeCiantis; “Salsa and Politics” with Associate Professor of Chemistry and Physics Dr. Tiffany Hayden; and “Sound, Music, and Noise” with Professor of Music Dr. J. Brooks Kuykendall.

Students were welcomed by Erskine President Dr. Paul Kooistra. Following their interview sessions and the departmental presentations, students joined their families for a scholarship luncheon in Moffatt Dining Hall. Tripp Boykin, a member of the Erskine College Class of 1992, spoke at the luncheon.

Named in honor of the 16 presidents who have served Erskine College since its founding in 1839, the Presidential Scholarship covers tuition, room, board, and fees, minus any state, federal, and outside scholarships or grants. The scholarship is renewable for four years of study and is valued at approximately $170,000.

Recipients are required to uphold the ideals and standards of Erskine College.

Students who apply for the Presidential Scholarship are also considered for the Solomon Award, which covers tuition and fees for a four-year period.

Thirty students selected from among the semifinalist group will be invited to return to the Erskine campus for the finalist competition Feb. 5-6.

 See more photos here.