Indiana State University Newsroom
Indiana State University has awarded the University Honors Scholarship to 29 outstanding students who begin their studies this fall.
The students chosen for these competitive scholarships demonstrated high levels of academic achievement throughout high school and during an on-campus interview process. To apply for the scholarship, students are required to have at least two of the following: a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale, a score of 1200 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT and a ranking within the top 10 percent of their high school class.
The scholarship provides full in-state tuition for four years.
Recipients are as follows:
• Kerry Tepe, of Cincinnati, Ohio, is the daughter of Stacey and Chris Tepe. While in high school, she was vice president and secretary of her class. She was the captain of the Colerain High School swim team, where she was a state qualifier. She also received the Cardinal Award. She will pursue a major in biology.
• Natalie Lawson of Ellisville, Mo., is the daughter of Samuel and Jackie Lawson. She was in the National Honors Society and Foreign Language Honors Society. Lawson was the captain of the Lutheran South girls' varsity basketball team and on the varsity field hockey team. She went on two mission trips to Los Angeles Dream Center and New York Dream Center. Lawson will pursue a major in business administration.
• Emily Eckert of Huntingburg, Ind., is the daughter of Donna and Anthony Eckert. Eckert was involved in athletics during high school and was the captain for junior varsity basketball, varsity basketball, girls' cross-country and girls' tennis. She was president of National Honors Society and president and vice president of her class. She participated in several mission trips with her church. Eckert will pursue a major in criminology and criminal justice.
• Brooklyn Gale of Chrisman, Ill., is the daughter of Clifford Gale and Sara Gianos. While in high school, she participated in mathletes and was captain of both the eco-team and environthon. She was the captain of her cheerleading and dance team and was the first chair flute. She donated blood and helped with a backpack food program for underprivileged children. Gale hopes to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing while at Indiana State.
• Madelyne Ashbaugh of Springfield, Ill., is the daughter of Mindy and Brent Ashbaugh. She was a member of National Honor Society, president of her student council during her senior year and a member of Spanish National Honor Society. She was president of Spanish club her senior year and played on the volleyball team. Ashbaugh was big buddy mentor with Rochester High School Club-U. She will pursue a major in elementary education.
• Griffin Johnson of Dennison, Ill., is the son of Amie and Richard Johnson. He was very involved in sports during high school. He played for the golf team and was captain of the baseball team. He was also the treasurer of the Key Club and vice president of the Spanish club. He gave back to his community by helping with Christmas for Children. Johnson plans to major in nursing.
• Gwendolyn Mathis of New Castle, Ind., is the daughter of Kim and Doug Mathis. She was the photo editor and the caption editor of her school's yearbook. She was on track and field and the girl's golf team. While on the golf team, she was the Student Athletic Council member representative for the girls' golf team. She was a member of the Lighthouse Singers Gospel Choir and Girl Scouts, where she earned the Girl Scouts Silver and Gold awards. Mathis was chosen to represent Henry County Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation at Indiana's Youth Council in Washington, D.C. She will pursue a major in speech-language pathology.
• Abigail Fischer of Santa Claus, Ind., is the daughter of Rodney and Gail Fischer. She sponsors a child from Haiti, whom she communicates with monthly through donations, handwritten letters and drawings. She was on her school's softball team and played the saxophone in band. She helped at the Crawford County food bank and volunteered at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Fischer will major in recreation and sport management while at Indiana State.
• Breeze Keppy of Paris, Ill., is the daughter of JoEllen Henson. She was secretary of her school's Key Club and was selected as the delegate to attend the Key Club District Convention. She was one of 16 students selected for the Illinois State Board of Education Student Advisory Council. She started the Hospital Helpers Volunteer Program at the Paris Community Hospital after she was contacted by the hospital's physical relations and business development manager. She also participated in the girls' varsity tennis team and National Honors Society. Keppy will pursue a major in nursing.
• Jordyn Shaw of Saint Joseph, Ill., is the daughter of Stuart and Michelle Shaw. She was active in community service by helping the Carle Foundation Hospital, Illinois Community Blood Services, Eastern Illinois Foodbank, Relay for Life, Toys for Tots and tutoring other students. She also was a member of the cross-country and track and field teams. Shaw will major in accounting.
• Grace Birmingham of Kouts, Ind., is the daughter of Doreen Birmingham. While in high school, she played soccer all four years as captain of the team. She won Pacific Coast Conference all conference, Pacific Coast Conference Academic all-conference and had the most assists on her team. Birmingham will pursue a major in nursing.
• Nicholas Burton of Strasburg, Ill., is the son of Jennifer and David Burton. Burton was active in clubs during high school. He was in the business club, drama club, Leo Club, pep club and Spanish club. He was also on the track and field, president of the National Honors Society and student council treasurer. Burton will major in finance.
• Katherine McGee of Fairmount, Ill., is the daughter of Deborah and Charles McGee. She served as the secretary of the National Honor Society and as class representative on the Student Council. She was the co-editor of the yearbook for three years and editor-in-chief for one year. During her time on yearbook, the yearbook won the Walsworth Gallery of Excellence award two years in a row. She is the recipient of the Salt Fork High School Daughters of the American Revolution Award and is the Illinois Student Assistance Commission 2017-2018 Illinois State Scholar. She volunteers her time with Saint Mary's Catholic Church and the Catlin Public Library Summer Reading Program. McGee will pursue a major in elementary education.
• Rachel Hassfurther of Ferdinand, Ind., is the daughter of Linda and Brian Hassfurther. She was the president of St. Meinrad 4-H club in Spencer County for four years. During her senior year, she was the vice president of the Heritage Hills National Honors Society and a member of Student Council. She was a member of the Patriot Elite Choir and Girls Jazz Choir where she received the top student award during her sophomore year. Hassfurther will pursue a major in elementary education.
• Hanna Atwood of Saint Joseph, Ill., is the daughter of Tamela and Jason Atwood. She was part of the St. Joseph Ogden High School Student Council and served as the freshmen class vice president, sophomore class vice president and junior class president. She was the 2016 team captain for both the cross-country and track and field teams. Atwood will pursue a major in criminology and criminal justice.
• Kacie Trapp of Paris, Ill., is the daughter of Andrea and Kevin Trapp. She was involved in the Paris High School cheerleading, where she received the Junior Varsity Cheerleading Excellence Award in 2015, and she was on girls' varsity tennis team. She also dedicated a lot of her time to community service. She was a part of a mentoring program, helped with cleaning up local highways and the Salvation Army bell ringing. Trapp will pursue a major in nursing.
• Jensen Margheim of Fredericksburg, Va., is the daughter of Greg and Bonnie Margheim. Margheim was active in sports playing varsity soccer for the high school where she was named Conference Player of the Year, while her team was first in all-region and all-conference. She also played for a traveling team outside of her high school where she was team captain. She was a member of National Honors Society. She was the sports editor and yearbook editor when she served on yearbook staff. Margheim will major in athletic training.
• Hailey Binkley of Oswego, Ill., will pursue a major in elementary education. During high school, she was a member of National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. She was co-captain of the cheerleading team and was a project manager on a mission trip for her church. She volunteered at her local homeless shelter and helped rebuild houses during mission trips.
• Braden Whitney of Sumner, Ill., is the son of Brandy and Brent Whitney. Whitney was president of his local chapter of 4-H for four years. He was on Student Council where he was a student representative freshman through junior year and president his senior year. He was a drum major of his high school's marching band and was a member of jazz band. Whitney will pursue a major in history.
• Rachel Malone of New Albany, Ind., is the daughter of Paul and Vickie Malone. She was a member of the Rotary Interact Club, where she contacted Minors Lane Elementary School and arranged for tutors to assist teachers. She played on the girls' junior varsity and varsity soccer team. She led worship for kindergarten through second-grade students. Malone will major in professional aviation flight technologies.
• Lyle Jefson of Shelbyville, Ill., is the son of Jamie and Scott Jefson. He is a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles, which provides young students their first flight. He was involved in sports during high school. He was captain of the football and tennis teams and was on the wrestling team. Jefson will pursue a major in professional aviation flight technologies.
• Drew Ratliff of Wood River, Ill., is the son of Darren and Ginger Ratliff. While in high school, he played on the baseball team and was the captain of the soccer team. He participated in mock trials, the scholastic bowl and was a member of the National Honors Society. Ratliff will pursue a pre-medicine track at Indiana State.
• Trey Woodward of Charleston, Ind., is the son of Erica and Gary Woodward. He volunteered with the Charlestown Youth Basketball League where he helped coach and direct skill development for ages pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade participants. He was captain of his school's varsity tennis team, captain of the baseball team during his junior and senior years, and on the track and field team. He was part of the National Honors Society and was class vice president. Woodward will pursue a major in biology.
• Sarah Williams of Grafton, Ill., is the daughter of Donna Williams. She was a member of the Key Club, president of the National Honors Society and secretary of the class council. She also participated in show choir, honors choir, the international club, chess club and theater. She was a two-time winner for Illinois Math League. Williams will pursue a major in finance.
• Naseera Salahuddin-Williams of East Chicago, Ind., is the daughter of Nafisah Salahuddin and Amin Williams. She was a member of the National Honors Society and the National Technical Honor Society. She sang for her school's choir, was a member of a dance team and was the class of 2017 representative for the student teacher advisory council. She also volunteered at the East Chicago Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. Salahuddin-Williams will pursue a pre-medicine track at Indiana State.
• Brittanie Farrington of Hillsdale, Ind., is the daughter of Stephanie and George Farrington. She was a member of Dana Dazzlers where she received the Reserve Grand Champion Ribbon in sewing. She played varsity tennis for three years and was first in doubles and the most improved player. Farrington volunteers with Clinton Indiana Youth Tennis. She will pursue a major in elementary education.
• Grace Hicks of Scottsburg, Ind., is the daughter of William and Peggy Hicks. She was secretary of the Student Council, treasurer then president of Students Against Destructive Decisions, a section leader for marching and concert band and played on the tennis team. For 15 years she was a dancer at Lisa's Dance Studio where she was also a volunteer student helper for five years. Hicks will pursue a major in insurance.
• Jackson Gambrill of Shelbyville, Ill., is the son of Kristine and Jared Gambrill. He was on the varsity football, varsity basketball and track and field teams. He was captain of the football team. He was a part of the bonfire committee with the Student Council. Gambrill will pursue a major in business administration.
• Michael Smith of Charleston, Ill., is the son of Michael and Maureen Smith. He was an avid soccer player playing for his high school and on a club team as the captain. He was also in both the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. Smith will pursue a bachelor's degree in business.
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Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-fKKnVW9/2/61f29e55/X4/January%2026%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%200561-X4.jpg -- Natalie Lawson
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/Best-Scholarship-Interview-Portraits-2017/i-QgXnkQp/0/54c00753/X3/April%2006%2C%202017%20Madelyne%20Ashbaugh%203809-X3.jpg -- Madelyne Ashbaugh
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-gKLgxv3/2/ca686cec/X4/January%2026%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%200538-X4.jpg -- Griffin Johnson
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-Pd8Djqk/2/a21c3ed4/X4/January%2026%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%200579-X4.jpg -- Gwendolyn Mathis
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-dL9bXjQ/3/8e49fc1f/X4/January%2026%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%200468-X4.jpg -- Abigail Fischer
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-dCFQrnC/1/f0a6eb5c/X4/January%2028%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%201125-X4.jpg -- Grace Birmingham
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-sdKvS7L/1/5967fa8c/X4/January%2028%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%201002-X4.jpg -- Nicholas Burton
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-Z9Cj56M/2/d6b9d041/X4/January%2028%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%201025-X4.jpg -- Katherine McGee
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-rLzwDtD/2/fd4f9443/X4/January%2026%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%200603-X4.jpg -- Rachel Hassfurther
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-vCM5wDW/1/a044b657/X4/Margheim_Jensen_2017_-9934-X4.jpg -- Jensen Margheim
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-rMGxVfn/2/e7d3607a/X4/January%2028%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%200973-X4.jpg -- Hailey Binkley
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-4zGfqN8/2/16df4632/X4/whitney_braden_2017_-0084-X4.jpg -- Braden Whitney
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-sNNXxPM/1/2f64e72b/X4/woodward_trey_2017_-0056-X4.jpg -- Trey Woodward
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-HjVkXFw/2/652a4363/X4/January%2028%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%201118-X4.jpg -- Sarah Williams
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-bxvXzkF/1/2f40a305/X4/alahuddin_williams_naseera_2017_-9899-X4.jpg -- Naseera Salahuddin-Williams
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-6KHCmgM/1/b4012dde/X4/Farrington_brittanie_2017_-0015-X4.jpg -- Brittanie Farrington
Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/2017-Scholarship-Interview-Day-Portraits-Day/i-VsJ4jwQ/2/8e354331/X4/January%2028%2C%202017%20Presidential%20Scholar%20Portraits%201186-X4.jpg -- Jackson Gambrill
Writer and media contact: Connor Myers, media relations assistant, Office of Communications and Marketing, cmyers34@sycamores.indstate.edu or 812-237-3773
Story Highlights
The scholarship provides full in-state tuition for four years.
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