David Clauson

Ethan Dailing

Gina DeYoung

James Dunn

Alexander Goodin

Robert Harrison

Sean Kappes

Monika Kathari

Logan Matthews

Justin Mrkva

Sylvia Reiser

Kyle Safran

Olivia Swailes

Daniel Wardle

Rachel Yales

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — Nineteen high school seniors have been awarded Michigan State University’s Alumni Distinguished Scholarship and University Distinguished Scholarship awards for 2009, the most prestigious scholarships offered by the university and among the most competitive awards in the country.

The scholarships, valued at about $90,000 for in-state students and $150,000 for out-of-state students, cover full tuition, room and board, books and other academic expenses for up to eight semesters of study. All of the students are members of the MSU Honors College.

The students, who hail from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico and New York, have outstanding records of academic and personal achievements:

Average ACT score: 34 (out of 36)
Average SAT score: 1530 (out of 1600) (critical reading plus math)

Alumni Distinguished Scholars were selected from more than 1,110 high school seniors who applied to MSU and took an intensive general knowledge exam. University Distinguished Scholars are chosen from an MSU applicant pool based on academic record and accomplishments.

Following are brief profiles of each student.

Alumni Distinguished Scholars

David Clauson
Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights High School
Academic interests: Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, theater, English and creative writing
High school activities: Theater, dance and vocal music through the Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts
Parents: Mitchell and Ingrid Clauson
“I felt that the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities programs at MSU really represented my ideas about the arts and humanities in the public sector. I also liked the sense of academic and artistic freedom at MSU, and I knew I could use that freedom to create a curriculum that would challenge me intellectually and artistically.”

Ethan Dailing
Houston, Mo., and Kaiserslautern, Germany
Kaiserslautern High School, Germany
Academic interests: Computer engineering, academic competitions, debate and politics
High school activities: Soccer, math and science competitions, debate team and the Brain Bowl team
Parents: Carl and Michelle Dailing
“I had already heard of MSU’s great academics so I was not really worried about receiving a quality education. I was really worried about such a large campus, but once I visited the campus and saw how the classes and people make the campus feel so close and neighborly, I knew I had found the school for me.”

Gina DeYoung
Allendale
Unity Christian High School
Academic interests: Landscape architecture, horticulture and Spanish
High school activities: School plays and Science Olympiad
Parents: Bruce and Debra DeYoung
“At first I was only looking for a school relatively close to home that had the programs in which I was interested. The campus opportunities and professors I encountered at MSU during my visits convinced me that MSU would be the best fit for me.”

James W. Dunn IV
DeWitt
DeWitt High School
Academic interests: Physics, mathematics, literature, history and economics
High school activities: Quiz Bowl, student newspaper and radio show
Parents: James III and Cheryl Dunn
“MSU has fantastic programs in my areas of interest, and everyone I met – from staff at the ADS weekend to the directors and deans – were all wonderful people and very friendly. This school has always felt like home.”

Alexander Goodin
Solon, Ohio
Solon High School
Academic interests: Bass performance, physics, Spanish, engineering and visual arts
High school activities: Cross-country, jazz band, swim team and Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra
Parents: Mark and Elizabeth Goodin
“Two major factors entered into my decision to attend MSU: the opportunity to study double bass with Jack Budrow, an associate professor of music and co-chairperson of the string area in the College of Music, and the choices open to me through the Honors College. I am looking forward to opportunities to pursue undergraduate research in a high-quality physics program. The friendly atmosphere I found at MSU also helped to make my decision clear.”

Robert J. Harrison
Okemos
Lansing Catholic High School
Academic interests: Physics, mathematics, Chinese, business and history
High school activities: Math Club, Quiz Bowl and serving as a student tutor and mentor
Parents: Jeremy and Laura Harrison
“I chose MSU for its breadth and depth of academic, cultural and extracurricular opportunities. It is truly a world-class institution.”

Sean J. Kappes
Madeira, Ohio
Madeira High School
Academic interests: Engineering, mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics and the no-preference option
High school activities: Academic Team and Chess Team
Parents: Eric and Ann Kappes
“I felt like everyone I met at MSU when I visited was very open and friendly. The scholarship was very generous, and that helped me make my decision to attend MSU.”

Monika Kothari
Canton
Plymouth High School
Academic interests: James Madison College, biology and history
High school activities: Science Olympiad, Model United Nations and Quiz Bowl
Parents: Nikhil and Smita Kothari
“There are a lot of aspects of MSU that students will never learn about or realize until they visit the campus. It was actually the ADS weekend that caused me to seriously consider MSU.”

Logan R. Matthews
Midland
Midland High School
Academic interests: Chemical engineering, economics and computer science
High school activities: Student Council, Programming Club, varsity soccer, Midland County Youth Leadership and Discipleship Group
Parents: Bryan and Tammy Matthews
“I am excited about the opportunity to do research as an undergraduate. The Honors College opportunities and the Izzone, a student section at basketball games that supports the team and represents the students of MSU in a positive manner, were other factors in my decision.”

Justin Mrkva
Toledo, Ohio
St. Francis de Sales High School
Academic interests: Mechanical engineering, computer science, math, science and technology
High school activities: Chess Team, Concert Band and the high school television studio
Parents: Frank and Debbie Mrkva
“I chose Michigan State University because of the healthy balance between undergraduate academics and the research programs.”

Colleen Osak
Troy
Troy Athens High School
Academic interests: Biology, French and literature
High school activities: Marching band, Fed Challenge Team and French Club
Parents: Gary and Mary Osak
“I chose MSU because of all of the opportunities for study abroad and research in the Honors College, as well as the support network of counselors and professors.”

Vishnu Pemmaraju
Troy
Troy High School
Academic interests: Biology, medicine, chemistry and economics 
High school activities: National Honor Society, and track and field
Parents: Ramachandra and Subhadra Pemmaraju
“I chose MSU because of the numerous academic and extracurricular opportunities that they presented to me that no other school even offered.”

Sylvia Reiser
Albuquerque, N.M.
St. Pius X. High School
Academic interests: Mechanical engineering and jazz music
High school activities: Ice hockey, and track and field
Parents: Tim and Anita Reiser
“I chose MSU because it offers so many great opportunities, from academic programs to campus sports and clubs. MSU has everything I need.”

Kyle Safran
Grosse Pointe Farms
Grosse Pointe South High School
Academic interests: Chemistry, biochemistry, biology, math, economics and political science
High school activities: Student Council, soccer and tutoring
Parents: Eric and Cynthia Safran
“I chose MSU because of the flexibility provided by the Honors College and the opportunity to participate in the Professorial Assistantship program.”

Olivia Swailes
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School
Academic interests: Pre-veterinary science, biochemistry, genetics, Spanish and psychology
High school activities: Quiz Bowl, marching and concert bands, National Honor Society, Science Olympiad and swimming
Parents: Steve and Xan Swailes
“MSU offered me opportunities that no other university could match: an excellent honors college, a professorial assistantship, an extensive study abroad program and an exciting campus atmosphere.”

Daniel Wardle
Farmington Hills
Detroit Catholic Central High School
Academic interests: Finance, history and math
High school activities: Student Council, French Club, student newspaper and swimming
Parents:  Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Wardle
“I knew I wanted to stay in the state. My brother, an MSU student, was a big influence, and I like MSU’s campus. Overall, I feel better here than anywhere else.”

Rachael Yales
Maybee
St. Mary Catholic Central
Academic interests: History, English and foreign languages
High school activities: National Honor Society, soccer and cross-country
Parents: Michael Yales and Nancy Sabal
“I chose MSU because the Honors College and the university can provide me with an excellent education and countless opportunities beyond academics.”

University Distinguished Scholars

Alexander Dutch
Lexington, Ky.
Henry Clay High School
Academic interests: Engineering, psychology, architecture and computer graphics
High school activities: Computer programming and distance running
Parents: Ken and Becky Dutch
“Both my parents, and my grandparents went to MSU. I am really impressed with the Honors College program, the strength of the academics and the study abroad programs.”

James F. Funnell
East Amherst, N.Y.
Canisius High School
Academic interests: Microbiology, Latin, classical history, chemistry, philosophy and calculus
High school activities: Debate and speech, Masterminds trivia competition, literary magazine editor, Tae Kwon Do and scuba diving
Parents: Richard and Susan Funnell
“While many factors influenced my final decision, the single biggest factor was MSU’s unparalleled opportunities for undergraduate research as early as my freshman year.”

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