University of Northern Iowa - Old Gold Yearbook (Cedar Falls, IA)

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 UNI Presidential Scholars Proud to Be the Chosen Fifteen As these fifteen students walked across campus from class to class, the sounds of “Hail to the Chief’ rang in their ears. Well, maybe not “Hail to the Chief, but the 1986 Presidential Scholars were aware of the great honor it was to have been one of the “chosen fifteen” to have received this status. 1986 was the first year that UNI of- fered presidential scholarships to eligible high school seniors. To qualify, one must have been in the up- per 10% of his or her class and have had an ACT score of 28 or above. If this eligibility requirement was met, and acceptance to the University was positive, an application was sent to the qualifying student. This application was to be filled out and returned, accompanied by an essay on a chosen topic. Out of 180 applications and essays received, 45 semifinalists were invited to the UNI campus, given tours and a banquet, and one more essay was assigned to be written. From this essay, the 45 were divided up into three categories. Fifteen of the students were to receive a one time. $800 cash award, 15 merit scholars received half tuition and half room and board, renewable each year they remained in college; and the final 15, the presidential scholars, received full tuition, room and board for their en- tire stay at UNI. A 3.5 GPA was re- quired to stay in the program. jodi Hammer, a presidential scholar from Cedar Falls, felt honored to have been chosen as a program finalist. “The group is really good. It’s a greai bunch of people to work with, and the program is excellent. It will be a ver beneficial experience for me when I continue on with graduate studies.” Opportunities to travel were also given to the scholars. The group travelled to Chicago in October to visit the Art Institute, the Indian Exhibition at Chicago University, and the Chicago Museum. The group planned to travel together in the future to othet places across the nation, but no plant had been finalized. Joel Abrahamson, a scholar from Lake Mills, felt that being a presiden Spending the afternoon together for their week- ly seminar in U.S. Religion, the presidenlii' scholars take notes from Dr. Charles Quiri, religions professor. K. N.mUII 2 8 PrwidcalUl Scholar

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New People The Problems of SHOCK are. Those individuals who came to IJNI from larger schools were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get to know people. Many students who leave smaller schools, as in Kelly Steinbronn’s case, felt making friends isn’t pre- sent unless you really work at it.” DeLong seemed to agree and said. I had to make the first effort to make friends. Dana also added. There (her previous college) everyone knows you're new. Here you just blend in.” These same people also commented that they were glad they came to UNI. and after they started meeting people everything changed for the better. Not only did the process of making friends cause the need for adjustment in a student's life, but also classes and teachers affected their attitudes about UNI. Amick com- mented. You can get help from the professors if you make an effort. Many new students found this to be very beneficial because of UNI’s tough academic standing. Steinbronn felt that classes are definitely harder, there seems to be more of a lecture format here. At my old school there were more classes with small group discussion. Another transfer student. John Mobley III, stated. 1 study more because it seems like the teachers expect more. Expectations brought more people here, but results kept people at UNI. Some of the adjustments that must be made may temporarily have thrown the student off guard, but the time spent with the Panthers became worth the trials and tribulations. UNI offered more to many of the transfers. Amick men- tioned more variety, Steinbronn said there are more oppor- tunities. and Arthur felt she had more freedom. Every bit that UNI gave was reflected in the faces of satisfied students. Perhaps satisfaction was one of the signals of transferring from TRANSFER SHOCK to PANTHER FEVER. Thousands of unusual creatures have surrounded you ... there’s no escaping the great atmosphere of UNI. -Ann Gretter K N’andrll Like the bridge they crossed over to come to UNI. Cynthia Stewart and Janelle Roquet stand on the Hudson Road overpass as the UNI-Dome ma- jestically rests in tho background. Trtntfrr Shock 27

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K Nandfll Prudential scholar Deb Hoepner discusses her essay wllh Draftings In series editor Dr. Barbara lountberry. Four volumes were published this year, including the Presidential Scholars volume. Draftings on the Iliad and the Odyssey. tial scholar “is challenging, and will really be beneficial for me in the future.” Academics was not the only require- ment in becoming a presidential scholar. Leadership qualites were stressed as well. Joan Larsen, a scholar from Des Moines said. “The program is not purely academic, but one which stresses leadership as well. It will help prepare me for graduate study, because the entire program is based on graduate seminars. And hopefully it will be very attractive on a resume.” In its first year, the presidential scholar program had proven itself to be beneficial to the students and the University, and will probably be around for years to come, increasing in size and bringing together great minds in the pursuit of higher education. -Barbara Agan Praudcnlul Scholar 29