KNOXVILLE — High school seniors from Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas have been selected as finalists for the 2011 class of Haslam Scholars at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The finalists will be on campus next month to interview. Fifteen will be invited to be part of the 2011-2012 class of Haslam Scholars.
Selection criteria include scholastic achievement, leadership potential, special talents, and maturity and seriousness of purpose.
Haslam Scholars will be part of an intimate academic and leadership group mentored by top faculty. Haslam Scholars Program benefits include a $1,500 laptop computer and a study-abroad experience valued at $4,000, as well as up to $5,500 to support students’ honors thesis research and travel to present their work. In addition, each Haslam Scholar will receive a scholarship package that totals $16,200.
The program was created three years ago with $2.5 million from Jimmy and Dee Haslam. Jimmy Haslam is president and CEO of Pilot Travel Centers. Dee Haslam is CEO of RIVR Media and also chairs the UT Development Council. The Haslams chair the Campaign for Tennessee for the Knoxville campus.
Jim and Natalie Haslam contributed an additional $2.5 million to support the program. Jim Haslam is chairman of the board of Pilot Travel Centers LLC and chairman of the board and president of Pilot Corp.
There are now 44 Haslam Scholars studying on the UT Knoxville campus. The first class of Haslam Scholars will graduate in 2012.
This year, the Haslam Scholars Program received requests for initial interviews from more 250 students.
The finalists are:
- Sonia Ajmera, a senior at White Station High School in Memphis, is president of the Invisible Children Foundation and plans to major in pre-medicine.
- William Barbour, a senior at Dobyns Bennett High School in Kingsport, attended the Governor’s School for Sciences and Engineering and plans to major in engineering.
- Stephanie Biggs, a senior at Webb School in Knoxville is a National Merit Semi-Finalist who plans to major in global studies.
- John Burnum, a senior at Franklin High School in Franklin, attended the Governor’s School for Computational Physics and plans to major in physics.
- Imani Chatman, a senior at Siegel High School in Murfreesboro, is a National Merit Commended Student who plans to major in pre-medicine.
- Ryan Clark, a senior at Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville, attended the Governor’s School for the Arts and plans to major in mathematics and music.
- Cayce Davis, a senior at Robinson High School in Little Rock, Ark., is active in theater and the student council and plans to major in architecture.
- Emily Duchac, a senior at Siegel High School in Murfreesboro, is president of the French club and plans to major in psychology.
- Phoebe Fogelman, a senior at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, is a National Merit Semi-finalist who plans to major in engineering.
- Evan Ford, a senior at Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, is president of the National Honors Society and plans to major in physics and philosophy.
- Patrick Givens, a senior at Bearden High School in Knoxville, is a former Boys State delegate who plans to major in engineering.
- Shivani Goyal, a senior at Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville, is a member of the freshman mentoring executive board who plans to major in psychology.
- Aaron Haynes, a senior at Tennessee High School in Bristol, is a National Honors Society president and plans to major in engineering.
- Emma Hollmann, a senior at Cookeville High School in Cookeville, is editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and plans to major in engineering.
- Alexis Jackson, a senior at Harding Academy in Memphis, is a member of the Bridge Builders leadership group and plans to major in biology.
- Carla Javier, a senior at Catholic High School in Knoxville, is a weekly columnist for the News Sentinel who plans to major in journalism and electronic media.
- Ashwini Joshi, a senior at White Station High School in Memphis, attended the Governor’s School for the Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage and plans to major in biology.
- Elizabeth Ku, a senior at Arlington High School in Arlington, Tenn., is a National Merit Commended Student who plans to major in finance.
- Christopher Ludtka, a senior at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, is a National Merit Semi-finalist who plans to major in engineering.
- Allison Montague, a senior at Clarksville High School in Clarksville, is a National Merit Semi-finalist who plans to major in pre-medicine.
- Robert “Bobby” Nowell, a senior at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, is a founding member of his high school’s speech and debate team and plans to major in political science.
- Tyrel Prentiss, a senior at Webb School in Knoxville, is a National Merit Semi-finalist who is undecided about his major.
- Kenna Rewcastle, a senior at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, is a National Merit Commended Student who plans to major in chemistry and environmental science.
- Carly Rider, a senior at McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, Ga., is a National Merit Semi-finalist who plans to major in psychology.
- Julia Ross, a senior at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, attended the Governor’s School for International Studies and is undecided about her major.
- Fadi Saleh, a senior at the Governor’s Academy of Mathematics and Science in Knoxville, co-founded his high school’s philosophy club and plans to major in microbiology.
- Eric Tiller, a senior at American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa, Ala., is a graduate of the Forerunners leadership program and plans to major in biology.
- Marek Twarzynski, a senior at Catholic High School in Knoxville, is a National Merit Semi-finalist who plans to major in chemistry.
- R.J. Vogt, a senior at Centennial High School in Franklin, is a National Merit Semi-finalist who is undecided about his major.
For more information about the Haslam Scholars Program, see http://honors.utk.edu/haslam.html.
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C O N T A C T :
Amy Blakely, (865-974-5034, amy.blakely@tennessee.edu)