11 named Kelley Scholars

Unlike many of their classmates, 11 freshmen are attending their first day of classes with a clear path laid out for them. These are the 2004 Kelley Scholars. \nEach of these freshmen intend to major in the Kelley School of Business and were directly admitted to the school. The recipients of the award enjoy payment of tuition and fees for four years as well as a stipend for living expenses, the annual value of which is $14,000 for Indiana residents and $20,000 for non-residents. \nThe Kelley Scholars Program is funded by the 1997 gift of $23 million from the E.W. Kelley family. IU named its business school for the Kelley family to recognize their gift.\nEach of these 11 students underwent a rigorous application and screening process to receive the award. \nKatie Paulin, associate director of undergraduate studies in the Kelley School of Business, said 150 applicants to IU were invited to apply for the scholarship.\n"Students initially had to fill out paper applications," she said.\nThis involved writing essays as well as submitting high school transcripts and personal references.\nPaulin said 22 candidates among the original 150 were selected to visit IU during a weekend in the spring for interviews. Their visit also included a campus tour and a special guest dinner.\nKelley Scholar freshman Victoria Stuart Overdorf said candidates participated in interviews with faculty in the business school, Kelley Scholars upperclassmen and members of the Kelley family.\n"Even at dinner, you could tell you were under surveillance," she said, "but it wasn't tense."\nFor many students, the Kelley Scholars award is the deciding factor for attending IU; for others, it's the icing on the cake. \nKelley Scholar freshman Ryan Michael Lubash said he had been accepted to the University of Pennsylvania for business but chose IU because of the money he received from the award.\n"Getting a full ride definitely influenced my decision to come to IU," he said.\nFor freshman Elise Pent the scholarship merely reinforced her desire to attend IU.\n"IU was where I really wanted to go," she said. \nKelley Scholars are also given more opportunities than most freshmen business students. They receive faculty advisers and are allowed to take honors business courses. \nFreshman Georgia Cavvouras said being a Kelley Scholar has allowed her to meet faculty members in the Business School.\n"I believe that being a Kelley Scholar and a direct admit opens a lot of doors for me," she said. "Networking on this campus just expands."\n-- Contact nation & world editor Michael Zennie at mzennie@indiana.edu.