Despite the snow and the cold piercing wind, four prominent high school seniors, accompanied by their parents, high school principals and school counselors made their way to ETSU on Tuesday to receive the prestigious Roan Leader-ship Scholars Award.
The Roan Leadership Scholars award is based on performance, merit and leadership qualities, as well as nominations submitted by the students’ high school.
The program covers tuition, room, board and books and is renewable for an additional three years.
ETSU President Paul Stanton began the luncheon by commending the founding contributor, Louis H. Gump, for his “generosity in creating such a superb scholastic leadership program for this university.
“This is one of the most exciting days for this campus,” Stanton said. “We also applaud the huge commitment on the part of a number of regional leader.”
Louis Gump, president of Impact Management, began the Roan Scholars program to emphasize character and leadership in surrounding communities.
Gump’s enthusiasm added to the thrill of the day. “It is hard to contain my excitement. These young people have dem-onstrated evidence of leadership by their performance and participation in a variety of activities.”
Gump went on to note the tremendous amount of regional support for the program.
“These programs successes are due in large part to Dr. Paul Stanton’s leadership and support, Dr. Nancy Dishner, associate professor of educational leadership and policy analysis, and staff’s administrative talents and tireless efforts, the steering committee’s guidance, the selection committee’s deliberations, and the overwhelming regional acceptance and financial support,” Gump said.
Kristen Truman, a 2000 graduate of Science Hill High School, received the Roan Scholars Award last year.
She said that she and the other recipients have taken part in an amazing program.Truman simply said, “We have become a family.”
Students cannot apply for this scholarship. They can only be nominated by their high schools. After being nominated, the students undergo an extensive process filled with composing papers and being interviewed.
The following students were selected as the Roan Scholars Class of 2001 and will enter ETSU this fall:
Glen Allen Barnett of Cloudland High School,
Mikki Noel Glover of Sullivan East High School,
Brian Thomas McCormack of Science Hill High Schoo,l and
Brittany Suzanne Smith of West Greene High School.

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