Hard work paid off as ETSU named the 2002 recipients of the Roan Scholars Leadership awards at a special luncheon and press conference.
The luncheon was held to formally announce the award winners.
Their parents, high school principals and guidance counselors were also invited.
Dr. Bert C. Bach, ETSU provost and vice president of academic affairs, kicked off the reception by introducing ETSU President Dr. Paul Stanton.
“What a special day in the life of the university a day like today is,” Stanton said.
Stanton noted that ETSU’s vision statement has changed in just the past five years.
“ETSU changed its vision statement to become the best regional university in this country – the whole wide country,” he said.
He also recognized the members of the press that were in attendance. “The fact that there are so many of them indicates the particular importance of this endeavor,” he said.
Louis H. Gump, president of Impact Management and founding contributor of the program, gave more information on the program.
“One of the primary goals of this program is to attract students that show leadership potential, character, intellectual curiosity and physical vigor,” he said.
Four high school seniors are chosen during a highly competitive process. According to Bach, the Roan Scholars awards are based on performance and merit as well as nominations submitted by the students’ high school.
“The Roan Scholarship Leadership Program takes the best and the brightest high school leaders from our region and offers them an opportunity to refine and further develop their leadership skills through specially designed leadership activities throughout their four years of college,” said Dr. Nancy Dishner, Roan Scholars Program director.
This year’s recipients are Philip Joel Benfield of Sullivan Central High School, Aya Fukuda of Science Hill High School, Carolyn Michele Richards of Sullivan North High School and Brandy Nicole Wheatley of Daniel Boone High School.
Their awards cover tuition, room and board and books. The awards are also renewable.
In addition to a full scholarship, the students also receive computers and printers donated by Dell.
“It’s a great burden lifted off of my shoulders – a great relief,” Benfield said. “A lot of new doors are going to be opened. You meet a lot of new people.”
The luncheon was also attended by the inaugural Class of 2000 and 2001. The emotion level ran high with both classes. Heather Jones, Class of 2000, began to get choked up as she said, “It’s a great scholarship. Sorry to get choked up. This is just such a great day. Some of you don’t even realize the opportunity this offers.”
The years spent at ETSU are meant to help the Roan Scholars grow and become better leaders.
“The program is designed through mentoring and a series of activities that will engage and develop those students’ leadership skills to produce distinctive leaders on whom our region and our nation will depend in the future,” Bach said.

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