The University of Southern Indiana welcomes the class of 2023 top merit scholarship recipients. Fifty-five incoming freshmen received Presidential, Baccalaureate/Doctor of Medicine, Deans, Provost and Harolyn Torain Multicultural Leadership Scholarships. These students represent some of the brightest students from across the country as well as a wide cross-section of backgrounds and interests.
Photo gallery of merit scholarship recipients.
Presidential Scholars
Presidential Scholarships are awarded annually to 10 Indiana valedictorians and salutatorians of senior high school classes, who are chosen after a competitive interview process. Applicants must attend an accredited high school and earn an SAT score of 1290 or an ACT composite score of 27. The program began in 1988 as an initiative to bring outstanding Indiana students to USI. The full-tuition scholarships are funded by private donors to the USI Foundation.
Liam Collins, of Lowell, Indiana, is the recipient of the David S. Deering Endowed Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of Lowell Senior High School, Collins plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Charles Davis, of Normal, Illinois, is the recipient of the Robert A. and Carole D. Rust Endowed Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of Normal Community West High School, Davis plans to study mechanical engineering in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Alex Edwin, of Henderson, Kentucky, is the recipient of the Ruth Gray Yates Endowed Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of Henderson County High School, Edwin plans to study Biochemistry in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Spence Farmer, of Evansville, is the recipient of the Southern Indiana Higher Education Endowed Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of F. J. Reitz High School, Farmer plans to study visual arts teaching in USI’s College of Liberal Arts.
Vonya Girgis, of Bedford, Indiana, is the recipient of the Robert M. Kent Family Endowed Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of Bedford-North Lawrence High School, Girgis plans to study mechanical engineering in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Alexander Hardy, of Newburgh, Indiana, is the recipient of the Susan R. Enlow Endowed Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of Signature School, Hardy plans to study biology in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Molly Holsopple, of Montgomery, Indiana, is the recipient of the Marian Baker Boelson Endowed Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of Barr-Reeve Junior-Senior High School, Holsopple plans to study chemistry in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Bethanne Lawson, of Lafayette, Indiana, is the recipient of the James J. Giancola and Sally H. Roty Endowed Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of Faith Christian School, Lawson plans to study elementary education in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Lydia Moesner, of Boonville, Indiana, is the recipient of the Janet L. and Daniel M. Fuquay Endowed Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of Boonville High School, Moesner plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Summer Skelton, of Gentryville, Indiana, is the recipient of the Robert L. and Mary L. Koch Endowed Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of Heritage Hills High School, Skelton plans to study biochemistry in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Provost Scholars
The University of Southern Indiana Provost Scholarship is a scholarship program intended to promote academic excellence. For selected scholars, the University provides awards that waive full tuition. These awards are coordinated with other tuition-specific aid (if applicable) to ensure that the total of tuition-specific assistance does not exceed total tuition charges. Students who meet all requirements for the USI Presidential Scholarship will be considered as candidates for this award in the event they are not selected to receive the Presidential Scholarship.
Kinley Day, of Mitchell, Indiana, is a graduate of Mitchell High School and plans to study biology in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Corrie Grubb, of McLeansboro, Illinois, is a graduate of Hamilton County High School and plans to study engineering in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Carolyn Kobe, of Newburgh, Indiana, is a graduate of Castle High School with plans to study biology in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Alysa Lasley, of Princeton, Indiana, is a graduate of Princeton Community High School with plans to study early childhood education in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Katie Lewis, of Waynetown, Indiana, is a graduate of North Montgomery High School with plans to study radiologic and imaging services in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Ryan Memmer, of Elberfeld, Indiana, is a graduate of Wood Memorial High School with plans to study accounting and professional services in USI’s Romain College of Business.
Kali Taber, of Chandler, Indiana, is a graduate of Boonville High School with plans to study marketing in USI’s Romain College of Business.
Sarah Titzer, of Mill Shoals, Illinois, is a graduate of Fairfield Community High School with plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Karlena Wagler, of Loogootee, Indiana, is a graduate of Barr-Reeve Junior-Senior High School with plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Lucas Zoglmann, of Philpot, Kentucky, is a graduate of Daviess County High School with plans to study computer science in USI’s Romain College of Business.
Baccalaureate/Doctor of Medicine Scholars
Baccalaureate/Doctor of Medicine (B/MD) Scholarships are awarded to exceptional Indiana high school students annually, who meet similar academic requirements to those of Presidential Scholars. The B/MD Scholarship program, which offers a provisional seat in the Indiana University School of Medicine to each recipient, is sponsored jointly by USI and the Evansville Center for Medical Education, Indiana University School of Medicine. The full-tuition scholarships are funded by private donors to the USI Foundation.
Aylisadat Anvaripour, of Newburgh, Indiana, is the recipient of the Ethel Reed Endowed B/MD Scholarship. A graduate of Castle High School, Anvaripour plans to study biochemistry in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Arya Bolla, of Carmel, Indiana, is the recipient of the Thomas E. Topper Endowed B/MD Scholarship. A graduate of Park-Tudor School, Bolla plans to study biology in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Alexandria Etienne, of Leopold, Indiana, is the recipient of the Dr. William C. H. Grimm, Jr. and Phyllis R. Grimm Endowed B/MD Scholarship. A graduate of Perry Central Junior-Senior High School, Etienne plans to study biology in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Taylor Evans, of Boonville, Indiana, is the recipient of the Victor V. Schriefer, Jr. Endowed B/MD Scholarship. A graduate of Boonville High School, Evans plans to study biochemistry in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Machella Mohit, of Carmel, Indiana, is the recipient of the Ethel Reed Endowed B/MD Scholarship. A graduate of Carmel High School, Mohit plans to study biochemistry in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Grace Murrell, of Evansville, is the recipient of the Delores DeWitt and Charles H. Browning and Jennifer and Mark Browning Endowed B/MD Scholarship. A graduate of Reitz Memorial High School, Murrell plans to study biology in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Deans Scholars
Deans Scholarships are awarded annually to 10 exceptional students from across the country who rank at or near the top of their high school classes. Applicants meet similar academic requirements to those of B/MD scholars. Recipients of Deans Scholarships receive an award of $2,000 each year, funded by private donors to the USI Foundation. Most Deans Scholars receive additional scholarship funding through their academic departments.
Hanna Clark, of Sellersburg, Indiana, is the recipient of an Olive Carruthers Cliffy Endowed Deans Scholarship. A graduate of Silver Creek High School, Clark plans to study political science in USI’s College of Liberal Arts.
Elizabeth Crites, of Olney, Illinois, is the recipient of an Aline Nunn Renner Endowed Deans Scholarship. A graduate of Richland County High School, Crites plans to study marketing in USI’s Romain College of Business.
Jaden Bryce Diaz, of Evansville, is the recipient of the Bess C. and Elmer W. Halwes Memorial Endowed Deans Scholarship. A graduate of Signature School, Diaz plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Cameron Hough, of Olney, Illinois, is the recipient of an Arthur G. and Elsie D. Kanzler Endowed Deans Scholarship. A graduate of Richland County High School, Hough plans to study accounting and professional services in USI’s Romain College of Business.
Kaleigh Mann, of Worthington, Indiana, is a recipient of an Olive Carruthers Clifft Endowed Deans Scholarship. A graduate of Owen Valley Community High School, Mann plans to study psychology in USI’s College of Liberal Arts.
Erica Michels, of Albion, Illinois, is the recipient of an Arthur G. and Elsie D. Kanzler Endowed Deans Scholarship. A graduate of Edwards County High School, Michels plans to study accounting and professional services in USI’s Romain College of Business.
Carli Morris, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, is the recipient of the Melvin Paul and Emma G. Gorby Endowed Deans Scholarship. A graduate of Mount Carmel High School, Morris plans to study biology in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Ashtynn Powell, of Linton, Indiana, is the recipient of the Henry J. and Hazel D. Bennighof Endowed Deans Scholarship. A graduate of Linton-Stockton High School, Powell plans to study engineering in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Savannah Staples, of Mulkeytown, Illinois, is the recipient of an Aline Nunn Renner Endowed Deans Scholarship. A graduate of Sesser-Valier High School, Staples has yet to determine a major.
Ian Zweifel, of Mooresville, Indiana, is the recipient of the Paul and Madeline Fletchall Endowed Deans Scholarship. A graduate of Covenant Christian High School, Zweifel plans to study biochemistry in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Harolyn Torain Multicultural Leadership Scholars
The Harolyn Torain Multicultural Leadership Scholarship is designed to provide comprehensive support to students who demonstrate academic achievement and leadership in diverse organizations, environments, and leadership capacity for civic engagement and within the 21st century workplace. The program offers a $5,000 academic year award ($2,500 for fall semester and $2,500 for spring semester). Additionally, recipients will participate in an Inclusive Excellence Program that includes various leadership, community service and cultural experiences throughout the academic year. The award is named to honor Torain ’71, the first USI alumni to serve as chair of the USI Board of Trustees.
Sophie Bittner, of Evansville, is a graduate of North High School who plans to study social work in USI’s College of Liberal Arts.
Joseph Bohlen, of Evansville, is a home-schooled student who plans to study engineering in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Reagin Branaman, of Columbus, Indiana, is a graduate of Columbus East High School who plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Jazmin Campos, of Humble, Texas, is a graduate of Quest High School who plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Jackson Cieslack, of Chandler, Indiana, is a graduate of Castle High School who plans to study biology in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Kaleb Conklin, of Haubstadt, Indiana, is a graduate of North High School who plans to study exercise science in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
Savannah Freeman, of Indianapolis, is a graduate of Pike High School who plans to study food and nutrition in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Sarah Fruit, of Evansville, is a graduate of Reitz Memorial High School who plans to study food and nutrition in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Zion Gibson Riley, of Owensboro, Kentucky, is a graduate of Owensboro Senior High School who plans to study art in USI’s College of Liberal Arts.
Breanna Harper, of Jeffersonville, Indiana, is a graduate of Jeffersonville High School who plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Judaea Hopson, of Springfield, Illinois, is a graduate of Springfield Southeast High School who plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Noah Lonaker, of Noblesville, Indiana, is a graduate of Noblesville High School who plans to study political science in USI’s College of Liberal Arts.
Viktoriia Mayatska, of Evansville, is a graduate of Harrison High School who plans to study art in USI’s College of Liberal Arts.
Lee Moore, Jr., of Matteson, Illinois, is a graduate of Chicago Christian who plans to study psychology in USI’s College of Liberal Arts.
Madison Risley, of Evansville, is a graduate of Signature School who plans to study business administration in USI’s Romain College of Business.
Payton Stewart, of Evansville, is a graduate of the EVSC New Tech Institute who plans to study psychology in USI’s College of Liberal Arts.
Mackenzie Swartzentruber, of Montgomery, Indiana, is a graduate of Barr-Reeve Junior-Senior High School who plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Elijah Toavs, of Sandys, Bahamas, is a home-schooled student who has yet to determine a major.
Caroline Turner, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, is a graduate of North Montgomery High School who plans to study nursing in USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Merit Scholars must maintain full-time continuous enrollment in each regular semester, with a minimum of 30 semester hours successfully completed each academic year.
