Yeager Scholars Class of 2011 selected

Eleven students will begin their studies at Marshall University this fall as the newest members of the Society of Yeager Scholars.

The society is named for West Virginia native Ret. Brigadier General Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager, who piloted the first plane to break the sound barrier. This fall marks the 20^th anniversary of the Yeager Scholars’ first incoming class.

The 11 students were selected for their high aptitude test scores, excellent grades, interpersonal and communication skills, readiness to accept and meet challenges, and leadership potential.

They will join 29 other Yeager Scholars already on campus. Along with these students, they will participate in special interdisciplinary seminars and extracurricular activities designed to promote intellectual development and foster emerging leadership skills.

As Yeager Scholars, they are required to maintain a rigorous course load with a 3.5 GPA and participate in campus and community activities. Each also will have the opportunity to study literature, political science or history at Oxford University in the summer after their sophomore year, and will have another opportunity for study abroad in a program related to his or her major and/or foreign language minor.   

Competition for these scholarships was keen, with students applying from as far away as Michigan and Florida. The 11 students chosen were selected through three levels of review: examination of their applications and two interviews – one by local interviewers near their homes, and one by a panel of interviewers on the Marshall University Huntington campus.

The decision on selection of the 11 scholars was the result of hundreds of hours of work by many different people – university faculty and staff, university alumni, Society of Yeager Scholars Board members and community members.

“We are in the enviable and difficult position of having a very talented and deep applicant pool. It is very hard to select only eleven,” said Dr. Barry Sharpe, Executive Director of Marshall’s John R. Hall Center for Academic Excellence. “They are an impressive group with exemplary academic records and strong indicators of leadership potential.”

This group of scholars has a wide variety of academic interests, as does each year’s entering scholars. While they were on campus for interviews in early March, they talked with professors about possible majors, such as biology, chemistry, English, history, journalism, music, nursing, political science and theater. Like many honors students, some of these scholars will end up with more than one major.

The following students were chosen as the Yeager Scholars Class of 2011:

Ennis Ayla Barbery of Athens, W.Va. Barbery will graduate from PikeView High School and is interested in a career in journalism or law.

Laci Breanne Browning of Pineville, W.Va. Browning will graduate from Wyoming County East High School. She plans to major in biology and study medicine after graduation from college.

Brianna Cathleen Dickerson of Virginia Beach, Va. Dickerson will graduate from Princess Anne High School. She plans to major in psychology and pursue a career as a forensic investigator.

Elizabeth Anne Fleming of South Bend, Ind. Fleming will graduate from John Adams High School. She will play for the Marshall University volleyball team and plans to major in international affairs. She also would like to pursue a career as a United States Foreign Service Officer.

Rylee Grace Genseal of Sevierville, Tenn. Genseal will graduate from Gatlinburg-Pittman High School. She is planning to study medicine and serve as a general physician or pediatric oncologist.

Henry David Heisey of Worthington, Ohio. Heisey will graduate from Thomas Worthington High School. He plans to major in nursing and pursue a career in medicine or the health professions.

Megan Nicole Hunt of Ravenswood, W.Va. Hunt will graduate from South Charleston High School and plans to major in biochemistry and music. Her career interests include medical research and musical performance.

Sarah Elizabeth Ison of Greenup, Ky. Ison will graduate from Russell High School. Ison plans to major in biology and Spanish. Her career interests include medicine and veterinary medicine.

Ellen Kastner Moore of Knoxville, Tenn. Moore will graduate from Knoxville Catholic High School. She will play for the Marshall University women’s tennis team and plans to major in biology in preparation for medical school or a career in the health sciences.

Margaret Maryann Stephens of Leon, W.Va. Stephens will graduate from Point Pleasant High School. She plans to major in biology and study medicine after graduation from college.

Zachary Dane Woods of Newnan, Ga. Woods will graduate from Northgate High School and plans to major in international affairs. He is interested in a career in government service.

For information about the Society of Yeager Scholars, contact Dr. Barry Sharpe, Executive Director, John R. Hall Center for Academic Excellence, by calling (304) 696-2475 or via e-mail, sharper@marshall.edu.