FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications, (304) 696-7153
 

Latest class of Erma Byrd Scholars announced

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The latest class of Erma Byrd Scholars at Marshall University is attending MU this fall, Dr. Barry Sharpe, executive director of Marshall’s John R. Hall Center for Academic Excellence, announced today. The scholars consist of six freshmen from West Virginia.

Every year two scholars are selected from each of the state’s three congressional districts. The program, which was established in 1994, honors the late Erma Byrd, wife of West Virginia’s senior United States Senator, Robert C. Byrd.

The new class of Erma Byrd Scholars includes: Cody Collins of Shinnston and Ellen Kist of Parkersburg representing District 1; Brittany Racer of Nitro and Margaret Stonestreet of St. Albans representing District 2; and Michael Bledsoe and Jill Lansden, both of Chapmanville, representing District 3.

The scholars are selected on the basis of an essay, which they wrote during the application process, their high school grade point average and two recommendations. They are required, while at Marshall, to maintain a grade point average of 3.5. The scholars also will have the opportunity, when schedules permit, to visit Washington, D.C., and meet Senator Byrd.

Erma Byrd Scholars are not limited to a particular field of study at Marshall. Current and past scholars have been majors in physics, chemistry, biology, English, history, integrated science and technology, communications studies, political science and teacher education.

For more information, contact Sharpe at (304) 696-2475.

NOTE: Photos of the Erma Byrd Scholars are available for use by the media at http://www.marshall.edu/ucomm/ under Current News Photos.

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