AUSTIN, Texas—The College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin has selected six students for the Dedman Distinguished Scholars, Class of 2009. These students were selected based on class rank, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, exemplary extracurricular activities, community service and interviews. Each student will receive $10,000 per academic year for four years. Scholarship recipients include:
- Travis Cosban—Taylor High School, Katy, Texas
- Brian Dillon—Strake Jesuit High School, Houston
- Katlyn Jennings—La Porte High School, La Porte, Texas
- Lucas Salinas—Friendswood High School, Friendswood, Texas
- Susan Shaffer—Red Oak High School, Red Oak, Texas
- Xiao “Sherry” Yao—Bellaire High School, Houston
A selection committee interviewed the top 14 students who were selected from a pool of more than 700 applications. In making their decisions, committee members considered academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and important accomplishments.
“The interviews are terrific because all the applicants are so accomplished and poised,” said Dr. Larry Carver, director of the college’s honors program. “It’s always difficult to make the final selection, but I am extremely pleased with the caliber and potential of these young people.”
The naming of the Dedman Distinguished Scholarship honors Robert and Nancy Dedman of Dallas. Their $10 million gift in May 1986 provided the endowment that funds these scholarships, the first of which was awarded for the 1989-1990 academic year. This fall semester the College of Liberal Arts will be home to 19 Dedman Distinguished Scholars. Dedman graduates, some 75 to date, have gone on to matriculate in the country’s best graduate programs, medical and law schools. The scholarships are based on merit rather than need, although most of the applicants are from middle- to low-income families.
For more information contact: Marisa Rainsberger, College of Liberal Arts, 512-471-4945.
