The College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin has honored five students with a Dedman Distinguished Scholarship, which provides $13,000 per academic year for four years, as well as supplemental funding for study abroad programs. The award is based on class rank, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, exemplary extracurricular activities, community service and an interview.
The Dedman Scholars for the Class of 2013 are:
- Katherine Kling – St. Agnes Academy, Houston
- Lindsey Maxon – Lamar High School, Arlington
- Nolan Oldham – Palacios High School, Palacios
- Natalie San Luis – Jack C. Hays High School, Buda
- Michael Wham – Home Schooled, Woodlands
Finalists were selected from the students who applied to the Plan II Honors Program and to the Liberal Arts Honors Program. A selection committee interviewed the top 15 students who were chosen from a pool of more than 2,100 applications. In making their decisions, committee members considered academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and accomplishments.
“The Dedman Distinguished Scholarship gives us the competitive edge in recruiting to the College of Liberal Arts some of the nation’s brightest young minds,” said Larry Carver, director of the Liberal Arts Honors Program. “These students represent the best and brightest of their peers, and they will contribute greatly to our community during the next four years and beyond.”
The Dedman Distinguished Scholarship honors Robert and Nancy Dedman of Dallas whose $10 million endowment funds the scholarships. To date, their gift has supported 128 Dedman scholars. Although the scholarships are based on merit rather than need, most of the applicants are from middle- to low-income families.