As Ohio University strives to commit to diversity
President Roderick McDavis formally welcomed the first-ever group of Appalachian Scholars to OU at a June 8 news conference.
Ten students were selected from 174 applicants, said Christine Taylor, director of university diversity at the news conference.
This scholarship is about access opportunity and transformation Taylor said.
Each student will receive a four-year renewable scholarship, an annual book stipend and will participate in an annual leadership seminar. They will also receive funding for an approved professional conference during their junior year, among other opportunities, McDavis said. The scholarships are funded through private donations.
The scholarships are need-based and available to students living in 29 of Ohio's 88 counties. Some of the counties include Athens, Gallia, Harrison, Morgan, Noble and Pike.
Four of the students will be attending OU's regional campuses this fall, then transferring to the Athens campus at the beginning of their third year.
The university will provide a guided approach to help the students with their transfers to Athens, Taylor said.
It is important that the students feel comfortable here in Athens, McDavis said.
One of the goals of the scholarship is to encourage the recipients to give back to the area once they have completed their education.
This is a proud day
said Charles Bird, vice president for regional higher education. I know you will make a difference in the future of Appalachia
he said to the students, noting that he is a child of Appalachia as well.
Upon discovering that he was one of the 10 students chosen to be an Appalachian Scholar, Justin Birchfield said he was ecstatic.
Words can't even explain how thrilled I was
he said.
Birchfield, who is from Ripley, will attend OU's Athens campus and major in education. After getting his teaching license, Birchfield said he plans to stay in the Appalachian region and teach.
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