Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) has awarded full-tuition scholarships to four incoming freshmen who embodies the saintly qualities of its foundress.
Katherine Ginder of Carmel, Caitlyn Leohr of Clay City, Kaylie Meehan of West Terre Haute and Brooke Stateler of Shepardsville are the recipients of the 2018-19 Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Scholarship, SMWC’s highest award. The scholarship is named after the College’s foundress and 8th U.S. saint.
These Saint Mother Theodore Guerin scholars will join an active group on campus tasked with carrying on the values of Saint Mother Theodore herself: faith in Providence, quality education, persistence in service, reflection, and mentorship.
“Everything we do and everything that is important to the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Scholars Program is rooted in one way or another in the life of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and the Sisters of Providence. As a group, we support one another in our dedication to academic excellence, faith, spirituality, service, reflection, and community building,” says Richard Collins, Ph.D., coordinator of the program and associate professor of theology.
The scholars support each other’s growth — personally and spiritually. “We have monthly faith formation meetings, we engage in service on campus and in the community, students mentor one another and they work on campus projects together,” Collins said.
More than 70 students applied for the scholarship this year; 53 attended the scholarship competition last fall. The application requirements include an online application to SMWC, an essay and a letter of recommendation. Students were interviewed by a three-person panel during the competition.
To be eligible, students must be admitted or enrolling as a full-time, campus-based SMWC student, demonstrate unique experiences, aptitudes and abilities to make a difference in their local communities, must be planning to enroll in a degree-seeking program and must hold a 3.2 high school GPA or higher.
“It is inspiring to read about how so many of these wonderful young women and men are committed to caring for others and being active in their communities,” Collins said about the application essays received this year. “The students we interviewed were consistently professional, articulate, and just downright interesting to converse with.”
The Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Scholarship is renewable for four years; awardees also receive a tablet.