Winners of 2024 Summit Scholars Competition to receive full, 4-year scholarships to Purdue Fort Wayne

Posted: 04/22/24

Author: Geoff Thomas

Categories: Administration

Key Info

• Purdue Fort Wayne announces 2024-25 Summit Scholars Competition winners
• Seven incoming freshmen earn full, four-year scholarships
• Six Chapman Scholars
• One Doermer Distinguished Scholar

Purdue University Fort Wayne's annual effort to identify top high school seniors who, based on their academic merit and community involvement, will receive full, four-year scholarships to PFW has reached the moment of truth.

It's called the Summit Scholars Competition and the class of 2024-25 is made up of six students identified as Chapman Scholars and another who has earned the title of Doermer Distinguished Scholar.

Conducted remotely to encourage participation from applicants near and far - including those whose families may be facing a degree of financial insecurity that would make travel to Fort Wayne a hardship - this year's competition received a record 70 applications, which was a 25% increase from last year.

CHAPMAN SCHOLARS

Achintya Chaudhary is from Kolkata, India, and plans to major in computer science. He is the son of Jay Kant Prasad Chaudhary and Sapna Kumari. His extracurricular activities at Delhi Public School Ruby Park include membership on the Debate, Model United Nations, and Quiz teams, and participation in the Aviation Club.

Jeanelly Hernandez, a student at South Side High School in Fort Wayne, is the daughter of Domingo Hernandez and Teresita Rodriguez. She plans to major in communication sciences and disorders. Her school activities include involvement with the International Baccalaureate Program, French Honors Society, National Honor Society, membership in the French and Key clubs, and varsity tennis.

Amelie Mach is a student at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, Illinois. She is the daughter of Mark Mach and Michaelene Ksycki-Mach and intends to major in mechanical engineering. Mach's school activities include varsity basketball, cross country, and track and field. She is also a member of the marching band, National Honor Society, and Pi Sigma Pi.

Benjamin Meyer is a student at Riverside High School in Indianapolis and plans to major in computer science. He is the son of Daniel and Mary Ann Meyer. His extracurricular activities include membership in the Latin and Robotics clubs, National Honor Society, and varsity baseball.

Sophia Sicoe, a native of Canada, is a student at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne. She is the daughter of Cosmin and Mihaela Sicoe and plans to major in biology. Sicoe's involvement outside of the classroom includes varsity track and field, French Club, and National Honor Society. She also trains as a dental assistant at Anthis Career Academy and serves as the president of a church youth group.

Haley Sponaugle, a resident of Luckey, Ohio, and student at Eastwood High School in Troy Township, plans to major in ecology and evolutionary biology. She is the daughter of John and Valerie Sponaugle. Her school activities include varsity cross country and track and field, Tri-M Music Honor Society, National Future Farmers of America, and Key Club International.

The Chapman Scholars Program was endowed in 2007, and the first scholarships were awarded in 2009. Howard Chapman and his late wife, Betsy, established the four-year scholarships, in which the recipients may pursue any degree at Purdue Fort Wayne.

DOERMER DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR

Joshua Roper attends Snider High School in Fort Wayne. Roper is the son of Steven and Sheila Roper. He plans to major in marketing and management. Roper's extracurricular activities include varsity cross country and track and field, indoor track, and band.

The Doermer Distinguished Scholars Program is made possible by the late Richard T. Doermer and his family's foundation. Doermer was a well-known and well-respected businessman and philanthropist who had a great fondness for this university.

The Doermer Program was established in 2006 and has funded one scholar each year since 2012. It provides a four-year, merit-based scholarship to an incoming freshman student who majors in business, and allows the recipient to have networking opportunities with the local business community, work with mentors, and participate in internships. Recipients also have the opportunity to take part in an international business experience and are expected to complete a community-based business project during their junior and senior years.

To learn more about the Summit Scholars Competition, its selection process, and the programs, contact Michele Shawver, Chapman Scholars Program director and Summit Scholars Competition coordinator, at 260-481-0535 or [email protected].

For additional information, contact Geoff Thomas at [email protected]or 260-437-7657 (mobile).