Six earn prestigious full-tuition scholarships from Indiana Tech

July 23, 2020

Six students have earned full-tuition scholarships to attend Indiana Tech this fall. Four were awarded the university’s elite Presidential Scholarship while the other two earned the H. Robert and Lois Gill Scholarship. The award winners were announced during a special signing ceremony in Indiana Tech’s Abbott Center on June 10.

Our Presidential Scholars include:

• Jessica Hartmus, Bishop Luers High School, Fort Wayne: Jessica will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and will be a member of the Warrior’s women’s lacrosse team. At Bishop Luers, Jessica was part of the school’s Catholic Peer Ministry Club and its Knights for Life organization.
• Riley Horvath, Jimtown High School, Elkhart, Ind.: Riley will pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and will be a member of the Warriors’ first women’s wrestling team, which is slated to begin competition this fall. Riley is known in her community for her volunteerism and work with youth groups.
• Nina Penny, De La Salle Institute, Chicago: Nina will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology and will be a member of the Warriors’ women’s volleyball team. Nina earned the Bausch-Lomb Award for excellence in the field of science during her senior year at De La Salle.
• Katelyn Sebring, Heritage Junior/Senior High School, Monroeville, Ind.: Katelyn will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentrating in management. She will also be a member of the Warriors’ women’s track and field team.

Our Gill Scholars are:

• Julia Bockstahler, Victor J. Andrew High School, Oak Forest, Ill.: Julia will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and will be a member of the Warriors’ women’s golf team. A passionate volunteer in her community, Julia is president of Julia’s Legacy of Hope and she is on the committee for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
• Jared Carr, Perrysburg High School, Perrysburg, Ohio: Jared will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and will be a member of the Warrior’s men’s bowling team. Jared is known in his community for his work with veterans, the underprivileged and Special Olympics.

“This 2020 group of scholars is very unique as it has had to demonstrate academic strength and resiliency during unprecedented circumstances created by COVID-19,” said Dr. Dan Stoker, vice president for student affairs and chair of the Indiana Tech Presidential Scholars selection committee. “Like all others in the Class of 2020, they completed their high school careers virtually. Yet, before that, they demonstrated the highest levels of success through community service, excellence in athletics and strong character.”

Stoker also noted that this is the largest class of women scholars to earn these prestigious awards.

“Julia Bockstahler has already been recognized for her leadership within Relay for Life and Nina Penny has been recognized for being an excellent student in the field of science. Without question, all of our scholars are outstanding in their respective communities and should be very proud of their accomplishments,” Stoker said. “I am looking forward to working with this group over the next four years and witnessing how their talents and energy effect our community.”

During the signing ceremony, Indiana Tech also honored the life accomplishments of Lauren Romeo with a posthumous Presidential Scholarship. Lauren, a Hobart, Ind., native, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 1—days after submitting her application for the scholarship.  She was an academically strong candidate who intended to pursue graphic design and play on the women’s soccer team.

Presidential Scholars at Indiana Tech undergo several stages of application, interviews and review as part of the selection process. Each Presidential Scholar must demonstrate excellence in academics and extracurricular activities, a high level of character and a commitment to community service. Throughout their college careers at Indiana Tech, Presidential Scholars work together on community service and leadership development projects in addition to their academic and extracurricular pursuits.

The Gill Scholarship is named for Robert, a 1960 electronics engineering graduate of Indiana Tech, and his wife. Much like recipients of the Presidential Scholarship, Gill Scholars must demonstrate excellence in academics and extracurricular activities, a high level of character and a commitment to community service and the admirable qualities and traits of a good leader, as outlined by the Indiana Tech Scholars Leadership Program.

This year’s group of 41 Presidential Scholarship applicants included 22 who had a high school GPA of 4.0 or higher and 24 who intend to compete in intercollegiate athletics. Eighteen applicants were from states outside Indiana, including Colorado, Florida and Massachusetts.