UC Announces Top Winners in $11 Million Scholarship Competition

Their experience at the University of Cincinnati will prepare them to be the nation’s most promising new designers, engineers and composers. Those are just a few of the dreams ahead for the university’s new Cincinnatus full scholarship award recipients. Each of the 12 winners of the Cincinnatus Awards will receive $60,000 to pay for UC tuition, books, room and board. As a result, the award drew some of the nation’s best and brightest students to UC, turning down admission offers from schools such as Yale, Duke, Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, James Madison University, Georgetown University, University of Southern California and University of Michigan.

A tradition at UC since 1997, hundreds of students come to campus each year in February to compete for the scholarship awards. Every participant goes home a winner, receiving different levels of $11 million in awards money. This year five of the full scholarship recipients of Cincinnatus VII have the added distinction of being named Presidential Scholars, an honor for top performers and two students from the Tristate.
Here are the newest awardees:

Presidential Scholars

Emily Hamburg, Morrow, Ohio – Hamburg says it was the solid reputation of the engineering program that brought her to UC. The 18-year-old Little Miami High School graduate plans to major in materials science and engineering. She was co-editor of her high school year book, field commander of the marching band, and was a member of the National Honor Society. Emily was also a member of the Little Miami High School Academic Team, the league champions. The Cincinnatus competition also considers a student’s dedication to service, which Emily demonstrated through her volunteer work at Morrow Elementary School and her service with the Warren County Historical Society and Museum.

Michael Zdinak, Florence, Ky. – This 18-year-old 2002 Kentucky Governor’s Scholar is a graduate of St. Henry District High School in Erlanger. He belonged to the National Honor Society, and his high school activities included membership on the Academic Team and participation in his high school theater and pep band. In addition to activities with his high school’s Amigos XXI Service and Social Awareness Club, the political science major also volunteered service with the Special Olympics.

Jason Denner, Newburgh, Ind. – The 2003 valedictorian of Castle High School was first attracted to UC because of the prestigious College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where he plans to major in clarinet. He was involved in his high school’s orchestra, jazz band and theater, and performed volunteer service for the National Honor Society’s reading program. The National Merit Scholar and Academic Intramural Team Champion also volunteered at the Evansville Philharmonic’s “Instrumental Petting Zoos” for children, where children could play with donated instruments.

Matthew Anthony, Springfield, Ill. – The 18-year-old industrial design major from Springfield, Ill. says he wanted to attend the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning after reading that I.D. (International Design) Magazine ranked the School of Design among the top 10 in the world. In addition to his many academic honors at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, Matthew competed on the varsity cross-country and track teams and played drums in jazz band. His service included performing in band tours at area schools and nursing homes, as well as volunteering for food bank drives.

Michael Ippolito, Brandon, Fla. – Michael was invited to the competition after he applied to the internationally-recognized College-Conservatory of Music, where he’ll study composition. The Dean’s List student and National Merit Scholar was president of the Brandon High School debate team and was active in the Latin Club, school drama program and the school orchestra. His service included volunteer work with the Meals on Wheels program and the Junior Class Food Drive.

General Cincinnatus Top Scholars

Brett Albert, Grove City, Ohio – This 18-year-old president of the National Honor Society, member of the Grove City High School swim team, and saxophone section leader of the marching band is now looking forward to majoring in architecture. He was invited to the scholarship competition after he was accepted into the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. Brett’s service activities included volunteer work through the Key Club at his high school, including service for the Ronald McDonald House and an area nursing home.

Andrea England, Dublin, Va. – The Pulaski County High School graduate was a member of her high school theater troupe, sang in the choir, was secretary of the drama club and her school chapter of the National Honor Society, and captain of the cheerleading squad. She served as a volunteer for the summer reading program at Radford Public Library and also participated in recording a book on tape for the American Cancer Society. Andrea has joined the UC Honors Scholars program for academically talented students and will major in French.

Wendy Goodwin, Pleasant Plain, Ohio – Wendy turned down admission to Yale and Duke by accepting the scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. “I didn’t want to come out of undergrad $120,000 in debt, and I knew UC had a solid engineering program,” says the 18-year-old biomedical engineering major and graduate of Ursuline Academy. The president of her school chapter of the National Honor Society and former president of the Latin Club was also a member of the Junior Engineering Technical Society, plus she played varsity basketball. She was a member of 4-H and served as a camp counselor for the Little Miami Environmental Camp. She was also a student member of the Violence Prevention Steering Committee, a Warren County initiative to address domestic violence.

Candice Leavell, Jeffersonville, Ind. – Candice was 2003 valedictorian of Our Lady of Providence High School, senior vice president, and editor of her high school year book. The pre-pharmacy major served on the teen senate for the Black Achievers organization and was a finalist for Black Achiever of the year. Her service activities included educating people about the importance of organ donation, participating in Goodwill clothing drives and tutoring. She is also very active with her church, the First Baptist Church of Hodgenville. Candice has a string of honors for her academic achievements and will join UC’s Honors Scholars Program this fall.

Jeffrey Rose, New Bremen, Ohio – The 18-year-old salutatorian of New Bremen High School was president of his class, co-editor of the school newspaper and a member of  the varsity cross-country and  track teams. He was a member of the National Honor Society and commended as a National Merit Scholar. Jeffrey volunteered service as a 10-year member with the 4-H Club and also as an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts. His interest in studying architecture brought him to UC, and he was invited to the Cincinnatus competition after he applied to the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.

Rebecca Saathoff, Lubbock, Texas – The 17-year-old graduate of Lubbock High School says it was the reputation of the College-Conservatory of Music that interested her in UC. She was invited to the Cincinnatus competition after her audition for CCM. Rebecca’s a member of the National Honor Society, was a member of the National Thespian Society, was a member of her school choir and was captain of her high school dance team. Her volunteer work included service with Habitat for Humanity, the Ronald McDonald House, Food Bank and the Salvation Army. She’ll major in music history and has joined UC’s Honors Scholars Program.

Veronica Sterling, Springfield Township, Ohio – “Roni Ann” was 2003 salutatorian of Winton Woods High School and was president of Student Council, president of the AAA Honor Society and co-captain of the drill team. She performed in the choir and played saxophone in her high school band. The 18-year-old architecture major was also an American Math Competition finalist, honored by the Academic Achievement Awards and was a regular on the Dean’s List and honor roll. Her service included participation with Santa Saturday, Habitat for Humanity, church youth group activities, ambassador for the Hugh O’Brien Youth Ministry and tutoring other students. Her brother, Brent, is a Lindner Honors-PLUS scholar in the UC College of Business Administration.