Civil, Electrical, Computer, and Freshman Engineering Programs Welcome Four National Merit Scholars to the Fall 2011 Class.

The University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering and Applied Science adds four more National Merit Scholars as Kyle Compton, Scott Fink, Daniel Hethcox and Jeff Nainaparampil prepare to enter the college's civil, electrical, computer, and freshman engineering programs. The freshman engineering program is specially designed to give engineering students a glimpse into each program and help them better decide which specialty they would like to pursue.

The National Merit Scholarship competition recognizes high school students who show outstanding academic promise.  About 1.5 million students take the Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) each year to qualify as a National Merit Scholar. In this highly competitive process, less than one out of every 100 students that apply becomes a National Merit Scholar. These extraordinary students include valedictorians, those with perfect SAT scores, and 4.0+ GPAs.

“The steadily increasing numbers of National Merit Scholars and other top students enrolling in the College of Engineering and Applied Science is the highest testimonial to the quality of our programs, faculty and research achievements,” states CEAS Dean Carlo Montemagno. “All of us at the college are committed to continually raising our standard of excellence so that our students and graduates are always rated among the ‘Best of the Best.’”

Kyle Compton is entering the civil engineering program at UC this fall. Kyle graduated from Talawanda High School in Hamilton, Ohio. Kyle is a UC Honors student and has received a Cincinnatus Excellence Scholarship.

Scott Fink’s list of accomplishments is nothing short of impressive. Scott graduated as valedictorian from Highland High School in Wadsworth, Ohio. He received a perfect 36 on his ACT, and has accepted the Cincinnatus Excellence Scholarship. Scott will enter into the electrical engineering program at UC as an ACCEND and UC Honors student. While speaking of his future at UC, Scott states, “I hope to receive my master's degree while building relationships through co-op.” After graduating, Scoot hopes to work on the design of prosthesis.

In addition to becoming a National Merit Scholar, Daniel Hethcox names being an Eagle Scout, UC Band member, and UC Honors student as some of his accomplishments. “When I was first looking at colleges, I was interested in larger institutions with strong engineering programs as well as many other options. Cincinnati stuck out because of its strong reputation and incredible co-op program,” says Daniel. Daniel attended Dublin Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio, and plans to graduate from UC with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Daniel has also accepted the Cincinnatus Excellence Scholarship.

Jeff Nainaparampil, incoming UC Honors student, enters the computer engineering program this fall. Jeff attended and graduated from Beavercreek High School in Beaver Creek, Ohio. Jeff has accepted the Cincinnatus Excellence Scholarship.

Kyle Compton, Scott Fink, Daniel Hethcox, and Jeff Nainaparampil are just four of this year’s National Merit Scholars entering engineering programs at UC this fall. We look forward to seeing their achievements while attending and after graduating from the college. Bright futures beckon for each of these outstanding freshmen whether they plan to stay at UC to continue their education, continue their careers in industry, or go on to found their own companies