Presley Williams of Augusta High School in Augusta, Kansas, was one of five high school seniors recently awarded the Cardinal Newman Scholarship, Newman University’s highest and most prestigious financial award that covers four years of tuition at the university.
Williams visited campus Tuesday, Feb. 19, when admissions surprised her with a basket of goodies and balloons in congratulations.
Recipients of the Cardinal Newman Scholarship must have at least a 3.9 cumulative high school GPA and a 29 composite ACT score. Award candidates complete an online application and essay before the final step in the process, an on-campus interview. A total of 23 candidates were invited to campus to interview with a selection committee for the award.
Williams is a member of the National Honor Society, has taken on leadership roles in Awana and Vacation Bible School and has placed at regional and state Science Olympiad. She also attended Newman University’s Investigative Summer Science Program in 2011.
Williams is interested in entering the medical field and feels that Newman University is a perfect fit.
“I had gone to a camp here before and I really liked it. It was really cool to actually live on campus. And (Newman) is a smaller college, which is a big deal to me.”
The scholarship, named for Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, is renewable for four years and is the most exclusive scholarship the university awards. The approximate value of all five awards for the 2019-20 class totals $654,830
