During the weekend of Feb. 18-19, Union University held its annual Scholars of Excellence event. Students arrived on campus Friday, Feb. 18 to participate in the first of two weekends for the annual scholarship competition.
On Friday, they attended a preview day and the president’s dinner, where they heard from Union president Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver and met with faculty members and staff hosts. Later in the evening, there was a concert at Barefoots Joe for the students to enjoy before the big event the following day.
On Saturday, students were evaluated in three different areas: an essay on C. S. Lewis, a personal interview and a group discussion with a hot topic item. After the events of both weekends conclude, university administration will chose one winner to receive free tuition, meal plans and housing for the next four years.
“It gives us an opportunity to recruit the best students in the county by bringing them on campus to experience who we are as a whole. To experience our core values. That’s what sets us apart: the faculty, staff and students. Just being able to watch it all come together is a different experience,” Fran Thomas, special events coordinator, said.
Scholars of Excellence is one of the largest recruiting events that Union offers. Typically, one-third of the freshman class is made up of students who attended scholars weekend. Union welcomed 220 students this year for the competition, the biggest group of students it has ever hosted for the event.
“‘Our motto is ‘we do this because we love God and love people,’ and this is one of the ways we get to do that,” said Mary Helen English, a senior student enrollment counselor.
On Feb 25-26, Union University will host the second and final weekend of Scholars of Excellence, where the regular competitions will take place once again.
“It’s cool to see the people you’ve hosted in the past become students and be involved on campus after just seeing it at a glimpse, ” English said. “We are the living future of what the student might possibly want.”
“We know what’s possible and we want that for you,” Thomas said.
