A celebration of The Ohio State University that is 150 years in the making includes a new scholarship program designed to develop current students into future leaders.

Ohio State awarded 150 sesquicentennial scholarships to students across the university for the 2019-20 academic year and of those, 32 students come from the College of Arts and Sciences. The Sesquicentennial Student Scholar Leadership Program is one part of the university’s sesquicentennial celebration and demonstrates a commitment to increasing access and affordability while recognizing students’ academic and non-academic accomplishments and diverse interests.

“The Ohio State University has transformed lives for nearly a century and a half. I look forward to celebrating this historic occasion with members of our new scholarship program and the rest of the Buckeye community,” said President Michael V. Drake. “These student leaders will help lay the foundation for the next 150 years of excellence and impact.” 

“I am thrilled for our 32 exceptional Arts and Sciences student leaders who have been selected as sesquicentennial scholars. For 150 years, Arts and Sciences has been the bedrock of the Ohio State experience, and this outstanding group of students — through their breadth of study, diversity and excellence — embodies the value of an Arts and Sciences education as Ohio State looks toward its future," said Janet M. Box-Steffensmeier, interim executive dean and vice provost of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Scholars receive $2,500 for the first year of the program, and the scholarships are renewable for up to six additional semesters or completion of their current degree program, whichever comes first.

Scholarship recipients represent all campuses, colleges and undergraduate, graduate and professional student populations.

Undergraduate Arts and Sciences students receiving the scholarship:

• Elena Akers, International Studies
• Ellen Baker, Studio Art
• Suzy Bangudi, Neuroscience
• Pamela Bertschi, Biology
• Luke Colin, Biology
• Maddie Conley, English
• Akshaykumar Ganesh, Neuroscience
• Sydney Green, Political Science
• Clara Harrod, Psychology
• Kyle Huffman, Neuroscience
• Brendan Kelley, Communication
• Mitchell Lazarow, Atmospheric Sciences
• David Merwin, Arabic
• Mariah Muhammad, Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Alexis Oberdorf, World Politics
• Anna Prior, Arts Management
• Zach Salinas, Biology
• Kaitlyn Snyder, Sociology
• Malika Sunasara, Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Camille Victor, Communication
• John Vu, Biochemistry
• Mia Williams, Dance
• Rainier Yano, Pyschology
• Mingxin Xie, Economics

Graduate Arts and Sciences students receiving the scholarship:

• Demetrio Antolini, Italian
• Ebenezer de Oliveira, Master of Mathematical Sciences
• Santy Gualapuro Gualapuro, Spanish and Portuguese
• Sade Lindsay, Sociology
• Aviva Neff, Theatre
• Erin Panczyk, Chemistry
• Sharbreon Plummer, Arts Administration, Education and Policy
• Deondre Smiles, Geography

Beyond financial support, sesquicentennial scholars will receive leadership training and professional development support, and serve as sesquicentennial ambassadors at programs and events.

The scholars program, and the learning opportunities that go with it, support the charge and motto of Ohio State.

“For nearly 150 years, Ohio State has diligently pursued its mission of ‘education for citizenship.’ This program builds on that tradition by creating new opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce A. McPheron. 

To learn more about The Ohio State University Sesquicentennial and see the full list of student scholars, click here.