Seton Hill University (SHU) has recently named two of the eight recipients of full scholarships for the next academic year, high school seniors Rachel Hursen and Evan Althouse, as part of the Seton Scholars program. The program, created in 2007, awards full tuition scholarships to incoming freshmen planning to study in an undergraduate program in one of the four SHU academic divisions.
By Stephanie Isacco
Staff Writer
Seton Hill University (SHU) has recently named two of the eight recipients of full scholarships for the next academic year, high school seniors Rachel Hursen and Evan Althouse, as part of the Seton Scholars program. The program, created in 2007, awards full tuition scholarships to incoming freshmen planning to study in an undergraduate program in one of the four SHU academic divisions.
Rachel Hursen, a student at Aquinas Academy in Gibsonia, PA, was awarded a scholarship to study in the Humanities division, starting in the 2010-11 academic year. The daughter of Thomas and Martha Hursen of Pittsburgh, PA, Rachel plans to major in journalism.
On Feb. 1, Rachel was held a surprise reception, where she was presented with the check for the full cost of her tuition at SHU.
“I was completely speechless,” Rachel said. “I had trouble thinking, breathing, standing. The only logical thing to do seemed to be to run to my mom and start crying.”
“It was wonderful,” stated Rachel’s mother, Martha. “Rachel cried like a baby, which she never does. Rachel’s Dad took a bunch of pictures and a video of the check presentation.”
Rachel’s family members said that they used the video footage to surprise her friends and family.
“It has been a great ride, and we thank Seton Hill with all our hearts,” stated Martha.
Evan Althouse was awarded a full scholarship to study in the division of the Natural and Health Sciences. He attends Clover Hill High School in Midlothian, Virginia, and plans to pursue a degree in mathematics.
Evan was presented his check at a ceremony on Jan. 29, with his parents Michael and Alison Althouse in attendance.
“I celebrated by getting almost a week off of school due to snow, but in reality it hasn’t really hit me yet so I haven’t done any celebrating yet,” said Evan.
Rachel discovered SHU through a Catholic college fair at her high school.
“A few weeks later, I began to fill out applications and remembered the New Media program at Seton Hill and figured, ‘Why not?,’” said Rachel. “After applying, I began to really look at the school online and fell in love.”
Evan was exposed to SHU through one of the university’s athletic programs.
“I was introduced to Seton Hill by the lacrosse coach when I got an e-mail from him over the summer after he watched me play,” Evan said. “When the time came to visit schools, I kept Seton Hill on the list and liked the campus enough to go on an official visit.”
“I had a few doubts going into it, but those were erased, and I felt that Seton Hill was the perfect place for me,” he continued.
According to the SHU website, the qualifications for the Seton Scholars scholarship are “1350 or higher combined SAT score, high school grade point average of 3.7 or higher, honors or Advanced Placement coursework pertinent to the major, demonstration of leadership or community service, a letter of recommendation that addresses the student’s ability to excel in the field of study, and an essay written by the student describing his/her decision to major in the chosen field.”