Center welcomes 10 new scholars

The University of Louisville and the McConnell Center welcomed the latest class of McConnell Scholars to campus June 19-22.

The students are the 20th group of 10 to enter UofL through a premier scholarship and educational enrichment program for high-achieving Kentucky students the university and U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell established in 1991.

McConnell Scholars receive an enhanced academic experience that includes foreign and domestic travel, private sessions with prominent political and community leaders and opportunities to study with national authors and historians.

The newest UofL McConnell Scholars are:

• Paige Brewer, of Wilder, is a 2011 graduate of Notre Dame Academy where she served as senior class president, won the National Peace Institute Essay Contest and participated in the Kentucky Governor's Scholar Program. She plans to major in political science.
• Arsh Haque, of Elizabethtown, Ky, is a 2011 graduate of Elizabethtown High School. He is a National Merit Finalist, Kentucky Governor's Scholar and the Kentucky High School Speech League Oratorical Declamation State Champion. He plans to major in biology with a minor in political science.
• Cathrine Mountain, of Frankfort, is a 2011 graduate of Franklin County High School.  She studied abroad to South Africa and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. She was also a Kentucky Governor's Scholar. She plans to major in biology with a minor in political science.
• Danielle Robinette, of Ft. Thomas, is a 2011 graduate of Highlands High School where she was a National Merit Finalist and Kentucky Governor's Scholar. She plans to major in Spanish and political science.
• Samantha Roney, of Danville, is a 2011 graduate of Danville High School and participant on the 2010 National Council on Youth Leadership. She was also a Kentucky Governor's Scholar. She plans to major in economics and political science and minor in Spanish.
• Sean Southard, of Owensboro, is a 2011 graduate of Daviess County High School where he served as senior class president and was named to the school's Hall of Fame. He was a U.S. Senate Page in 2010. He is an undecided major.
• Andrew Stewart, of Radcliff, is a 2011 graduate of North Hardin High School where he served as senior class president and was named the 2009 USATF Kentucky Male Athlete of the Year. Andrew is currently a member of the University of Louisville's cross country team and plans to major in political science with a minor in psychology.
• Joel Ben Thomas, of Cadiz, is a 2011 graduate of Trigg County High School where he received a commonwealth diploma and received the Junior Rotarian Award. He was also a Kentucky Governor's Scholar. He plans to major in political science with a minor in anthropology.
• Benjamin Whitlock,  of Campbellsville, is a 2011 graduate of Green County High School where he was named the NCCEP Youth Leadership Summit Scholar, Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute Scholar and Lincoln Trail Youth Salute Scholar. He plans to major in pre-medicine with a minor in political science.
• Sam Whittaker, of Paducah, is a 2011 graduate of St. Mary High School where he earned valedictorian honors and participated in the Kentucky Governor's Scholar Program. He plans to major in history and political science.

Pictures from McConnell Freshman Orientation