Last modified: Thursday, August 15, 2002
Two of Cincinnati's best students selected as Wells Scholars at Indiana University
Editors: Publication-quality photos of all the Wells Scholars are available online at https://www.iuinfo.indiana.edu/avmedia/wellsscholars.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Two of Cincinnati's best students have been selected as Wells Scholars at Indiana University. The scholarship, named in honor of the late IU Chancellor Herman B Wells, ranks among the most competitive and prestigious awards offered by any American university.
Incoming freshmen selected as Wells Scholars are Noah Bendix-Balgley, a graduate of Seven Hills School; and Micah Zeller, a graduate of St. Xavier High School. Bendix-Balgley and Zeller will receive full tuition, fees and a living stipend for four years of study on the IU Bloomington campus.
The Wells Scholar program also offers special seminars, an optional year of study abroad and support for a summer research project or internship. It emphasizes close interaction with faculty, academic and career advising, opportunities for community service and contact with distinguished visitors. Wells Scholars are selected for having demonstrated character, leadership and distinction, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Below is more information about each Wells Scholar:
Noah Bendix-Balgley
A National Merit Finalist and AP Scholar with honor, Bendix-Balgley is the first Wells Scholar from Seven Hills School, where he graduated as co-valedictorian and received the Seven Hills Cup for academic excellence.
An accomplished violinist, Bendix-Balgley has won various distinctions in music, including serving as co-concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra for two consecutive years, winning the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, and performing with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he was a member of his schools chamber choral group and has studied music composition.
He received a certificate of honor in the National French Competition, placed first in his district in the American history portion of the Ohio Tests of Scholastic Achievement and was the recipient of a Harvard Book Award. He was a member and co-captain of his school's Cincinnati Academic League team. He also participated in his school's theatre productions and volunteered at Stepping Stones Center for Persons with Disabilities.
Bendix-Balgley will pursue his interest in music with a major in violin performance. He is the son of Erik Bendix and Meredith Balgley, 3981 Rose Hill Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Micah Zeller
Zeller graduated from St. Xavier High School, where he earned distinction as a National Merit Finalist and was the recipient of the St. Xavier Academic Magis Award. He was a Golden Galaxy Award Finalist in general scholarship and placed seventh in the state in the Ohio Tests of Scholastic Achievement in English. He also placed nationally in the American High School Math Examination and was the recipient of a Northwestern Book Award.
He was a member and officer of the American Youth Foundation student leadership team and has twice participated in the International Leadership Conference. As a member of AYF core team, he was one of nine students chosen from among 350 candidates to work as a student leader in cooperation with other area high schools.
Zeller wrote for and edited the school newspaper and was a member of the Mu Alpha Theta math club. He was a three-year member of the varsity wrestling team and the varsity cross country team. He received superior ratings in piano in the Cincinnati Junior Music Experience.
He helped organize a day camp for Lakota Sioux children on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota and also volunteered as a big brother in Cincinnati.
Zeller plans to major in English, history and philosophy. He is the son of John and Kathleen Zeller, 5421 Nighthawk Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio.
