Last modified: Thursday, August 21, 2003
Crown Point's Stanko selected as Wells Scholar at Indiana University
EDITORS: Publication-quality photos of all of the Wells Scholars are available online at https://www.iuinfo.indiana.edu/avmedia/wellsscholars03.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Dan Stanko of Crown Point, Ind., an incoming freshman at Indiana University Bloomington, is one of 21 young people who have been selected as Wells Scholars for the upcoming academic year. 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.
Wells Scholars who are incoming freshmen receive full tuition and fees, as well as a living stipend for four years of study on the IUB campus.
The scholarship is named in honor of Wells (1902-2000), who devoted his extraordinary life to IU. Wells came to IU as an undergraduate, returned as a faculty member and then served as a dean before becoming president of the university for a quarter century. He remained the university's chancellor until his death.
A co-valedictorian of Crown Point High School, Stanko was a National Merit Finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction. An Elks Most Valuable Student, Stanko received Purdue University Awards in English, history and mathematics. He placed in the top 10 in the statewide Indiana Math League competition, and he and his team earned awards at the Chesterton Math Invitational in algebra, geometry and advanced algebra.
He served as the Quiz Bowl varsity captain, the senior class vice president, the director of character development for the National Honor Society and a member of Student Council. The vice president of the Japanese club, he represented his school on a summer program in Japan. He was also a member of the math club and the Key Club.
Stanko was a delegate to Hoosier Boys State, where he was elected a county councilman, and he has volunteered for an elementary school tutoring program. He attended the Wabash College Opportunities to Learn about Business summer program and was given its highest award for participation, attitude and accomplishments. Voted Most Likely to Succeed by his classmates, he was also chosen as his school's prom king. He intends to major in microbiology and Japanese, and he would like to continue to pursue his interest in business.
The Wells Scholars program also offers special seminars, an optional year of study abroad and support for a summer research project or internship. The Wells Scholars Program emphasizes close interaction with faculty, academic and career advising, opportunities for community service and contact with distinguished visitors.
Examples of past summer experiences include serving with Outreach Kenya Development Volunteers to provide AIDS education and build a public library in western Kenya, conducting research at the National Institutes of Health, performing in the Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop and interning at the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the Canadian Parliament and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Wells Scholars are also members of the Honors College, where they have the opportunity to apply for grants in support of research, teaching internships, professional experience, creative activity, conference travel and honors thesis work.
They are selected for having demonstrated character, leadership and distinction, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Hometown information:
Dan Stanko is the son of Heide Stanko, 154 Tenbrook Dr., Crown Point, Ind.; and Paul Stanko, 3066 Parkwood Place, Crown Point, Ind.
