Last modified: Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Naperville's Chen named Wells Scholar at IU
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Peter Chen of Naperville, Ill., has been selected as a Wells Scholar at Indiana University, one of 20 incoming freshmen to be so honored. Chen will explore a variety of fields before choosing a major.
The scholarship, named in honor of Herman B Wells, the late university chancellor and former IU president, ranks among the most competitive and prestigious awards offered by any American university. Wells Scholars receive full tuition, fees and a living stipend for four years of study on the IU Bloomington campus.
Chen graduated from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, Ill., where he earned distinction as a National Merit Scholar.
An accomplished pianist and violinist, he won first place in the Illinois State Music Teacher's Association Scholarship Competition and was named one of Chicagoland's Most Promising Pianists. For two summers, he attended the IU Piano Academy, serving as a peer counselor the second summer. He also participated in his school's a cappella singing ensemble, Mod-2.
With five of his classmates and a coach, Chen helped reinvigorate the IMSA SpeechTeam. By his senior year, he had helped extend the membership to 30 people, several of whom won regional events and advanced to sectional competition. Chen's own specialties in speech were special occasion speaking and humorous duet acting, and in the latter he qualified for sectionals his junior year and was a regional finalist his senior year.
He served as a community developer for his dormitory and as a leadership, education and development facilitator and officer.
The Wells Scholars program offers special seminars, an optional year of study abroad and support for a summer research project or internship. It also emphasizes close interaction with faculty, academic and career advising, opportunities for community service and contact with distinguished visitors. Wells Scholars are members of the Honors College at IU, 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:
Peter Chen is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chih-Hung Chen, 1504 Eton Lane, Naperville, Ill.
