Last modified: Monday, August 15, 2005
Bloomington's Edmonds named Wells Scholar at Indiana University
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUG. 15, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University President Adam W. Herbert announced today (Aug. 15) that Rebecca Edmonds of Bloomington, Ind., has been selected as a Wells Scholar at IU, one of 19 entering freshmen so honored. She will this fall join more than 300 others who have been named Wells Scholars. 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. Since its inception in 1990, more than two dozen Wells Scholars have gone on to earn prestigious Rhodes, Truman, Marshall, Soros, Mitchell, Churchill, Fulbright and Goldwater scholarships for advanced study.
Many previous Wells Scholars today contribute to Indiana as residents who are attorneys, doctors, school teachers and business people and even an ordained minister. Others have gone on to clerk for Indiana and U.S. Supreme Court justices, are engaged in international relief and service efforts and are scholars at other renowned educational institutions such as Harvard Business School and Cornell Law School. There are Wells Scholars currently serving in the Armed Forces and other positions in government.
"This program has a spectacular track record for developing future leaders who reflect the example and vision of former IU Chancellor Herman B Wells," Herbert said. "Its impact is reflected in the achievements of past Wells Scholars who have remained in and contributed to the Hoosier state, and by those who represent the university and our state with great distinction both nationally and throughout the world. Since its establishment 16 years ago, IU also has used the Wells Scholars program as a model for other scholarship programs that enable IU to attract to our campuses more of the best students in the state and nation."
To honor Wells, IU created the Wells Scholars Program, which began with fund-raising efforts in 1988 and the appointment of Professor Breon Mitchell as its founding director. In 1990, IU welcomed its first class of Wells Scholars and on June 7, 1992, Wells' 90th birthday, he was officially presented with the Wells Scholars Program as a gift from his many friends and admirers. After his death in the spring of 2000, this community of talented and dedicated young scholars remains as a permanent legacy of his educational vision.
Wells Scholars receive full tuition and course-related fees, as well as a living stipend for four years of undergraduate study on the Bloomington campus of IU. The program also offers special seminars, an optional year of study abroad, and support for a summer research project or internship. The Wells program 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 exceptional qualities of character and leadership and distinction both inside and outside of the classroom.
A National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar with Honor, and the recipient of a Presidential Student Service Award, Edmonds graduated from Bloomington High School South as valedictorian. She was a member of her school's Academic Super Bowl science team, which competed in state finals, and was a member of its Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association ExploraVision team, which won honorable mention in national competition.
She was a varsity member of South's Junior Engineering Technical Society team and a member of the National Honor Society, which she served as chapter tutoring chair. A 12-year member of Girl Scouts, she served on the Tulip Trace Council board of directors and as program aide. In addition, she was honored with the Girl Scout Gold Award for leadership, effort and community impact and with the Katherine Anne Riley award for community service, academic achievement, and loyalty to the Girl Scouts.
Her Solar Bike Rayce team won three USA National championships, and she was the recipient of deCycles Triple Crown and Most Improved awards. An accomplished clarinetist, she was a four-year member of her school's marching band. She was also a member of PROUD gay-straight alliance, which she served as president, and Leadership Opportunities Through Service. She plans to explore a variety of fields before choosing a major.
