Last modified: Monday, August 15, 2005
Huntingburg's Yu named Wells Scholar at Indiana University
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUG. 15, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University President Adam W. Herbert announced that Yun William Yu of Huntingburg, Ind., has been selected as a Wells Scholar at IU, one of 19 entering freshmen so honored. He 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 Scholar and a Hoosier Scholar, Yu is the first Wells Scholar from Southridge High School, where he graduated as valedictorian and outstanding senior boy and where he earned distinction as an Indianapolis Star Academic All-Star. A Business Professionals of America Merit Scholar, he was a finalist at BPA nationals in fundamentals of the HTML computer language.
The recipient of a Scholastic Excellence Award, he was named an Outstanding Scholar in the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics contest. Active in Academic Super Bowl, Yu was a four-year member of his school's interdisciplinary squad, which he captained and which won the state championship his sophomore year. He also served as captain of his school's math and science squads. A member of Southridge's marching band, Yu received the Semper Fidelis award for musical excellence and was named first flute in the all-district honor band. He also served as treasurer of his school's chapter of the National Honor Society, was an officer of Business Professionals of America and was a four-year member of his school's varsity swim team.
In addition, he was a member of student council, the German club and Peers Educating Peers. Selected to participate in the IU Biology Department's Integrated Freshman Learning Experience program, Yu plans to major in biology.
