Last modified: Thursday, August 15, 2002
Evansville's Aakhus selected as Wells Scholar 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. -- Erin Aakhus of Evansville, Ind., an incoming freshman at Indiana University, has been selected by the university as a Wells Scholar. 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 receive full tuition, fees and a living stipend for four years of study on the IU Bloomington campus. The program also offers special seminars, an optional year of study abroad and support for a summer research project or internship. The 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 character, leadership and distinction, both inside and outside of the classroom.
A National Merit Finalist and AP Scholar, Aakhus graduated from F.J. Reitz High School, where she also won distinction as a silver medalist in the National Latin Examination and as a bronze medalist in the National French Competition. She was a four-year member and two-year captain of the Academic Super Bowl team that competed in the state finals.
She was named a Hoosier Academic Super Bowl state finalist and her team placed third in the State Academic Super Bowl fine arts category. Aakhus studied voice for several years and was a member of the concert choir as well as the Harmonist Singers. An active participant in her school's theatre productions, she performed the lead role in "Oklahoma." She also spent the summer before her senior year in the French immersion program at the Universit de Reims, France.
Aakhus intends to major in French and biology.
Hometown information: Erin Aakhus is the daughter of Michael and Patricia Aakhus, 826 S.E. First St., Evansville, Ind.
