Last modified: Thursday, August 15, 2002
Bethlehem's Claussen 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. -- Kathleen Claussen of Bethlehem, Pa., 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 Scholar and recipient of the Donley Award for Excellence, Claussen is the first Wells Scholar from Moravian Academy, where she earned the Comenius Award for highest academic achievement in her senior year. She also received the Elizabeth K. Miller Award for character, leadership, and service and the Dorothy Tyler Foreign Language Award.
She was the editor-in-chief of the newspaper and served as vice president of her senior class. As a participant in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, Claussen earned a perfect score and first prize at the state level in the research category.
Claussen was selected for the Pennsylvania Governor's School of Sciences as well as the School for International Studies, and was a three-year member of Model Congress and Model United Nations.
She founded and chaired the Moravian Academy's Student Volunteers Council and was a founding member of Teen.TAPS: Teenagers Taking Action to Power Solutions, which is working to change Pennsylvania state law to allow persons less than 18 years of age to vote on boards of directors for non-profit organizations.
Claussen was a member of the orchestra and chamber singers, and participated in musical theatre. She will explore a variety of courses before choosing a major.
Hometown information: Kathleen Claussen is the daughter of Richard and Ann Claussen, 946 Merrivale Road, Bethlehem, Pa.
