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News Release

Last modified: Thursday, July 29, 2004

Westville's Norris named Wells Scholar at IU

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Brett Norris of Westville, Ind., has been selected as a Wells Scholar at Indiana University, one of 20 incoming freshmen so honored. Norris plans to major in East Asian languages and cultures and in international studies with a focus on Japanese and international communication.

The Wells 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 undergraduate study on the IU Bloomington campus.

A Hoosier Scholar, Norris graduated from Chesterton High School in Chesterton, Ind., where he earned distinction as a three-year captain of the Japan Bowl Team, which won state and national championships his sophomore and senior years. A member of the Japanese Club for four years and its president his senior year, he was honored for his skill in the Seventh Annual Japanese Calligraphy Competition in America his junior year and earned a level three certification in the 2003 Japanese Language Proficiency Test.

Norris captained his school's Academic Super Bowl Team and was the recipient of its mental attitude award. He was also captain of the Quiz Bowl Team, a member of the Science Olympiad and Academic Decathlon teams and a two-year math peer tutor.

A principal violist in his school's orchestra, Norris was selected both his junior and senior years as a member of the Indiana All-State Orchestra. He was a four-year member of his school's varsity tennis team, which he captained his senior year, and he received the team's mental attitude award his senior year.

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:

Brett Norris is the son of Brian and Laurie Norris, 588 Pheasant Drive, Westville, Ind.

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