A new Hastings College program for high achieving high school students funded by the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation of Omaha will allow seven incoming students each year to receive a renewable scholarship that covers 100 percent of tuition and fees plus room and board. The program, known as Scott Scholars, includes a $2,000 travel stipend per student to help cover costs to attend a conference, fund a research project or support an internship.
A $5 million commitment from the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation to the Hastings College Foundation will fund the program, which will grow to 28 students in year four. The financial support also includes funds to hire a Scott Scholars director. Dave Rippe, former director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, has been named director of the Hastings College Scott Scholars program.
As director, Rippe will develop and implement innovative programs to support the Scott Scholars as students move through their education at Hastings College. He will also coordinate an annual Scott Scholars excursion for students to attend leadership or other events in Nebraska or across the country. The annual Scott Scholars excursion is also funded by the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation commitment.
“We are looking forward to naming the first seven Scott Scholars in February, and are excited to contract with Dave Rippe to serve as the program’s director,” said Hastings College President Dr. Travis Feezell. “We are incredibly appreciative of the Scott Foundation for its long and continuous support of Hastings College and for working to build this innovative program for high achieving high school students.”
Students eligible to compete to be named a Scott Scholar must apply and be accepted to Hastings College and qualify for a Crimson or McCormick academic scholarship at Hastings College — approximately 26 or higher on the ACT or 1230 or higher on the SAT, combined with a high GPA. Accepted Crimson and McCormick scholars are subsequently invited to attend Bronco Scholars Day, where students participate in group and interview activities. Bronco Scholars Day for this year’s high school seniors is February 16, 2020.
Scott Scholars awards, as well as other additional scholarship amounts, are then determined based on each student’s expected academic and leadership contributions to Hastings College.
The Scott Scholars program is designed for high achieving students interested in leadership and pursuing studies in business or science-related fields.
Nebraska’s premier private college, Hastings College is a four-year institution located in Hastings, Nebraska, that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Hastings College has been named among “Great Schools, Great Prices” by U.S. News & World Report and a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review. For more, go to hastings.edu.
