The Fall 2008 semester marked the arrival of the third class of Mirabeau Scholars to Lamar University.
Those receiving the 2008 Mirabeau Scholarships are: Brett Bertles, Bridge City; Lucas Castle, West Brook; Madison Davis, Bridge City; Cory Fenn, Royal H.S.– Pattison; Brittany Graham, Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities (TALH); Kindell Holst, Port Neches- Groves; Christopher Johnston, Hardin-Jefferson; David Johnston, Hardin- Jefferson; Seema Kansara, TALH; Brett Leyendecker, Port Neches-Groves; Nathan Minshew, Port Neches-Groves; Daniel Mortensen, Crossroads Christian Academy – Panama; McGarrity Stanley, Port Neches-Groves; and William Ware, Huntington.
Eleven of the 14 freshmen hail from the Golden Triangle but two have come to Lamar from other parts of Texas – Pattison and Huntington – and one from the Republic of Panama. Their arrival at Lamar brings the total Mirabeau scholars on campus to 45.
“The Mirabeau Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships we offer,” said Stephen Doblin, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Mirabeau Scholars are held to a higher level of academic performance because these students are among our best and brightest.”
Each scholarship carries a value of $60,000 and covers all expenses. Any scholarships or awards the student receives from sources independent of the university are applied to their account and used first, allowing students to use the Mirabeau funds for other expenses, such as summer school or a computer, Doblin said.
“The Mirabeau scholarship is not tied to a specific major,” Doblin said. “If a student comes in as a chemical engineering major and they change their major to music, they don’t lose their scholarship.”
With complete tuition, room and board assistance, plus a stipend for books and living expenses, the financial benefits to the students are obvious.
“The Mirabeau scholarship has benefited me by drastically improving my financial situation in regards to paying for my education,” said senior Garrett McLeod of Nederland, a communication major. “It has also given me an opportunity to make lots of new connections in the academic, social and professional spheres.”
For some scholars, the financial benefits will extend far into the future. Freshman Madison Davis of Bridge City, a history major, said receiving the scholarship will allow her to begin saving for law school much sooner than she had anticipated.
But the scholarship’s benefits are not only financial. Living on campus gives scholars the ability to network with each other, be involved in campus activities and student organizations, and devote themselves to their studies.
Sophomore Bethany Aiena of Sour Lake, a psychology major, said it would be more difficult to attend meetings or campus events if she did not live in Cardinal Village, especially considering the drive time and cost of fuel.
“I have been able to devote my time to my studies and my practicing,” said sophomore Aaron Barnes of Silsbee, a music education major and member of both the Lamar Wind Ensemble and Pep Band. “If I was working to put myself through, I wouldn’t have that time. My grades would likely not be where they are, and my involvement and rehearsal time would be very limited.”
In addition, some scholars, like senior Joel Toutloff of Fannett, participate in undergraduate research opportunities with faculty and staff.
Toutloff, a physics major, is involved in a research project with Lamar’s Earth and Space Science department. “We are working on using menisci in reduced gravity to make variable focus lenses,” he said. “It’s a great experience and involves me with NASA, which is something I have always wanted to do.”
The students, however, are not the only beneficiaries of the scholarship. The university benefits as well.
“The university, in my view, benefits from having good students who live on campus who are involved in university activities and who hopefully push their fellow students to excel,” Doblin said. The scholars’ presence in the classroom enhances the academic environment because they ask questions and participate in class discussions, he said.
Freshman Nathan Minshew of Port Neches, a chemical engineering major, believes the scholars also contribute to student life because they live on campus and are able to build relationships and begin study groups.
The scholars also attract other students to the university. “When students who can go anywhere in the country decide to come to Lamar, their friends notice, parents notice and counselors notice,” Doblin said. “When people see how much the scholarship means in relation to the tuition, people come.”
The scholars realize that they are fortunate to have received the gift of education. It is a gift they do not take lightly, and they are quick to express their gratitude to those who have made it possible.
“I would just like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone involved in make this scholarship possible,” said Brett Bertles of Bridge City, a freshman majoring in chemical engineering. “So many students who would not have been able to pay their way through college have been given renewed hope for their futures along with a feeling of accomplishment; that their hard work in high school finally paid off.”
“They really can’t be thanked enough,” Toutloff said, echoing Bertles’ sentiments. “Giving us such a wonderful way to learn is a gift that not everyone can give. I owe them a lot.”
Mirabeau Scholarships are awarded to outstanding high school students who have met the rigorous requirements for the scholarship. To be considered for a scholarship, students must have achieved an SAT score of 1250 or higher or a composite ACT score of at least 28, and demonstrated excellence in prior academic work. In addition, documented excellence in a variety of leadership, service, and/or creative endeavors is expected.
To maintain the scholarship, scholars must maintain a 3.5 GPA, participate in the University Honors Program and be involved in one or more of the following: student leadership, student government, Lamar Ambassadors, peer advisors or participate in undergraduate research. The 2008 Mirabeau Scholarship recipients scored an average 1357 on the SAT exams.
Other students on Mirabeau Scholarships are: Bethany Aiena; Beaumont; Joshua Autery; Port Neches-Groves; Aaron Barnes; Silsbee; Matthew Beaudry, Deer Park; Erin Binagia, Nederland; Cameron Campbell, Mont Belvieu; Benjamin Cowles, Port Neches; Drew Davidson, Orangefield; Joshua Davis, Beaumont; Patrick Greer, Beaumont; Lauren Griffin, Mont Belvieu; Dana Guy, Port Neches-Groves; Jillian Hamilton, Port Neches; Matthew Ivy, Bridge City; Lauren James, Bridge City; Nathan Jordan, Port Neches-Groves; Valerie Juarez, Beaumont; Garrett McLeod, Nederland; Aaron Meadows, Hamshire-Fannett; Jennifer Mikel, Sweeney; Jeffrey Scott Mitchell, Wichita Falls; Mark Placette, Bridge City; Raul Ponce, Huffman; Brittany Ross, Carrollton; Brian Slacum, Orangefield; Joel Toutloff, Hamshire-Fannett; Gregory Watson, Bridge City; Daniel Whitton, Buna; Daniel Woodrome, Chester; Carly Wright, Bridge City; and Brittney Zenos, Bridge City.
To learn more about Lamar University, visit www.lamar.edu or call (409) 880-8888 for information on admissions.
