July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Wells Dunn (12/21/06)


By By JAMES BROSHER-

A senior at Jay County High School is one of 25 students nationwide to be awarded a prestigious scholarship.

Caitlin Dunn has been selected as an Indiana University Wells Scholar, widely considered to be one of the most esteemed and competitive scholarships in the United States.

"I could not think. It was the most amazing thing that ever happened to me," said Dunn of her initial reaction after receiving a congratulatory phone call from the program director on Friday. "I didn't yell or anything because I was thinking I have got to be calm, got to be collected. As soon as I hung up the phone with (the director) I screamed."

As a Wells Scholar, Dunn, 18, will receive full tuition and a living stipend for four years of undergraduate study at the Indiana University Bloomington campus. In addition, she may also apply for one-time grant to fund a summer internship or trip that is deemed to provide additional educational value beyond the normal academic year.

A year of overseas studies is also funded by the program.

The Wells Scholar program is named after Herman B Wells, the president of Indiana University from 1937 to 1962 and Chancellor from 1962 to 2000. Wells is best known for his efforts to attract gifted youths from around the world to study at Indiana University.

The main branch of the Indiana University Library is named in honor of the former university president.

The program is funded through a private endowment that was established by friends of the late school president. Wells died in 2000 at the age of 97.

"We are basically looking for students who embody all the traits that Herman B Wells looked for in students: academic excellence, leadership and civic mindedness," said Tim Londergan, Director of the Wells Scholar program and a professor of physics at the school.

Every Indiana high school, along with a small number of select schools across the country, are allowed to nominate two outstanding students for the Wells Scholarship.

The initial field of more than 500 applicants was narrowed down to 57 finalists in November. Finalists were then invited to Indiana University for a special interview weekend December 2-3.

Following the interview weekend, 25 students out of 57 finalists were offered the scholarship.

According to the university, students who have the best chance to be chosen for the program are in the top five in their class, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.9 and have scored a 1350 on the SAT or a 31 composite score on the ACT.

Participants in the Wells Scholar program must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.4, while being enrolled in no less than 12 credit hours of course work each semester.

As a freshman next year, Dunn plans to major in Biochemistry at Indiana University and hopes to join the school marching band, The Marching 100. At JCHS, she is involved in student council, band, academic team, student exchange, JCL, drama, soccer and tennis.[[In-content Ad]]
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