North Carolina State University is pleased to announce that 45 exceptional young women and men have been named to the Park Scholarships Class of 2015. The sixteenth class of Park Scholars was selected from over 1,300 applicants by the Park Scholarships Selection Committee, comprised of more than 200 Park Scholar and NC State alumni from across the country.

Members of the new class include the recipient of the Congressional Award Gold Medal and U.S. Senate Youth Program Award; founder of an organization to protect the oceans; volunteer with a public health project in Guatemala; and member of the North Carolina Youth Legislative Assembly.

“The Park Scholars in the Class of 2015 will bring a rich diversity of experiences and abilities to NC State University. Representing 19 North Carolina counties, 12 states, and 3 countries, they will pursue an important range of academic interests and service passions as they seek to address some of the most important issues facing our state, nation, and world,” says Park Scholarships Director Eva Holcomb. “Their class will include our 800th Park Scholar, and we are deeply grateful for the Park Foundation’s continued generosity which makes this possible.”

A total of 105 Finalists participated in Final Selection Activities on the NC State University campus in February. The weekend included interviews and a variety of activities that allowed Finalists to learn more about NC State and the Park Scholarships program from current Park Scholars, faculty, administrators, and alumni. A highlight was the Chancellor’s Reception and Dinner hosted by NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson.

Candidate biographies, listed by country, state and county, are available in PDF format:

Park Scholarships Class of 2015

The Park Scholarships program brings exceptional students to NC State University, based on outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The program develops and supports Park Scholars in these areas, preparing them for lifelong contributions to the campus, state, nation, and world. The four-year scholarship is valued at $80,000 in-state and $136,000 out-of-state, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, and personal expenses.

The Park Scholarships are named for the late Roy H. Park, a 1931 NC State alumnus who created the charitable Park Foundation. The Park Foundation, based in Ithaca, New York, provides support for programs across the nation related to higher education, media, and the environment.