The Park Scholarships Selection Committee, comprising approximately 290 NC State alumni and friends, conducted interviews with 475 Semifinalists in early January. The Semifinalists were selected from a record number of 2,409 applicants. Of these, 112 candidates were selected as Finalists for the Class of 2023.

Finalists visited the NC State campus on February 22-23 to participate in Final Selection Activities at the Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center. These activities include individual interviews, group discussion tasks, and panels with faculty and Park Scholars. Finalists and their guests also attended a reception and dinner with NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson and other university officials.

This year’s Finalists represent 20 U.S. states, 33 North Carolina counties. Among them are recipients of the Harvard Book Award, the Society of Women Engineers SWENext Local Innovator Award, and National Science Olympiad medals; alumni of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference; student body presidents; first responders and volunteer firefighters; Special Olympics coaches; and varsity athletes. Finalists include a presenter at the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit and Youth Climate Summit, the founder of a non-profit organization focused on increasing global literacy, a 2018 NCASA Quill Literary Analysis state champion, interns with Amazon and the National Cancer Institute, and the most medaled varsity competitor at the 2018 International Geography Bee in Berlin, Germany. Collectively, they have performed thousands of hours of service to their communities, benefiting diverse worthy organizations and causes.

Finalist biographies, listed by state and county, are available via PDF: Park Class of 2023 Finalist Bios

The Park Scholarships program, now in its 23rd year, 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 scholarship includes tuition and fees, room and board, enrichment activities, and additional expenses.

The Park Scholarships are named for the late Roy H. Park ’31, an NC State alumnus who created the charitable Park Foundation, dedicated to education, media, and the environment. Approximately 40 scholarships will be awarded this year to outstanding high school seniors for undergraduate study in any discipline at NC State.

For more information, visit the Park Scholarships website.

posted 2019.02.01
updated 2019.03.01