Alumni gathered together for finalist weekend, where the 12th class of Park Scholars was selected.

Park Finalist weekend kicked off on Friday, February 16, with the Chancellor’s Reception and Finalist Dinner at the McKimmon Center. Several Park alumni and current Park seniors were in attendance to meet finalists and hear past NC State student body president John O’Quinn speak.

On Saturday, alumni interviewed potential scholars and monitored group assessment tasks. Afterwards, more than 25 alumni and Park seniors attended a dinner event at 18 Seaboard. Some Park staff and friends also attended, including Laura Lunsford, Art Padilla, Gerald Elkan and Chaffee Viets. Terrell Russell (2000) gave a brief PAS update.

Park Class of 2011 Announced

This March, NC State University selected 51 students as Park Scholars for fall 2007. The scholarship winners were selected from among more than 1,000 applicants.

Among the recipients are students with a 2,400 SAT score, a captain of a state champion football team, and a student who developed software published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for use in the classroom. Another received the Congressional Award Gold Medal for his outstanding service, one of only about 200 winners nationwide. The Park Scholarships recipients have given back to their communities through scholarship, leadership and service.

The brightest minds of their generation are among the recipients this year, said Laura Gail Lunsford, director of the Park Scholarships program. Their profound dedication to improving our communities combined with their extraordinary motivation has merited investment the Park Foundation has made in naming them Park Scholars. As future scientists, public servants, business leaders, or scholars, these young adults show great promise.

For a list and bios of incoming scholars, visit the Park Scholarships site.

Above, Terrell Russell (2000) speaks to alumni at the Saturday night dinner; Kim Bloomfield (2002) enjoys 18 Seaboard’s presentation; Alumni and students at the dinner.