12 Emerald Eagle Scholars graduate a year early

From a UNT News Service press release

Twelve Emerald Eagle Scholars earned their degrees in May, a full year early. The first full class of scholars is slated to graduate in May 2011.

The 12 join the first Emerald Eagle Scholar, Ivonne Pereira, who graduated with her bachelor's degree in international studies in December 2009, exactly two years and four months after becoming part of the first class of Emerald Eagle Scholars. Ensuring that students graduate within four years is one of the key goals of the program.

The Emerald Eagle Scholars program was created in 2007 to help academically talented students with high financial need earn a college degree. The program provides scholars with tuition, fees and mentoring. In return, scholars are expected to become actively involved on campus, work an on-campus job, enroll in 15 hours of classes each semester, maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and graduate in four years. 

The following 12 Emerald Eagle Scholars students graduated in May 2010:

• Brittney Baker, of Mansfield, received a bachelor's degree in political science.
• Erin Coe, of Graham, received a bachelor's degree in marketing.
• Brian King, of Wylie, received a bachelor's degree in history.
• Nelson Richardson, of Wylie, received a bachelor's degree in Spanish.
• Kaitlyn Schroeder, of Carrollton, received a bachelor's degree in biology.
• Quinton Thomas, of Royse City, received a bachelor's degree in business computer information systems.
• Ashley Albright, of Corsicana, received a bachelor's degree in merchandising.
• Abraham Vargas, of Dallas, received a bachelor's degree in radio, TV and film.
• Rachel Whisenhunt, of Austin, received a bachelor's degree in radio, TV and film.
• Blanca Carrillo, of Dallas, received a bachelor's degree in psychology.
• Chelsea Williamson, of Lubbock, received a bachelor's degree in rehabilitation studies.
• Merlendi Brown, of Corrigan, received a bachelor's degree in psychology.

As of fall 2010, the Emerald Eagle Scholars program will have helped more than 1,800 students realize the dream of attending college.

Alyssa Yancey with UNT News Service can be reached at alyssa.yancey@unt.edu.

Read other stories in this issue:

• President's Note
• Go "Old School" for Homecoming 2010
• Moving Forward: UNT co-hosts U.S.-Mexico technology summit to spur global partnerships
• Faculty named as fellows
• Faculty earn NSF, foundation funding to support mathematics, science research
• Engineers building robots for NASA's space exploration efforts
• Faculty Focus: David McEntire
• Traditions: McNair Program
• Featured Link: Take video tour of new football stadium under construction
• UNT Alumni Association