STUDENTS EARN SOUTHEAST'S TOP SCHOLARSHIP; UNIVERSITY HONORS 55 GRADUATES

Christopher Robertson of Cape Girardeau, Shawn Nanney of Leopold and Amy M. Eftink of Oran are among 55 high school graduates from 15 states who have been awarded Governor's scholarships to attend Southeast Missouri State University for the 1993-1994 academic year.

The scholarships are the most prestigious academic honor given to beginning freshmen who have been accepted by Southeast.

The students and their families were recognized at a signing ceremony and reception last month on the Southeast campus.

Kala M. Stroup, university president, called meeting the 1993 class of Governor's scholars "an honor and a privilege," and presented a brief profile of the class, noting that its average ACT score is 31.5.

"As a group, that places you at the 99th percentile of all college-bound students who took the ACT this year," Stroup said.

"You are a remarkably well-rounded group of individuals," she said. "Your Governor's scholarship eliminates some of the financial pressures that many students in higher education experience today. You are free to soar academically and intellectually. I know you will take full advantage of the opportunity."

Ten of this year's Governor's scholars are ranked first in their high school class, and nine are ranked second. In addition, 38 are National Merit scholars.

Robertson, the son of Steve and Mary Robertson of Cape Girardeau, attended Cape Central High School. He has been named a National Merit scholar.

Nanney, who attended Leopold High School, was also named a National Merit scholar. He is the son of Donald and Kathleen Nanney of Leopold.

Eftink is the daughter of David and Doris Eftink of Oran. She is a graduate of Notre Dame High School.

Recipients of Governor's scholarships must be recognized as a National Merit or Achievement Finalist, or rank in the upper 3 percent of their high school class after six or seven semesters, complete the American College Testing (ACT) required college preparatory core curriculum and achieve a minimum ACT score of 31 or SAT score of 1290. The core curriculum includes four English units, three mathematics units, three social studies units and three science units.

The Governor's Scholarship covers incidental fees for up to 16 credit hours per semester for two semesters of the freshman year, in addition to textbook rental, and room and board fees. It is renewable for six additional semesters if a 3.5 cumulative grade point average is maintained and students successfully complete a minimum of at least 30 credit hours per academic year. The scholars also participate in a mentoring pro ram and are given an opportunity to study abroad.