Class of 2011 Announced
Group of 34 New Jefferson Scholars to Enter the University in August

May 1, 2007 | The Jefferson Scholars Foundation is pleased to announce the Jefferson Scholars Class of 2011. The group of 34, which includes students from 17 states, China, and the Philippines, will enter the University in August.

The merit-based Jefferson Scholars program provides stipends to cover the complete cost of attending the University, including tuition, room and board, books and other University-related expenses. It also includes leadership training and foreign travel/study.

The sole criteria for selection are demonstrated excellence and exceptional potential in the areas of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship. These newest Jefferson Scholars were named after a rigorous selection process that began with a record 971 nominees from across the country and the world. The list was pared to 95 finalists who participated in the 27th annual Jefferson Scholars Selection Weekend in March, from which the recipients emerged.

The incoming Jefferson Scholars are a diverse group of school and community leaders. One is the founder of a successful web design company, while another is the reigning Miss Teen Maryland. There is a third-generation cattle farmer, an Olympic Festival women's ice hockey player, and a loan officer for the largest student-run credit union in the world. Several have done independent science research, and many are involved with debate, drama, and music. Over half are captain of a school sports team.

The Class of 2011 also includes the first Jefferson Scholarship recipient to attend the University's School of Nursing. Together with the Office of Admission, the School of Nursing conducts an at-large review of applicants for admission who attend schools that do not nominate a candidate directly to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation.

"Our record number of nominations is attributable to the sustained growth of this program in both scope and reputation. This foundation is grateful to the dedicated guidance counselors who nominated nearly a thousand outstanding young people; many of these schools took part for the first time, and we look forward to their continued participation," said James H. Wright, president of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation.

"As always it is alumni volunteers, nearly 700 across the U.S., who play the central role in selecting Jefferson Scholars. More than simply performing a service, they dive into the experience with great passion for the University, and this passion has a great impact upon those nominees with whom they come in contact," Wright added.

In fact, dating back to the beginning of the Jefferson Scholars program in 1980, over 5,500 Jefferson Scholarship nominees have elected to attend the University without having won the Jefferson Scholarship. Over the last five years, Jefferson Scholarship nominees have comprised approximately nine percent of each incoming class.

Financed entirely with private funds, Jefferson Scholarships are designed to help the University attract the most promising student leaders in the country. Students may not apply to become Jefferson Scholars, but rather must either be nominated by their schools or identified through the admissions process. More than 2,700 schools are eligible to nominate scholarship candidates, including every secondary school in Virginia.

The Jefferson Scholars Class of 2011: