Allison Norwood is an exceptional college student. Not only that, she loves being a college student. Even whilewatching Saturday morning cartoons as a girl, she was drawn in by the perpetual public service announcements encouraging kids to consider higher education.

“It was never a question of whether I wanted to go to college,” says Norwood, a senior biology major from Bridgeport, an eastern Ohio town of about 2,500 residents. “And it was never a question of how it would be paid for. It would have been taken care of somehow.”

In high school, Norwood became determined to make her higher education happen — through scholarships, student loans, grants or working part time. Her fierce drive, however, paid off in a way she never imagined: In 1997, Norwood earned Ohio University’s most prestigious scholarship.

Modeled after Oxford University’s Rhodes Scholarships, the Manasseh Cutler Scholars Program attracts some of the most outstanding students in the world. The merit-based scholarship, valued at $70,000 over four years, covers full tuition, room and board and stipends for summer internships and a study abroad experience.

Since the program was launched in 1996, many Cutler Scholars — already some of the finest academic performers on campus — have assumed student leadership roles. Norwood is no exception, although her skills as a leader were solid even before she came to Ohio University.

A Bridgeport High School cheerleader, trumpet player, student council member and club leader, Norwood’s roster of activities was as impressive as her 4.0 GPA.

So when her teachers heard about the Alan E. and Ruby T. Riedel-Manasseh Cutler Scholars Award to be given to a Belmont County high school graduate, they naturally nominated Norwood. The Riedels, alumni and longtime benefactors of Ohio University, were delighted to support her studies.

“I believe in the Cutler Scholars program,” says Alan Riedel, AB ’52 and HON ’94, retired vice chairman of Cooper Industries in Houston. “I’m from Belmont County, and this scholarship is needed because it’s economically depressed there.”

Norwood sends the Riedels letters describing her experiences, and they say each testimonial is more inspiring than the last.

She’s studied sickle cell anemia in Kenya, educated the public about health issues for the March of Dimes, conducted research at an Athens biotechnology firm and studied virology at the University of Utrecht in The Netherlands. And in spring 2000, she became one of 309 undergraduates nationwide to earn the renowned Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

Her parents, Jerry and Diana Norwood, are amazed at the opportunities the Cutler Scholars program has provided their daughter. Her father, a bartender at a Bridgeport civic club, and her mother, a car dealership clerk, faithfully track Norwood’s academic distinctions.

“Just look at all the doors this scholarship has opened for her,” Diana Norwood says. “In my era, when you got out of high school, you got married, but it’s not that way anymore. We knew she would do well.”

Her parents always have expected great things from her. And Norwood is expecting even greater things from herself: She’s applying to medical school.

“This program has given me the confidence to know what I want to do with my life,” she says. “It didn’t just give me money to go to school; it encouraged me to spread my wings and try the unfamiliar.”