Among items on their agenda is a forum to discuss HIV/AIDS in hopes of raising awareness and making a difference in the fight against the disease. In collaboration with this year's Cutler Scholars, the students will develop and implement a project relating to the disease that they will present to the university and Athens community.

They hope the project will help them raise money to sponsor a school either locally or abroad.

"These students demonstrate a willingness to be involved, and rather than just talking about issues, they want to be active participants in making a difference," said Greta Oliver, who oversees the program for the Office of Multicultural Student Access and Retention.

Of this year's 10 Templeton scholars, seven are students in the Scripps College of Communication, a record high. Also noteworthy: Forty percent of the new class is from outside Ohio, a testament to the eight-year-old program's increased visibility, Oliver said.

The Templeton program attracts students from underrepresented groups and fosters their success at Ohio University through various academic and support offerings. It promotes personal, social, cultural and academic excellence through creative programming, including roundtable discussions, undergraduate research projects, community service, and faculty and peer mentoring. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition, books and room and board.

The program is named for Ohio University's first African-American graduate, John Newton Templeton, who in 1828 became the fourth African-American to graduate from college in the United States and the first in the Northwest Territory.

Here's what this year's Templeton Scholars have to say about themselves.

	My name: Christopher Born My hometown: Strongsville, Ohio My major: Computer science What I am most excited about at Ohio University: Being part of the Marching 110 Movie I think everyone should see: "Dead Poet's Society," because it shows just how valuable personal independence and freedom are Qualities of my favorite teacher: Funny, personal, interesting What I hope to achieve in my first year at Ohio University: Completion of all general education requirements I am most nervous about: An overly busy schedule What I will miss from home: Free food and getting my laundry done for me Book I think everyone should read: The Bible, because it shows how to lead a good life based on positive morals and helps establish good values in any person, regardless of religion If I could have any superpower, I would choose: Teleportation
	My name: Nate Boyer My hometown: Ashland, Ohio My major: Video production Academic accomplishment I am most proud of: Getting a 32 on my ACT Why I chose Ohio University: The Scripps College of Communication is amazing -- plus the scholarship I obtained is great. What I hope to achieve in my first year at Ohio University: A good base GPA, friends and deciding on a major My dream job: Film director If I could have any superpower, I would choose: The ability to bend time and space
	My name: Stephanie Del Rosal My hometowns: Jupiter, Fla./Hoover, Ala. My major: Communication Qualities of my favorite teacher: Humor, sarcasm, irony, intelligence. He teaches, and you can either listen or not. He is awesome! Why I chose Ohio University: Great communication program, the Templeton scholarship and Athens, where I will have a chance to grow and learn in a new environment. What I will miss from home: My family and two adorable dogs, all my friends, and wearing flip flops in the winter I am most nervous about: The snow and giving people the right impression Current issue that is most important for my generation: Getting people to care about .. everything? Anything? People are uninformed and apathetic (I am as well). The future is ours, but we don't know what to do with it.
	My name: Awele "Christine" Nwajei My hometown: Canton, Ohio My major: Chemistry/pre-med What I hope to achieve in my first year at Ohio University: 3.6 or higher GPA Class I am most looking forward to: My math classes Book I think everyone should read: "Cane River," because I learned about the history of African-Americans during the late 19th century Current issue that is most important for my generation: The election, because the health-care system, the environment and the war on terror will be decided by the person we elect as our next president. My dream job: Having my own medical practice because I could work for an organization such as "Heal the Children" and help children from war-torn countries with their plastic surgery needs.
	My name: Ugonna Okpalaoka My hometown: Pickerington, Ohio My major: Magazine journalism Academic accomplishment I am most proud of: Being a National Achievement Scholarship winner I most admire: Those who came before me -- my parents and my grandparents -- because it's not an easy task to come to a new country and start over. They did it and have been nothing but great examples for me and my siblings. What I will miss from home: My family; I'm very close to them If I could be the ambassador to any country, I would choose: Nigeria, because I was born there and that's where my family's from. I've grown up surrounded by the culture, and I think it'd be cool to be an ambassador for the country.
	My name: Brittany Oliver My hometown: Albany, Ohio My major: Visual communication Academic accomplishment I am most proud of: Graduating with a 4.0 GPA and with Spanish honors Best advice anyone has given me: No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. You cannot control what other people say, but you have complete control over how you feel about yourself. I am most nervous about: Procrastination inhibiting my success What I will miss from home: I will miss my puppy Coco because she's cute, and my parents are not sure if they will keep her now that I am gone. If I could research any topic, I would research: Martha Jane Hunley-Blackburn -- Ohio University's first female African-American graduate -- because there is little information about her, although she made a magnificent accomplishment at this very university.
	My name: Jermain Onye My hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio My major: Mechanical engineering Qualities of my favorite teacher: Patient, determined to help others, smart, willing to explain What I am most excited about at Ohio University: The study abroad program, because traveling opens your mind to a new way of life Current issue that is most important for my generation: To explore the uses of renewable sources of energy If I could be the ambassador to any country, I would choose: Nigeria, because my visit to Nigeria showed me all of the opportunities that it will have to offer to the world in the future My dream job: United States diplomat, because I enjoy interacting with people of different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. I also enjoy traveling, and being a U.S. diplomat would allow me to do all of these things.
	My name: Eudora Peterson My hometown: Millburn, N.J. My major: Broadcast journalism Why I chose Ohio University: The Templeton Scholarship and the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism What I am most excited about at Ohio University: Meeting other vegetarians and new people Movie I think everyone should see: "Minority Report" Current issue that is most important for my generation: Environmental issues My dream job: Journalist and comedian
	My name: Eric "Max" Rodriguez My hometown: Pittsburgh My major: Video production My unknown talent: I have been playing the piano for 10 years. Best advice anyone has given me: All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us. What I hope to achieve in my first year at Ohio University: Keep my scholarship, develop good habits for future years Current issue that is most important for my generation: Volunteer service, because of the growing tide of poverty and hunger in developing nations Book I think everyone should read: "Gates of Fire," the story of the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae
	My name: Eric White My hometown: Pittsburgh My major: Advertising Qualities of my favorite teacher: Humorous and understanding. Class I am most looking forward to: Bowling Book I think everyone should read: "Kite Runner," the story of a man's attempt to right the wrongs of his childhood What I hope to achieve in my first year at Ohio University: To obtain above a 3.5 GPA and have an easy transition If I could have any superpower, I would choose: The ability to regenerate health, because no matter what happened to me, I would be able to come back just as strong

Coming up: Outlook will introduce this year's Appalachian, Cutler and Urban scholars over the next three weeks.