Ohio University launches leadership scholarship program

By Jack Jeffery

Twelve Ohio University students who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership in the University community were recently awarded $2,500 Pepsi Ohio University Campus Leadership Scholarships for the 2003-04 academic year. The scholarship program has been developed to reward and help develop student leaders. The Division of Student Affairs selected the recipients in partnership with Pepsi.

Funds for the scholarship were provided by a pouring rights agreement between the University and Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Athens. It is part of a 10-year, $300,000 commitment Pepsi has made to fund the scholarships.

"Developing a sense of leadership and community involvement are hallmarks of the Ohio University educational experience, and these individuals exemplify those qualities through their actions," Ohio University Director of Student Activities Anne Lombard said.

"This is an arrangement that benefits both the University and Pepsi. In these tough budget times, such creative approaches are important in allowing the University to advance in both the academic and athletic arenas," Provost Stephen Kopp said.

Under the Pepsi pouring rights agreement, Pepsi provides Ohio University with more than $4 million in cash, products and equipment over 10 years. Pepsi receives preferred placement at University sites and athletic venues and signage and corporate logo placements in athletics facilities. Pepsi can also use University-licensed trademarks for sponsorship identification purposes.

Student scholarship recipients include:

• Angelica Anatole, political science and pre-theology major, Dayton, Ohio
• Larae Booker, organizational communication, Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Amanda Childress, psychology, Millersport, Ohio
• Sara Mari Flores, early childhood education, Sheffield Lake, Ohio
• Kendall Frenche, pre-dentistry, Riverdale, Md.
• Jim Harris, marketing, Chestertown, Md.
• Erin Long, interpersonal communication, Overland Park, Kan.
• Marisa Long, journalism, Jeannette, Pa.
• Ryan Mick, history/economics, Grafton, Ohio
• JaNelle Ricks, journalism, Columbus, Ohio
• Tara Stuckey, magazine journalism, Maumee, Ohio
• Callista Tomallo, journalism, Westlake, Ohio.

Jack Jeffery is a media specialist with University Communications and Marketing.