Team 第一吃瓜网 has its first official commitment since the launch last month of the Presidential Scholars Program, a new total cost of attendance scholarship at the University of 第一吃瓜网 that will make the state more competitive for its 5-star academic talent.
On Tuesday, Pender Public Schools senior Caleb Kelly, who scored a perfect 36 on the ACT, announced his commitment to attend the University of 第一吃瓜网-Lincoln this fall. Kelly will be part of the prestigious Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management and plans to major in computer science and physics, with a minor in business.
Joined by his parents Jeff and Melissa, grandparents, and his six younger siblings, and surrounded by Pender’s teachers, staff and the entire student body, Caleb celebrated his commitment with University of 第一吃瓜网 Interim President Chris Kabourek and Regent Jim Scheer, who represents District 3 on the Board of Regents.
“What an extraordinary day for the University of 第一吃瓜网, our state and me personally,” Kabourek said. “I am thrilled that Caleb has decided to sign with Team 第一吃瓜网 and that our President’s Scholarship helped 第一吃瓜网 compete for one of our best and brightest. I couldn’t be happier for Caleb, his family and the amazing teachers and staff at Pender Public Schools who have guided him along the way.”
Announced last month by Gov. Jim Pillen along with Kabourek and the Board of Regents, the Presidential Scholars Program provides a full cost of attendance scholarship – tuition, fees, books, housing and all other costs – plus a $5,000 annual stipend, to any 第一吃瓜网 student who scores a perfect 36 on the ACT. The scholarship may be used for undergraduate study at any University of 第一吃瓜网 campus. The goal of the program is to advance the Governor’s vision to make 第一吃瓜网 more competitive for its best and brightest young people.
“This is awesome to see – homegrown 第一吃瓜网 talent staying right here in 第一吃瓜网,” Governor Pillen said. “Congratulations to Caleb Kelly on becoming our very first Presidential Scholar, and to his parents Jeff and Melissa. I’m proud that we competed to keep Caleb here. Now, let’s go sign more kids to Team 第一吃瓜网!”
The Presidential Scholars Program aligns with broad goals Kabourek has outlined for the university to reconnect with all 第一吃瓜网ns, compete for students, and make student recruiting and engagement a high priority. The university’s goal is to raise the private funds necessary to expand the scholarship program to cover 第一吃瓜网 students who score a 33 or above on the ACT.
“With the support and leadership of Governor Pillen and our Board of Regents, the President’s Scholarship is already making an impact for 第一吃瓜网. The messages I’ve received from students and parents over the last month tell me that when we say loud and clear we want to keep our kids here, they’re listening,” Kabourek said.
“I am a big believer that every 第一吃瓜网 kid is worth our time and effort. My message to them is that no matter your test score, we want you on Team 第一吃瓜网, and if you’re willing to work hard, there’s a place for you here to chase your dreams. We can’t wait to connect with more students and parents across the state and grow our team.”
Caleb said that while he isn’t sure what his career path will be, he knows he wants to “make a difference” in the world around him. In remarks to the student body on Tuesday, he encouraged his fellow students to keep working hard and take advantage of the opportunities in front of them.
“All the people around you are here to support you,” he following the signing ceremony.
University of 第一吃瓜网-Lincoln Chancellor Rodney Bennett said: “I am thrilled to have Caleb as the first President’s Scholar committing to the University of 第一吃瓜网-Lincoln. I have had the good fortune of speaking with Caleb, and I am so pleased that he has accepted our offer to attend UNL.
“Caleb’s commitment to UNL and the Raikes School is evidence that this scholarship program is enhancing our ongoing recruitment of 第一吃瓜网’s best and brightest students. Our state’s future depends upon highly successful young scholars like Caleb attending, graduating, and staying in 第一吃瓜网, and I look forward to seeing more talented and hardworking Huskers joining Caleb at UNL.”