News Release
FORT WAYNE — A Wawasee High School senior is one of seven students who will receive full, four-year scholarships to Purdue University Fort Wayne based on their academic merit and community involvement has reached its life-changing climax.
It’s called the Summit Scholars Competition and the class of 2023-24 is made up of six students identified as Chapman Scholars and another as a Doermer Distinguished Scholar.
This year’s competition received 56 applications. Four teams of three judges interviewed 22 finalists, including one student from Kathmandu, Bagmati, which is the capital city of Nepal.
Candidates were also given the opportunity to participate in a virtual information fair and meet with representatives from their major of interest.
Chapman Scholars
Allison Stookey, a resident of Syracuse and student at Wawasee High School, plans to major in electrical engineering. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Samantha Stookey. Her school activities include participation on the Supermileage Team, Key and Art clubs, National Honor Society, and Academic Super Bowl.
Bethany Cisz is a student at Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne and plans to major in biology. She is the daughter of Robert and Heather Cisz. Her extracurricular activities include membership on the speech and debate team, National Honor Society, Sustainable Environment Action Club, and theatre.
Nada Dahouk, a student at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, is the daughter of Mohamad and Amal Dahouk. She plans to major in biology. Her school activities include involvement with Asian Alliance, National Honor Society, student government, and as a producer on the HHS In Depth newscast.
Jenna Ellsworth is a student at McDowell Senior High School in Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania, which is a suburb of Erie. This resident of Fairview is the daughter of Seth and Chelsea Ellsworth. She intends to major in psychology. Ellsworth’s school activities include soccer, membership in the Girls Athletic, Spanish, Geo-Excursions, and Math clubs. She is also a senior class representative.
Maxwell Klema is a student at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne. He plans to major in computer science. Klema is the son of Richard and Lisa Klema. His extracurricular activities include golf and National Honor Society.
Ethan Roy is a student at Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne. He is the son of Daniel and Denise Roy. He plans to major in biology. Roy’s school activities include basketball, soccer, National Honor Society, and the Apologetics Club.
The Chapman Scholars Program was endowed in 2007, and the first scholarships were awarded in 2009. Howard Chapman and his late wife, Betsy, established the four-year scholarships, in which the recipients may pursue any degree at Purdue Fort Wayne.
Doermer Distinguished Scholar
Leah Potts attends Columbia City High School in Columbia City. Potts is the daughter of Melissa and Jeremy Wolfe and Joseph and Michelle Potts. She plans to major in marketing and management. Her extracurricular activities include City Lights, National Honor Society, student council, and Business Professionals of America.
The Doermer Distinguished Scholars Program is made possible by the late Richard T. Doermer and his family’s foundation. Doermer was a well-known and well-respected businessman and philanthropist who had a great fondness for this university.
The Doermer Program was established in 2006 and has funded one scholar each year since 2012. It provides a four-year, merit-based scholarship to an incoming freshman student who majors in business, and allows the recipient to have networking opportunities with the local business community, work with mentors, and participate in internships. Recipients also have the opportunity to take part in an international business experience and are expected to complete a community-based business project during their junior and senior year.
