Rio Grande Offers Full Chemistry Scholarship

RIO GRANDE, Ohio – The root of all invention is science. As the world continues to evolve with new technology, science remains the gateway to the future.

Students looking to secure their future within the world of science can earn a full Chemistry scholarship to the University of Rio Grande through its Rio Grande Chemistry Academic Excellence Award competition.

“Chemistry is one of the fundamental building blocks of science. Earning a degree in Chemistry opens a variety of doors to exciting and successful career opportunities,” said Rio Grande Associate Professor John Means, Ph.D. “Rio Grande offers a unique student-focused experience with regular faculty interaction and hands-on opportunities.”

The deadline to apply for the four-year, full-tuition scholarship is Nov. 1, 2014. The competition is open to any student enrolling for the fall of 2015 who plans to major in Chemistry. Applications, available at rio.edu/chemistryscholarship, include a 200-word essay, letters of recommendation and high school transcripts.

The competition also includes awards for second and third place; $2,000 and $1,000 annual scholarships, respectively.

There have been five previous winners of the Chemistry Academic Excellence Awards. The first recipient, Andrea Merry, is now pursuing her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University. Kris Kleski is pursuing his Doctorate in Organic Chemistry at the University of Toledo. And Michael MacKnight is continuing his education at the University Virginia’s Science Scholars Program. Michael Parcell and Halley Alberts are pursuing Bachelor’s Degrees at Rio Grande.

The annual mean salary of Chemists and Material Scientists is $78,780, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Depending on highest degree completion and specific fields, salaries can climb well into six digits.

Founded in 1876 and nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of southeastern Ohio, the University of Rio Grande serves as an oasis of learning, innovation and technology. The 190-acre residential campus strikes a balance of liberal arts and experiential learning to prepare students for successful lives as responsible citizens in a culturally diverse, global community. An epicenter of cultural enrichment, Rio offers students a nurturing environment focused on the needs of the individual with a student-faculty ratio of 16:1 and a plethora of extracurricular activities ranging from Student Senate to Greek life, and intercollegiate athletics.