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Meet the 2017 Wilson Scholars

The Wilson Scholarship is Appalachian’s most prestigious scholarship program

By University Communications
Posted June 7, 2017 at 11:42 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Among the six new Wilson Scholars at Appalachian State University this year are a published author, the founder of a non-profit charity and an advocate for women’s empowerment. One recipient has worked to relieve hunger in his community. Another has promoted community involvement and drug- and alcohol-free schools, while yet another is passionate about environmental advocacy.

The Wilson Scholars Program embodies a rich blend of academic excellence, leadership and service. It is Appalachian’s most prestigious, merit-based scholarship program and covers full institutional costs as well as an additional $10,000 experiential-learning stipend. Wilson Scholars are chosen based on their academic achievements, as well as their service and leadership in their communities and schools. The program attracts outstanding students, instills in them a commitment to change the world and provides the resources for students to think creatively, strategically and collaboratively.

More than 3,100 incoming freshmen applications were reviewed for this year’s scholarship.

“The final candidates were interviewed by committee members during Scholars Day earlier this spring,” said Dr. David Marlett, the program’s faculty director. “All the candidates were outstanding, and we feel the six selected best exemplify the right combination of academic success and commitment to servant leadership.”

Meet the 2017 Class of Wilson Scholars

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Evan Malinchock

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Malinchock is a student-athlete, holding positions in many clubs and organizations including the Chapel Hill High School Ski Team and the CHHS Stock Exchange Club. Over his 12 years of involvement with his local chapter of Boy Scouts of America, Malinchock has received the Eagle Scout award and served as trip planner and leader of a successful 100-mile trek of the most remote section of the Appalachian Trail.

An avid outdoorsman with a passion for service, Malinchock has worked extensively with PORCH, an organization dedicated to hunger relief in his local community. His intended major is sustainable technology with the goal of giving back to the environment and the communities that have given so much to him.

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Jabari Moore

Mint Hill, North Carolina

Moore serves as an ambassador for the Young Black Male Leadership Alliance and has organized several charity events for the organization in addition to participating in a mission trip to Haiti. He is first chair and section leader for the Independence High School Concert, Jazz and Wind Ensemble Bands as well as a dedicated football and baseball player.

Co-captain of the Independence High Dream Team, a group of student-athletes who work to promote community involvement and a drug and alcohol-free school, Moore has demonstrated a commitment to service and scholarship through his involvement with several organizations including Interact Club, National Honor Society and Science Olympiad. His intended major is biology.

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Jama Brookes

Connelly Springs, North Carolina

Brookes is a published author and public speaker on topics of resiliency and compassionate care in the medical field. Having spent over 200 days as a hospital inpatient over the past four years, she has found her place working to inspire, support and encourage other patients and serving as an advocate for those whose voices are not heard.

Due to her challenging and life-shaping experiences, Brookes is an aspiring physician with dreams of transforming the medical system into one accessible and available to all by implementing compassionate care and encouraging resiliency. She is a passionate community servant trained in classical ballet and committed to making purpose out of pain. Her intended major is exercise science.

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Joy Siler

Asheville, North Carolina

Siler has been a lover of stories since her childhood, growing up on a 14-acre farm in rural North Carolina with her imagination as a constant companion. Since then, she has dedicated herself to her communities, becoming heavily involved with Owen High School drama productions and student government as well as studying and practicing restorative bodywork therapy for the elderly.

Siler has received several awards for both theatrical and choral achievement including the NC Theater Conference Outstanding Achievement in Acting. A passionate environmental advocate, she aims to use powerful stories to encourage understanding and respect among the global community. Her intended major is theater.

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Sydney Shadrick

Lake Zurich, Illinois

Shadrick is the founder of a non-profit charity to provide stuffed animals and blankets to hospitalized children during the holiday season. She hopes to follow in the footsteps of her grandmother, a former special education teacher, and aspires to continue her grandmother’s legacy of patience, compassion and kindness that serves as her inspiration.

As the editor-in-chief of the Lake Zurich High School yearbook, Shadrick successfully initiated several major changes to the club, effectively motivating, organizing and reenergizing her peers. Shadrick also is highly involved with student government and the National Honors Society. She served as president of the Buddy Project, a club dedicated to serving students with disabilities, and as a mentor to rising high school freshmen. Her intended major is special education.

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Sydney Stoter

Califon, New Jersey

Stoter is an active member of Key Club, Spanish Club, the National Honor Society, the World Language Honor Society and the Varsity Cheerleading Squad. She is an Xcel Platinum level gymnast having competed at local, state and national competitions. Stoter’s Jewish education and background have been foundational for her personal growth and have led her to serve as an impactful Hebrew tutor for others in her community.

In 2015, Stoter was invited to participate in the highly-selective Girls’ Leadership Worldwide program in New York, which aims to empower young women to uphold Eleanor Roosevelt’s legacy of equality and respect for others, courageousness and positive change. Stoter aspires to be a speech language pathologist. Her intended major is communication sciences and disorders.

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Brad and Carole Wilson

About the donors

The Wilson Scholarship was established as Appalachian’s premier scholarship in 2013 by Brad and Carole Wilson of Raleigh, who are both 1975 graduates of the university. Brad Wilson is CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Carole Wilson is a member of the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees.

Current Number of Wilson Scholars

20

About the scholarship

  • Covers tuition, fees, book rental, and room and board for four years
  • Includes $2,500 annual stipend to pursue academic and service projects
  • Can be renewed with acceptable grade point average

Selection Criteria

  • Academic achievements
  • Service and leadership in community and school

Benefits of being a Wilson Scholar

  • A fall semester academic trip for all freshmen Wilson Scholars (led by the program's faculty director)
  • Support for research and scholarship
  • Support for travel to conferences in the student's area of research/scholarship, and mentoring to enhance graduate/professional school and prestigious scholarship applications
  • Enrollment in the designated Wilson Scholars First Year Seminar
  • Priority registration for course selection
  • Personalized academic mentoring and advising from the program’s faculty director
  • Housing in Cone Hall (for freshmen) and Summit Hall (for upperclass students).
  • Participation in university activities including lectures, concerts and seminars.
Scholarships at Appalachian
Scholarships at Appalachian

Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate through various need- and merit-based scholarships. The university sets aside more than $4 million annually for scholarships, with scholarship opportunities available to incoming, current and transfer students. Appalachian’s Office of University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-Appalachian scholarships.

Learn more
Six students honored with Wilson Scholarship
Six students honored with Wilson Scholarship

They are ‘passionate about service’ and ‘dedicated to understanding the world around them’

Aug. 24, 2016

Six incoming students earned the Wilson Scholarship this year, Appalachian’s most prestigious merit-based scholarship. Selected on academic achievements, service and leadership, these students are passionately engaged!

Read the story
Commitment to service, leadership and academics are hallmarks of the Wilson Scholars
Commitment to service, leadership and academics are hallmarks of the Wilson Scholars
June 15, 2015

The Wilson Scholars Program is Appalachian State University’s most prestigious full-ride, merit-based scholarship. The 2015 class arrives on campus soon.

Read the story
Wilson Scholars begin college with study abroad in France
Wilson Scholars begin college with study abroad in France
Sep. 19, 2014

The Wilson Scholars program welcomes four inaugural scholars, who began their Appalachian Experience with study abroad.

Read the story

About the Wilson Scholars Program

The Wilson Scholars Program, Appalachian State University's premier scholarship program, embodies the true Appalachian spirit: a rich blend of academic excellence, leadership and service. This scholarship program attracts passionate individuals, instills in them a commitment to change the world, and provides the resources for them to think creatively, strategically and collaboratively. Established in 2013 with a generous gift by 1975 Appalachian alumni Carole and Brad Wilson, the program welcomed its inaugural class in the fall of 2014. Students represent a variety of majors and disciplines — from business and science, to the arts and humanities. Learn more at https://wilsonscholars.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

View larger image

Brad and Carole Wilson

About the donors

The Wilson Scholarship was established as Appalachian’s premier scholarship in 2013 by Brad and Carole Wilson of Raleigh, who are both 1975 graduates of the university. Brad Wilson is CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Carole Wilson is a member of the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees.

Current Number of Wilson Scholars

20

About the scholarship

  • Covers tuition, fees, book rental, and room and board for four years
  • Includes $2,500 annual stipend to pursue academic and service projects
  • Can be renewed with acceptable grade point average

Selection Criteria

  • Academic achievements
  • Service and leadership in community and school

Benefits of being a Wilson Scholar

  • A fall semester academic trip for all freshmen Wilson Scholars (led by the program's faculty director)
  • Support for research and scholarship
  • Support for travel to conferences in the student's area of research/scholarship, and mentoring to enhance graduate/professional school and prestigious scholarship applications
  • Enrollment in the designated Wilson Scholars First Year Seminar
  • Priority registration for course selection
  • Personalized academic mentoring and advising from the program’s faculty director
  • Housing in Cone Hall (for freshmen) and Summit Hall (for upperclass students).
  • Participation in university activities including lectures, concerts and seminars.
Scholarships at Appalachian
Scholarships at Appalachian

Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate through various need- and merit-based scholarships. The university sets aside more than $4 million annually for scholarships, with scholarship opportunities available to incoming, current and transfer students. Appalachian’s Office of University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-Appalachian scholarships.

Learn more

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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