Madeline Donlon of Philadelphia, PA, is the winner of Cedar Crest College’s four-year, full-tuition scholarship. Donlon competed against more than one hundred other high-achieving students from across the country at the 14th Annual Scholarship Competition Day held in February.
Invited students took a three-hour exam covering the arts, mathematics, science, writing, and the humanities during the campus event. Per tradition, President Elizabeth M. Meade, Ph.D., kicked off Scholarship Competition Day by quizzing the 69 News at Sunrise anchors on WFMZ.
Prior to the exam, attendees heard from Vice President of Enrollment Management Stephanie Walker, President Meade, and last year’s winner Giovanna Sodano.
“By having been invited here today you have already won,” Meade told competing students. “Your achievements have been recognized and rewarded. Go into it with confidence in your intellect and achievement.”
Later that day, the top 25 finishers were recognized, and five finalists, including Donlon, moved on to the interview portion of the competition. A few weeks later, Meade personally called Donlon to tell her she had been named the winner.
“When I learned I won the competition, I was filled with excitement, disbelief, and gratitude,” Donlon says. “I couldn’t believe I had won, but I was so happy that I did. Earning a full-tuition scholarship alleviates a large amount of the financial burden of college and makes more opportunities available to me and my family.”
Donlon, who will graduate this spring from the Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush in Philadelphia, is a viola player in the All City Orchestra and participates in various activities, including debate and anime clubs. She also has an interest in emergency medical services and plans to become a licensed EMT.
At Cedar Crest College, she intends to study nursing with dual major in mathematics. Donlon is also excited about the college’s global learning opportunities, such as the Sophomore Expedition and Nursing Study Tours. “I am looking forward to learning and discovering more about my passions and myself,” she says.
About Cedar Crest College’s Scholarship Competition Day
The annual Scholarship Day Competition aims to bring high-achieving students to campus, where they and their families can discover the many opportunities available at Cedar Crest.
In recognition of their academic achievements, every participant receives, at minimum, a $2,000 scholarship over four years ($500 per year). Those who place in the top 25 receive larger scholarships as follows:
- 11th-25th place receive a $4,000 scholarship over four years ($1,000 per year)
- 6th-10th place receive a $6,400 scholarship over four years ($1,600 per year)
- 2nd – 5th place receive an $8,000 scholarship over four years ($2,000 per year).
- The winner receives a four-year, full-tuition scholarship