Reynolds and Reynolds funds scholarships for incoming Wright State students

Each Reynolds Leadership Scholars Program recipient receives $2,500 a year for up to four years.

Eight incoming engineering students have been selected to receive the latest round of scholarships as part of the Reynolds and Reynolds Leadership Scholars Program at Wright State University.

The students, who will enter Wright State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science in the fall, are high achiever high school graduates from the Dayton area and surrounding region. The scholarship awards were announced June 8 during a ceremony at the Student Union Apollo Room.

“The Reynolds and Reynolds Company Foundation is pleased to partner with Wright State University in supporting higher education of young scholars through the Reynolds and Reynolds Leadership Scholars Program,” said Willie Daughters, vice president of software support for Reynolds and a trustee with the Reynolds Company Foundation.

“Wright State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science is preparing students for the types of computer science and technology-related skills that are needed – both for today and for the future,” said Daughters. “The computer science and engineering world is one in which Reynolds is heavily involved and we’re proud to support efforts that will prepare these students to succeed in their studies, in their careers, and – ultimately – in their communities.”

Each Reynolds Leadership Scholars Program recipient receives $2,500 a year for up to four years.

The Reynolds and Reynolds Company Foundation established the Leadership Scholars Program at Wright State University in 2009 and augmented it in 2011 in recognition of the program’s success in attracting the next generation of computer scientist and information technology specialists to the Dayton region.

“It raises the level for everybody when you have students of this caliber in the college,” said Mateen Rizki, chair and professor at Wright State’s Russ Engineering Center. “They’re the leaders. They’re the ones who take control and make the things happen for other students.”

The Reynolds and Reynolds Company Foundation focuses on giving to programs in higher education to prepare quality students for key roles in regions where Reynolds has a significant presence.

As one of the oldest corporate citizens headquartered in the Dayton region, Reynolds’ support of the Leadership Scholars Program also dovetails with Wright State’s mission of transforming the communities the university serves.

About Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds was founded in Dayton, Ohio, in 1866 and has been headquartered in the area continuously since then. Today, with associates throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, Reynolds and Reynolds is the automotive industry’s leading provider of automobile dealership software, services, and forms to help dealerships improve business results. The company’s other major U.S. locations include Houston and College Station, Texas, and Celina, Ohio. (www.reyrey.com)

Fall 2012 Scholarship Recipients

Sam Bevins:

Bevins, a graduate of Tri-Village High School, will have 41 college credit hours completed upon coming to Wright State. He has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average in both high school and the college credits. Because of his academic standing, he was invited to join the International Honors Society at Edison State Community College. He has been a member of the varsity golf team at Tri-Village for four years and was team medalist his junior year. He has played the tuba in the pep band for the past four years. He is interested in video games and especially computers, which led to his choice of computer engineering as a major.

Rebecca Boyer:

Boyer, a graduate of Wayne High School, is an intern at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. She is in the National Honor Society and was on Academic Challenge varsity at her school for three years. She has participated in the science club, where she was president for two years. Boyer has taken several Advanced Placement (AP) courses, three years of German, and a programming course. Her hobbies include gaming, reading, computer experimentation, and virtualization.

Luke Folkerts:

Folkerts became involved with computers at a young age and has enjoyed gaming for many years. At Dayton Christian High School, where he earned a grade point average of 4.13, he found his true passion for computers and began trying to figure out how they work. He would like to use his knowledge of computers and electronics to develop more powerful and efficient electronics.

Matthew Hangen:

Hangen, a graduate of Brookville High School, placed in the top 14 percent in Moody’s Mega Math Challenge and competed in the Team America Rocketry competition. He was a three-year varsity track runner and four-year cross country runner, with his team placing 10th in the state in 2010. Hangen was in the school marching band for four years, playing trombone, and participated in the Wright State University Tri-State Honors band for four years.

Alex McGillvary:

McGillvary, a graduate of Miami East High School, has had an interest in computers since he was young, which was further developed through attending a week-long web design class at Edison Community College at the age of nine. McGillvary looks forward to studying programming, and learning more about computer science and computer engineering.   His goal is to secure a web designer/programmer position locally upon graduation from Wright State.

Glenn Morrison:

Morrison graduated with a 4.29 grade point average from Fairborn High School, made the principal’s list three years in a row, was a top scholar from 2009 through 2011, and has taken numerous AP courses. He took part in an essay contest in which he won a trip to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Morrison also participated in varsity soccer and swimming and played tennis for one year. He has been a member of his concert and symphonic bands and has played piano for many years.

Matthew Weber:

Weber has taken numerous AP classes at Beavercreek High School, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and was on the school academic team and the GWOC All-Conference Academic 2nd Team. He won the American Chemical Society Patterson Scholar award and is an Eagle Scout. Weber also played trumpet for the school marching band, pep band and was a section leader in the jazz band.

Benjamin Winks:

Winks is co-valedictorian of his graduating class of 228 students at Sidney High School. He is a member of the school’s Academia Team (Quiz Bowl) and represented his team nationally. Winks has competed in HTML and web design competitions and finished ninth in the nation for HTML programming. Winks has active in his church and involved in children’s church, vacation bible school and running the media room.