The Morehead Foundation will supply three fewer incoming freshmen with the prestigious scholarship this year than last year. Megan Mazzocchi, the associate director of the Morehead Foundation, said the number of scholarships handed out by the foundation fluctuates every year.
Different factors can change the number of scholarships given. The sluggish nature of the economy this year plus the increase in tuition put a larger financial burden on the foundation, making it harder to provide quality experiences for a larger number of students. Thus, the trustees have to decrease the number of scholarships awarded.
"The number is based on financial projections done by the trustees," Mazzocchi said. There were 57 scholarships given in 1998, 55 in 1999, 59 in 2000, 54 in 2001 and 51 in 2002.
Mazzocchi said the trustees are conservative with the scholarship because they want to provide quality experiences for all participating students.
The Morehead Scholarship is a full undergraduate merit scholarship. The scholarship pays for four years of tuition. Students who receive the award also participate in fully funded summer enrichment programs.
Mazzocchi said the tuition increase will not have a major impact on the scholarship program. "We have a number of factors that we factor in," Mazzocchi said.
The scholarship also includes four summers of enrichment programs. These programs allow students to gain valuable internship experience, travel the world and learn important leadership and problem-solving skills.
John Motley Morehead was an 1891 graduate of the University. He started the foundation Nov. 21, 1945. The foundation was also slated to fund the construction of the Morehead Building on campus.
"The Morehead Scholarship is the oldest merit scholarship program in the country," Mazzocchi said. The first scholarship was awarded in 1951.
