Inaugural Presidential Fellows

The University of Pikeville introduced a brandnew scholarship this year, the Presidential Fellow Scholarship. Awarded to two deserving students, this prestigious program offers a full-ride scholarship that includes room and board and is renewable for up to eight semesters or until the completion of a bachelor’s degree.

To qualify for the scholarship, students must earn a minimum high school GPA of 3.75 and achieve a top-tier ACT or SAT score. Students must also have 50 hours of documented community service prior to graduating high school. Finalists are invited to campus for an interview before the winners are selected. The scholarship stipulates that the recipient must also work on campus.

Aariana Sparks and Noah Helphenstine were also selected for UPIKE’s Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program. This opportunity allows them to interact with the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine facilities, helping to better prepare them for medical school.

Sparks graduated valedictorian from Betsy Layne High School in Floyd County, Ky., and is also a UPIKE cheerleader. She is majoring in biology with plans to become a doctor, although she is uncertain about her specialty. She is currently working in the Health Professions Education Building on campus.

Balancing her cheer schedule with work and academic commitments have still left Sparks with time to explore campus and make friends. Being awarded the scholarship has also helped ease the financial hardship that can come with the cost of a college education.

“I absolutely love UPIKE and I have made so many friends through the cheer program,” said Sparks. “When I submitted my personal statement, I never dreamed I would have been selected. With everything else going on in my life, this scholarship is such a blessing to me. It allows me to attend college without worrying about debt.”

Helphenstine graduated salutatorian from Caldwell County High School in Princeton, Ky. He has a double major in biology and chemistry and also works as a research assistant for Professor Phillip Jen, Ph.D., in the biology department, where he is helping with cancer research and learning about research processes.

His father is a practicing emergency room physician, but Helphenstine is interested in pulmonology and orthopedic surgery as possible specialties. His background in scuba diving has piqued his interest in hyperbaric medicine. He is choosing to keep his options open and see where life takes him and is grateful the scholarship gives him that opportunity.

“I love it here! It’s everything I thought it would be and a little extra,” said Helphenstine. “Being one of the recipients is a large blessing because I don’t have to worry about the financial burden. I can pursue my education and get one of the best quality educations in Kentucky in my field, thanks to this scholarship.”

The Presidential Fellow Scholarship is awarded annually to two deserving students. This prestigious program offers a full-ride scholarship that includes room and board and is renewable for up to eight semesters or until the completion of a bachelor’s degree. For more information about applying for the scholarship, visit upike.edu/presfellow.