Purdue Fort Wayne Announces Recipients of Chapman and Doermer Scholarships

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Seven Indiana high school seniors who took part in the annual Summit Scholars Competition will be attending Purdue University Fort Wayne this fall as members of the 2021–22 classes of Chapman Scholars and Doermer Distinguished Scholars.

The Summit Scholars Competition is usually held as an in-person event; however, restrictions on in-person gatherings necessitated by the ongoing pandemic forced major changes to be made this year. The 45 entrants’ written submissions were reviewed by the judges, who selected 18 finalists. Those competitors then took part in a virtual event on Feb. 13, where each were interviewed by the judges and spent virtual time with an advisor in their major. The judges then selected six recipients for the Chapman Scholars Program and one for the Doermer Distinguished Scholars Program.

The Chapman Scholars Program was endowed in 2007, and the first full, four-year scholarships were awarded in 2009. Howard Chapman and his late wife, Betsy, established the four-year scholarships, in which the recipients may pursue any degree at Purdue Fort Wayne.

The Chapman Scholars Program originally funded four Scholars each year; however, thanks to the Chapman’s generosity, they increased the endowment to provide for additional scholarships. Six Chapman Scholars are now admitted to Purdue Fort Wayne each year. Scholarships are awarded entirely on academic merit and community involvement.

The Doermer Distinguished Scholars Program is funded by the late Richard T. Doermer and his family’s foundation. Doermer was a well-known and well-respected businessman and philanthropist who had a great fondness for this university.

The Doermer Program was established in 2006 and has offered one student a full, four-year scholarship each year since 2012. It provides a four-year, merit-based scholarship to an incoming freshman student who majors in business, and allows the recipient to have networking opportunities with the local business community, work with mentors, and participate in internships. Recipients also have the opportunity to take part in an international business experience and are expected to complete a community-based business project during their junior and senior years.

2021–22 CHAPMAN SCHOLARS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

• Luke Bushur is a senior at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne and is the son of James and Lori Bushur. He is going to major in computer science. While in high school, Luke has taken part in National Honor Society and Math, Physics, and Latin clubs. He is an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
• Sarah Cisz is the daughter of Robert and Heather Cisz and attends Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne. She plans to major in biology. Sarah’s school activities include marching and jazz bands, winter drumline, and musicals, as well as speech and National Honor Society.
• Charles Clem, the son of Brian and Melissa Clem, intends to major in electrical engineering. He is currently a senior at Brownsburg High School, in Brownsburg. His high school activities include being on the robotics team, marching, jazz, and pep bands, and National Honor Society.
• Emma Coville is the daughter of Robinson and Lisa Coville of Columbia City. She is a senior at Oak Farm Montessori School and intends to major in English and business. Sarah’s high school activities include student council, theatre, and environmental activism.
• Breanna Hunt attends Northridge High School and lives in Middlebury with her parents, Roger and Charlene Hunt. She plans to major in psychology. Her high school activities involve marching, jazz, symphonic, and pep bands, tutoring, National Honor Society, and student council.
• Adam Stobbe, of Porter, is the son of David and Hope Stobbe. He attends Chesterton High School and plans to major in civil engineering. His high school activities include jazz band and wind ensemble, show choir, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and helping others.

2021–22 DOERMER DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR

• Lauren McKean attends South Adams High School and is the daughter of Craig and Erin McKean of Berne. She is going to be a business major. Her high school activities include student council, soccer, concert, marching, jazz, and pep bands, choir, Business Professionals of America, and theatre.

For more information on the Summit Scholars eligibility and competition, contact Michele Shawver, Chapman Scholars Program director and Summit Scholars Competition coordinator, at 260-481-0535 or [email protected].

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