Numbers Matter With Academically Gifted Applicants

The Trustee Distinguished Scholar Recognition Event is a monumental program for those students with the academic credentials substantial enough to earn a Trustee Scholarship. It’s also a noteworthy event for the college: On average, 60-70 percent of the attendees decide to enroll at the college and complete their St. Norbert degree there.

This year’s Jan. 30 event drew a record 145 students, most of them with parents in tow. Following last year’s record attendance of 104 students, and a historical average of 80 attendees, it’s a reflection that the college’s stature continues to grow among high achievers.

And high achievers, they are. The average GPA of this year’s Trustee Scholars is 3.95, with 72 of them maintaining a 4.0 or better; their average ACT score is 29, with 60 scoring a 30 or higher. They come from 107 different high schools and six states, including Texas and California, and they give the Saturday morning program rave reviews.

“St. Norbert’s Trustee Day event was outstanding, and I particularly enjoyed attending the Honors Program break-out session,” shared Ellie Socha ’20 after the event. “The information that was presented really opened my eyes to all of the benefits of being a part of this program. I was able to relate to the students on the panel much more than I expected!”

After the event, one parent said that he came away from the visit very glad that his daughter had chosen St. Norbert. They had visited seven different colleges and could honestly say that St. Norbert was clearly the best fit – and, in many ways, head and shoulders above the rest. Their daughter had turned down a full ride to another institution, in favor of St. Norbert.

If the event comes across so seamlessly and is so highly praised by attendees, that’s not surprising. It follows a year of planning, with about four months of working full bore on the details.

The day’s events include sessions to learn about the Honors Program, academic research and the multitude of other opportunities available to students. Attendees hear from Ed Lamm, vice president of enrollment management and communications, and college president Tom Kunkel. An awards ceremony, where they receive a medallion and certificate, acknowledges their academic accomplishments.

At pixel time, 69 Trustee Scholars who attended the event have committed to St. Norbert for this fall with their enrollment deposit.

March 1, 2016