Sixteen scholarships worth $50,000 were awarded recently as part of a new David Adamany-Wayne State University Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Program.

To honor Adamany, president of WSU from 1982-1997, for his leadership, the Alumni Association established the endowed scholarship with a gift of $1million to WSU. The scholarship provides financial assistance to selected students who, through voluntary participation in university activities, have helped to promote a positive image of WSU.

Awards are for tuition only for full- or part-time study up to 12 credit hours for the fall and winter terms. The scholarships are for Michigan resident undergraduates only who are seeking their first degree.

"This scholarship is intended to reward students who have participated involuntary University activities while maintaining a 2.75 grade-point average," Chris Cahill, assistant director of Alumni Relations, said.

"This rewards leadership on campus, it's not an academic scholarship. Recipients have to be at least sophomores so they have been on campus a year and had time to get active. The Adamany scholarship recognizes true involvement vs. a paid position on campus."

Recipients include:

Fawne Allossery of Roseville: Senior, psychology (pre-med), 3.31 GPA.

Quote: "...in terms of leadership experience, (my experiences on the volleyball and basketball teams) have contributed to my success and development as a student and athlete and, most importantly, a person."

Manish Amin of Sterling Heights: Senior, computer science, 2.75 GPA.

Quote: "My major challenge of not only being a member but also an officer of an organization was working with students who are from different ethnic backgrounds. After coming to Wayne State I've acquired a lot of respect and understanding of different cultures that are at this multicultured university.

Melissa Austin of Garden City: Senior, biology, 3.7 GPA.

Quote: "My student leadership experiences have helped me discover a world of different people and cultures."

Clifton Clarke III of Detroit: Junior, management information systems, 2.87 GPA.

Quote: "I learned through planning good programs in NAACP and participating on Student Council that nothing in life is earned without hard work."

Okima Fridge of Detroit: Junior, biology, 3.19 GPA

Quote: It (student leadership experiences) has given me the strength to strive for excellence and to work towards achieving a higher level of performance."

Adalis Fuentes of Detroit: Junior, computer science, 3.33 GPA.

Quote: "As a student leader, I have learned to take charge in projects and course-related activities when everyone else has given up or doubted their abilities."

Michael Hogan of Detroit: Junior, mathematics, 3.70 GPA.

Quote: "My WSU education has taken a meaningful direction in that I have learned that life is not only about becoming educated, but educating others along the way."

Masuma Jafri of Troy: Junior, occupational therapy, 3.3 GPA.

Quote: "...I feel that I have developed qualities of leadership, responsibility and dedication towards other students' needs while at the same time promoting a positive image of the university."

Christa Kondziolka of Warren: Junior, accounting, 3.95 GPA.

Quote: "The combination of these (leadership) skills with my academic education have helped me to better myself as a person and have made me a more qualified job applicant and representative of the university."

Jerry McKinney of Warren: Sophomore, bio-science, 3.0 GPA.

Quote: "I fully intend on continuing to succeed in my life here at Wayne and wherever else I may be."

Willie Neloms of Detroit: Senior, electrical engineering technology, 3.5 GPA.

Quote: "As a leader, I have learned the importance of goal-setting and to follow-up with assigned tasks."

Jason Patterson of Dearborn Heights: Senior, fine art-photography, 3.1 GPA.

Quote: "Educational experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting -this is what my student leadership experience has provided me during my tenure as director of the Arts Student League of Detroit."

Anthonino Rionda of Detroit: Senior, electrical and computer engineering, 3.68 GPA.

Quote: "When I graduate I will be a more rounded and mature person. And I can proudly say that I owe it to Wayne State University and the student organizations and activities that enhanced my development."

Manuel Suero of Dearborn: Junior, industrial engineering, 2.82GPA

Quote: "I am very glad that I participate in many activities and that I can share with others what I experience at school and outside from the classroom."

Joel Wolf of Waterford: Senior, civil and environmental engineering, 3.8 GPA.

Quote: I am fortunate to have gotten involved in WSU professional groups because I feel the real life lessons I take away from them may well be more valuable than those I take from the classroom."

Scott Wooster of Burton: Junior, secondary education, 3.8 GPA.

Quote: "I believe because of my involvement in athletics and the leadership qualities it has developed I am a better student in the classroom, the field, and life."