Flinn Foundation news release
Twenty of Arizona’s premier high school seniors have chosen to pursue their college education at an Arizona university on a Flinn Foundation Scholarship. The award provides four years of study, academic-focused travel abroad, personal mentorship by faculty members, and other benefits. The package is valued at more than $50,000.
The 22nd class of Flinn Scholars was honored in the midst of 175 family members, educators, college officials, and fellow Flinn Scholars at the program’s annual Recognition Dinner yesterday at the Ritz-Carlton in Phoenix. At the event, each new Flinn Scholar recognized on-stage an influential educator from high school or earlier.
The class includes students from 18 high schools in 11 Arizona cities and towns across the state. In addition to the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas, students were selected from schools in Rio Rico, Sierra Vista, St. Johns, and Yuma. Two high schools—Red Mountain and Dobson in Mesa—each had two students selected. And two schools celebrated their first-ever Flinn Scholar: Barry Goldwater High School in Phoenix and Flowing Wells High School in Tucson.
“These remarkable students could have chosen to attend virtually any college or university in the nation, many with attractive scholarship offers,” said John W. Murphy, Flinn Foundation president and CEO.
“Their academic credentials are impeccable, and they are equally impressive outside the classroom in leadership roles within the school and community, and talents in arts and athletics. Their commitment to study in Arizona is a testament to the strength and reputation of our universities.”
As a group, the class averaged scores of 1435 of a possible 1600 on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and 32 of a possible 36 on the American College Test (ACT). Eight students are National Merit Scholars and one is a National Hispanic Scholar—benchmark honors for the top echelon of students nationally.
The Flinn Scholars were chosen from an applicant pool of about 450 of Arizona’s high-achieving students. In addition to outstanding academic performance, selection criteria included achievement and demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities and community or school service efforts. Applicants submitted three essays and had two personal interviews.
The Flinn Scholars program is among a handful of statewide or regional merit-based undergraduate scholarship programs run by private philanthropies. In addition to eight semesters of study at an Arizona university, the scholarship award includes a three-week intensive seminar in Eastern Europe; at least one additional study/travel experience abroad or in the United States; mentorship by a university faculty member in the Scholar’s field of study; invitations to cultural events and activities designed to introduce the Scholars to leaders in various fields; and opportunities to participate with university faculty in research programs and professional meetings.
Applicants were required to have a minimum 3.5 grade-point average, a ranking in the top 5 percent of their graduating class, a minimum score of 1280 on the SAT test or 29 on the ACT, and demonstrated leadership abilities in school and community activities. To retain the scholarship, the students must maintain a cumulative 3.2 grade-point average and participate in campus or community activities.
The Flinn Scholars Program, begun in 1986, is operated by the Flinn Foundation Scholarship Program LLC and supported by the Flinn Foundation, a private, nonprofit, grantmaking charity based in Phoenix. The Foundation was established in 1965 by the late Dr. and Mrs. Robert S. Flinn with the broad mission of improving the quality of life in Arizona. In addition to the Scholars program, the Foundation’s primary emphasis is to advance the medical sciences in Arizona.