[Barry Bonzack]

Thinking about this more today, thought I may toss out another idea that could give the topic of conversation some more focus. This post is not directed at the current selection committee, Libby, or anyone specifically, just the general reader of this post. Lets play a game:

You are a member of the selection committee for the Dean's list. the committee has already selected some nominees to be winners, but still must pick some more, it is your job to help narrow down the list. The following students have completely equal credentials, have all inspired their community, and display leadership qualities. Rank in your mind who you believe deserves it most, and who deserves it least. Again, all candidates are completely equal, except for what is listed.

Student A is a Junior who plans to apply to one of the prestigious schools which the Dean's List criteria is referencing.

Student B is a Senior who has already been accepted to one of the prestigious schools the Dean's List criteria is referencing.

Student C is a junior who dreams to go to one of the prestigious schools which the Dean's List criteria is referencing, however indicates there is no way he/she can afford it without serious financial aid.

Student D is a junior or senior, but will only apply to a local college because he/she has family obligations who depend on him/her to stay local.

Student E is a junior or senior, and intends to major in education, journalism, business, political science, or art, and has no interest in attending any of the prestigious schools which the Dean's List criteria is referencing.

Student F is a junior or senior, but had an extremely rough freshman year of high school, turned it around, but still has horrible GPA and SAT score, and can not possibly be accepted to prestigious schools which the Dean's List criteria is referencing.


Again, everything is completely identical except for the above. This is why it is hard to be a judge, because with 144 applications, I am sure many decisions like this had to be made, and you are on a committee with people that think differently from you. Any decision you make gives a different perception of what everyone thinks the award is "actually" about, and in every circumstance someone gains, and others are unhappy. Lets brainstorm what can be done to help remedy these issues.

My opinions below just thinking out loud: only worth $0.02

Spoiler for :

If A > B Then perception is that the award grade discriminating, since there are no other factors to consider, and A does not equal B.

If C > A The perception is that award is now a financial Need based award, when the criteria no where states it is.

If any of the students D - F are selected, then it takes away the opportunities from students A-C who could have been able to use the scholarships for the prestigious schools.

If student D is eliminated, then the focus is on helping students get into prestigious schools

If student E is eliminated, it is in complete conflict with the message that FIRST is NOT about turning all students into engineers, but to recognize and inspire all students the benefits engineers have on the world. [Rant Activated] These students are the future Mark Leons, Blairs, Billfreds, Kathy and Cassie Becks. These are the future CEO's of non engineering companies that sponsor FIRST, reporters that get our name in the news, politicians that sway policies in our favor, and teachers that will one day be leads of their schools team.

The university I graduated from at that time had a FIRST scholarship, but I was ineligible because like many other FIRST scholarships, were only awarded to students who were accepted to the school of engineering. We should be creating more opportunities for the non-engineering students and alumni. [/Rant Deactivated]

If you eliminated student F, then Dean Kamen would not have been eligible on your Dean's list. Also, no where does the criteria currently state there is a minimum GPA requirement, however we are required to submit the students' GPA's with the essays. If there is no requirement, why should this be submitted?