Haslam Scholars Finalists

Selection criteria for the inaugural class of Haslam Scholars included scholastic achievement, leadership potential, maturity and seriousness of purpose, and special talents.

Haslam Scholars will be part of an intimate study group mentored by top UT faculty. Program benefits include a $1,500 laptop computer and a study-abroad experience valued at $4,000, as well as up to $5,500 to support a senior research thesis and travel to present their work.

Haslam Scholars also will receive the Chancellor's scholarship, UT's most prestigious merit-based financial award.

The 2008 Haslam Finalists are:

	Alex AuBuchon, Scholar Henry County High School Paris, Tenn. AuBuchon, who plans to major in English, has been active in speech, theater and music.
	Morgan Baltz, Scholar Mt. Juliet High School Mt. Juliet,Tenn. Baltz, who plans to major in chemical engineering, is president of her school's science and Spanish clubs, and she has been a competitive dancer for 15 years.
	Aidan Boone Farragut High School Knoxville, Tenn. Boone is graduating from high school on time even though he spent most of his freshman year in the hospital battling Burkitt's lymphoma. After being chosen to work on a research project in the Biosciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, he decided to major in biomedical engineering and pursue a career in medical research.
	Anna-Lise Burnette, Scholar Seymour High School Seymour, Tenn. Burnette is one of two National Merit Finalists in Sevier County. A writer, poet, and singer, she plans to major in cultural anthropology or English.
	Kelley Callaway, Scholar Bearden High School Knoxville, Tenn. Callaway, who plans to major in pre-med, biomedical engineering, is also a softball player.
	Jonathan Cao McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tenn. Cao, who is from Simi Valley, Calif., plans to major in music. He has performed in various musical groups and served as drum major for the past three seasons. He is a resident adviser in the freshman dorm and senior editor of the school's literary magazine.
	Caitlin Conley, Scholar Christ Presbyterian Academy Franklin, Tenn. Conley, who plans to major in pre-med, chemistry, enjoys soccer and science.
	Margaret Conley, Scholar Daniel Boone High School Jonesborough, Tenn. Conley, who grew up on a family-owned dairy farm, plans to major in animal science and work as a small animal veterinarian. She has been active in Tennessee Girls State, 4-H and her school's soccer team.
	Ryan Dawson Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School Birmingham, Ala. Dawson, who plans to major in aerospace engineering, is an Eagle Scout, a National Achievement Finalist and president of his school's science club. He went to 2007 Alabama Boys State and represented his state as a senator at the American Legion's Boys Nation.
	Tim DeMartin Hunterdon Central Regional High School Flemington, N.J. DeMartin, who plans to major in journalism, is the editor of his school's newspaper, a contributing sportswriter for his hometown paper, the announcer for his school's basketball teams and member of the football team.
	Charlie Edwards, Scholar Lawrence County High School Lawrenceburg, Tenn. Edwards, who plans to major in enterprise management, has been active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, student government and Key Club. He is part of his school's chorus and will sing at Carnegie Hall this summer.
	Liliane Ernst Oak Ridge High School College Station, Texas. Ernst, plans to major in biology, with the goal of going on to medical school and becoming a surgeon. She also wants to study Chinese.
	Aeron Glover, Scholar Whitehaven High School Memphis, Tenn. Glover, who plans to major in either mechanical or computer engineering, is president of his school's Future Business Leaders of America. He also runs track.
	Alexander Happ, Scholar Westminster Academy Germantown, Tenn. Happ, who plans to major in math, enjoys singing and athletics.
	Chelsea Knotts, Scholar Ripley High School Ripley, W. Va. Knotts plans to major in exercise science and eventually attend medical school. She is a runner and dancer.
	Dorothy McLeod Central High School Knoxville, Tenn. McLeod is her school's salutatorian, president of the National Honor Society and captain of the academic team. She plays piccolo with the Knoxville Youth Symphony Orchestra. She is a Girl Scout who is working on her Gold Award Project, revamping her school's library web site.
	Minghui "Helen" Ren Oak Ridge High School Oak Ridge, Tenn. Ren was born in China and came to America in 2003. Her interests are engineering and economics.
	Bert Ruyten, Scholar Tullahoma High School Tullahoma, Tenn. Ruyten is interested in music and engineering. He also enjoys writing, photography and public speaking.
	Joseph Sills Christian Academy of Knoxville Knoxville, Tenn. Sills, who plans to major in comparative literature and physics, is a baseball player and participates on his high school's academic team. He celebrates his Hispanic heritage through Spanish culture and literature. He has spent two weeks during each of the past two summers working at an orphanage in Acapulco with a mission team.
	Sarah Simpkins Farragut High School Knoxville, Tenn. Simpkins, who plans to major in fine arts and natural science, enjoys hiking and snow skiing, as well as reading, drawing, and listening to music.
	Candance Swanigan, Scholar Central High School Memphis, Tenn. Swanigan plans to major in psychology. She enjoys tutoring and helping teachers with errands.
	Elizabeth Tiller, Scholar American Christian Academy Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tiller is captain of her school's track and cross-country teams, and she enjoys cooking and reading. She plans to major in Spanish.
	Brittany Vasquez, Scholar Morristown Hamblen High School Morristown, Tenn. Vasquez is the captain of her school's varsity girls' soccer team. She plans to major in forensic pathology and international relations, and she wants to join the Peace Corps after she graduates from college.
	Mark Walker, Scholar Oak Ridge High School Oak Ridge, Tenn. Walker spent seven years living in Cardiff, Wales. He plays the piano and cello and enjoys ballroom dancing. He has participated in Model UN and student council. He wants to major in pre-med.
	Ben Yang White Station High School Memphis, Tenn. Yang, who plans to major in pre-med, is currently shadowing a physician at West Clinic, a nonprofit cancer clinic affiliated with Baptist Memorial Hospital. He is a National Merit finalist.

The UT program was created with $2.5 million from Jimmy and Dee Haslam. Jimmy Haslam is president and CEO of Pilot Travel Centers. Dee Haslam is CEO of RIVR Media and also chairs the UT Development Council. The Haslams chair the Campaign for Tennessee for the Knoxville campus.

Jim and Natalie Haslam contributed an additional $2.5 million to support the program. Jim Haslam is chairman of the board of Pilot Travel Centers LLC and chairman of the board and president of Pilot Corp.