Indiana State University is welcoming 21 outstanding students as President’s Scholars for the 2026–27 academic year, recognizing their academic achievement, leadership and potential to make an impact at Indiana State and beyond.
The incoming class includes 18 freshmen and three transfer students pursuing degrees across the University’s academic colleges.
The President’s Scholarship is one of Indiana State’s most prestigious awards. Freshman recipients receive full, in-state tuition and on-campus housing with a total four-year value of more than $80,000. Transfer recipients receive full, in-state tuition.
“We are thrilled to welcome the incoming class of President’s Scholars to campus this fall,” said Indiana State University President Mike Godard. “These are immensely talented students who have earned their scholarships through a highly competitive process. We look forward to the leadership and energy they will bring to our campus and are excited that they have chosen to begin their professional journeys at Indiana State University.”
The University Scholarship Office, in collaboration with the Honors College, begins recruiting high-achieving students soon after their admission to Indiana State. Winter interview day events are an important part of the competitive selection process and provide prospective scholars an opportunity to learn more about the University and the opportunities available to them as Sycamores.
The 2026–27 President’s Scholars include:
- Halle Carmean, Vincennes, Indiana — A graduate of South Knox High School, Carmean is pursuing a degree in Insurance and Risk Management through the Scott College of Business.
- Haylee Coleman, Santa Claus, Indiana — A graduate of Heritage Hills High School, Coleman is pursuing studies in Kinesiology, Pre-Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy through the College of Health and Human Services.
- Ella Dicken, Cloverdale, Indiana — A graduate of Cloverdale High School, Dicken is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education through the Bayh College of Education.
- Kiersten Dolphin, Charlestown, Indiana — A graduate of Jeffersonville High School, Dolphin is pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering through the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology.
- Anneke Donker, Terre Haute, Indiana — A graduate of Terre Haute South Vigo High School, Donker is pursuing a degree in Professional Aviation Flight Technology through the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology and a degree in Political Science through the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Jenna Farris, Brazil, Indiana — A graduate of Northview High School, Farris is pursuing studies in Elementary and Special Education through the Bayh College of Education.
- Samantha Fehrenbacher, Charleston, Illinois — A graduate of Charleston High School, Fehrenbacher is pursuing Biology and Pre-Medicine through the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Cabela Golish, New Lebanon, Indiana — A graduate of Sullivan High School, Golish is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology through the College of Health and Human Services.
- Madi Gorski, New Lenox, Illinois — A graduate of Lincoln-Way Community High School, Gorski is pursuing a degree in Data Science with a concentration in Business Analytics through the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Ries Harmon, Terre Haute, Indiana — A graduate of Terre Haute North Vigo High School, Harmon is pursuing Biology and Pre-Medicine through the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Aidan Lacey, Clinton, Indiana — A graduate of South Vermillion High School, Lacey is pursuing studies in Professional Aviation Technology and Aviation Management through the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology.
- Melani Martinez Blanco, Jasper, Indiana — A graduate of Jasper High School, Martinez Blanco is pursuing a degree in Management through the Scott College of Business.
- Madeleine Menges, Washington, Missouri — A graduate of Saint Francis Borgia High School, Menges is pursuing a degree in Professional Aviation Flight Technology through the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology.
- Aubrey Miller, Brazil, Indiana — A graduate of Northview High School, Miller is pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders.
- Sam Oberst, Newburgh, Indiana — A graduate of Castle High School, Oberst is pursuing a degree in Professional Aviation Flight Technology through the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology.
- Kaitlynn Padgett, Spencer, Indiana — Padgett is continuing her education at Indiana State as a Psychology major with a minor in Human Resources.
- Leah Phipps, Chrisman, Illinois — A graduate of Chrisman High School, Phipps is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology through the College of Health and Human Services.
- Addison Schneider, Ferdinand, Indiana — A graduate of Forest Park High School, Schneider is pursuing a degree in Baccalaureate Nursing through the College of Health and Human Services.
- Carli Walter, Moores Hill, Indiana — A graduate of South Dearborn High School, Walter is pursuing a degree in Baccalaureate Nursing through the College of Health and Human Services.
- Abigail Will, Fort Wayne, Indiana — A graduate of Homestead High School, Will is pursuing Biology and Pre-Medicine through the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Alison Wilson, Perrysville, Indiana — A graduate of North Vermillion High School, Wilson is pursuing a degree in Psychology through the College of Arts and Sciences.
The President’s Scholars represent communities throughout Indiana, Illinois and Missouri and bring a wide range of academic interests to Indiana State, including aviation, engineering, business, education, health sciences, communication sciences, data science and the liberal arts.
Through the President’s Scholarship program, Indiana State continues to attract high-achieving students and provide them with opportunities to develop as scholars, leaders and professionals while contributing to the Sycamore community.