The Pillars for Excellence Scholarship is Culver-Stockton’s premier award, designed to recognize and support exceptional students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to success both on campus and beyond. Applicants must be admitted to C-SC as a first-time freshman, hold a minimum 3.75 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, and complete the C-SC Leadership Form on MyCulver.com.

Eligible candidates will be invited to campus to participate in the competitive selection process, which includes a visit with a Wildcat Ambassador, an interview with the Pillars Scholar Committee, and submission of an essay on a current event assigned by the committee.

“Our Pillars for Excellence scholarship recipients receive full-tuition coverage, awarded annually at the freshman value, and are selected from an outstanding pool of first-time freshmen,” said Eric Kniel, director of admission at 91ֱ��. “This highly competitive program is intended for students who embody resilience, intellectual curiosity, and leadership, qualities that prepare them to thrive academically and professionally.”

Students who participate in the competition but are not selected as Pillars for Excellence scholarship recipients may still qualify for up to an additional $1,000 in scholarship aid, making the program a valuable opportunity for high-achieving students.

For more information about the Pillars for Excellence Scholarship, visit culver.edu/admissions/pillars, or contact the Admission Office at 800-537-1883 or admission@culver.edu.

The Pillars for Excellence Scholarship is the college’s premier award, designed to recognize and support exceptional students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and a commitment to success both on campus and beyond. To be considered, applicants must be admitted to C-SC as a first-time freshman, hold a minimum 3.75 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, and complete the C-SC Leadership Form on MyCulver.com. Eligible candidates will be invited to campus to participate in the selection process, which includes a visit with a Wildcat Ambassador, a session with the Pillars Scholar Committee, and submission of an essay on a current event assigned by the committee.

“Our Pillars for Excellence scholarship awardees receive full-tuition coverage, awarded annually at the freshman value, and are selected from highly qualified students admitted as first-time freshmen,” said C-SC Director of Admission Eric Kniel. “This competitive program is intended for students who embody resilience, intellectual curiosity, and leadership, traits that will help them excel both in the classroom and in their careers after graduation.”

For students like Keri Schindler, C-SC Class of 2028, the award has been transformative.

“For me, receiving the Pillars for Excellence Scholarship was life-changing,” Schindler noted. “It lifted a huge financial burden and gave me opportunities, from global travel to the honors program, that enriched my education beyond the classroom. My advice to future applicants is to be unapologetically yourself. Your uniqueness is your greatest strength.”

Candidates who apply and are not awarded the Pillars for Excellence Scholarship may still qualify for up to an additional $1,000 in scholarship aid, making this opportunity an excellent path for academically gifted students committed to excellence.

For more information about the Pillars for Excellence Scholarship, including how to apply, please visit /admissions/pillars/ or contact the Admission Office at 800-537-1883 or admission@culver.edu

“We were certainly impressed with the essays submitted by participants of this year’s Pillars for Excellence competition,” said Dr. Lauren Schellenberger, president of C-SC. “The thought-provoking, intelligent responses to the given topic are a clear indication that they are ready to dive deep into Culver-Stockton’s academic environment as they prepare for an exciting and challenging world beyond college.”

Full-tuition Pillars for Excellence scholarships are awarded to highly qualified freshmen with exceptional intellectual ability. Outstanding competitors who do not receive the full-tuition scholarship receive a $1,000 C-SC scholarship.

All Pillars Scholars receive an increase of $500 in travel study grants in addition to the $1,500 in grants that all students can accrue during their four years at C-SC. Scholars can potentially receive $2,000 in travel study funding, which can be used for fees during domestic or international travel courses.

In addition to financial awards, Pillars Scholars are admitted into the college’s Honors Program, which features a comprehensive leadership course, a service-project course, academic mentorship with a research project, exclusive seminar and conference opportunities, and recognition during a congratulatory luncheon and during the college’s commencement ceremony.

This year’s C-SC Pillars for Excellence competition honorees are:

Aiden Abraham, Loveland, CO

Sydney Barkley, Chesterfield, MO

Zoah Beard, Sheman, IL

Marah Becks, Quincy, IL

Aiden Benda, Fort Madison, IA

Evan Best, Moscow Mills, MO

Emily Bishop, Mount Juliet, TN

Maddie Bradshaw, Payson, IL

Chloe Brown, Hannibal, MO

Gabriela Bryan, Abingdon, IL

Jasmine Burks, Clayton, MO

Alexis Clark, Pacific, MO

Karli Crandall, Palmyra, MO

Genna Evans, West Liberty, IA

Aubrie Ferguson, Quincy, IL

Kaitlyn Ferguson, Iowa Park, TX

Johan Fernandez, Decatur, AL

Marcella Frank, Mount Sterling, IL

Julian Garza, Houston, TX

Hailie Hark, Hannibal, MO

Lucas Henriquez, Katy, TX

Hannah Hill, Pleasant Hill, IL

Addison Holm, Lake Saint Louis, MO

Tagr Holmes, Carpenter, WY

Max Howerton, Fort Smith, AR

Sophia Lindall, El Cajon, CA

Michelle Marecki, Lombard, IL

Chloe Mashburn, Cibolo, TX

Rylie McNamee, Manchester, MO

Abagail Mooney, Silex, MO

Brady Mullen, Creighton, MO

Kaley Payton, Ewing, MO

Tristen Pitford, Kahoka, MO

Kolbe Poos, Lees Summit, MO

Elizabeth Reed, Washington, MO

Tennesyn Rohman, Bailey, CO

Ava Sanker, Lake St Louis, MO

Tailer Senn, Billings, MT

Elaina Smith, Quincy, IL

Colten Steiner, Godfrey, IL

Austin Strubbe, Beardstown, IL

Emily Vatterott, Festus, MO

Sydnie Willis, Draper, UT

Haylie Wortham, Hendersonville, TN

Zacchery Zrebiec, Las Vegas, NV