Re: “Program’s merit must be proven,” an editorial from Thursday’s edition.
The National Merit Scholars program is of great benefit to the entire university and not just to those who receive the scholarships. In evaluating this program, it is important to consider the following points.
• We recognize athletic achievement in high school by awarding athletic scholarships. These scholarships have significant costs and include significant support services. It’s entirely appropriate also to recognize outstanding academic achievement through the award of scholarships. A university’s core mission is academic. I am grateful that a group of National Merit alumni has recently launched a special campaign to give back to OU scholarship funds.
• By establishing a reputation for being a leader in National Merit scholars enrolled, OU becomes even more attractive to outstanding faculty members and other outstanding students. A great university is an institution where great teachers interact with great students. That interaction increases the intellectual vitality of the campus.
• National Merit scholars also serve as a catalyst to inspire other students to do their best in our programs. In our culture, bright high school students sometimes hide their potential. At OU, more than half of our students who graduate with honors are late bloomers who were not qualified for the Honors program when they first came to OU as freshman. The presence of National Merit scholars on campus helps that to happen.
• National Merit scholars come from many other states as well as from Oklahoma, and expand the diversity of our student body. We all grow from being with people who come from different places and backgrounds than ourselves.
• National Merit scholarships are not totally funded by OU. They also are partially funded by private funds and National Merit Scholarship Corporation support. The cost to OU for each cohort of National Merit scholars is approximately one-fourth of 1 percent (0.0025 percent) of OU’s budget. This is certainly a small price to pay for enhancing the intellectual vitality of our campus.
It should also be remembered that while other students also receive scholarships based on academic achievement, the majority of OU’s scholarships are based on factors that emphasize financial need.
Continuation of the National Merit Scholars program will help our university continue to achieve higher levels of academic excellence.
David Boren, university president
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delayed 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Amen, David Boren. Thank you for pointing out the facts, especially financial aspect/impact.