Webb School of Knoxville Senior Katelyn Ragland of Knoxville Selected for Clemson University's National Scholars Program

2013 May 9

Webb School of Knoxville senior Katelyn Ragland of Knoxville has been invited to join the Clemson University National Scholars Program, which includes a four-year merit scholarship and educational enrichment opportunities.

Ragland is among 10 students who comprise the 2013 cohort of National Scholars at Clemson. There were thirty-one finalists this year out of more than 900 applicants to Clemson's Calhoun Honors College and more than 15,000 applicants to Clemson.

At the Feb. 22-24 National Scholars Program Weekend, Ragland participated in a series of selection activities, including individual and small group interviews, a group decision-making exercise and a writing exercise. After the weekend, the finalists were invited to join the 14th cohort of National Scholars.

Ragland plans to major in Bioengineering at Clemson.

Ragland serves as a Senior Ambassador, helping younger students with the transition to her school, and has served as a tutor, both at the Webb School and through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Knoxville, since her freshman year. As co-captain and head of the electronics section of a FIRST Robotics team, Ragland organizes donations and sponsorships as well as the building of a robot to be used in national competitions. In addition to completing a study abroad in Costa Rica, Ragland is also a member of her school's varsity sailing team and a Senior Editor of the school newspaper, mentoring younger writers.

"Every year when we enroll the newest group of scholars, we think that they cannot be topped in terms of their intellectual ability, academic accomplishments and community service and leadership," said Jamie Williams, director of the National Scholars Program. "And every year, the next group of scholars proves us wrong."

Beyond the remarkable academic records they present – with an average SAT of 1510 and high school class rank in the top 1 percent - these scholars are a diverse and talented group of researchers, writers, artists, actors, musicians, athletes and community servants, Williams said.

Each of the students declined at least one full tuition-and-fees scholarship to another institution. All were accepted to at least one top-10 public or private institution. In total, they had 28 acceptances to top 20 public or private institutions.

In addition to receiving Clemson's largest academic scholarship package, National Scholars participate in a range of intellectual and professional development experiences, including specialized seminars, study travel and dedicated mentoring.

"The reward in working with these students is that we get to support them in setting and achieving their intellectual, personal and professional goals, both at Clemson and beyond," said Williams. "Given that our soon-to-graduate seniors were accepted to top graduate programs in their fields, it's safe to say that Clemson is doing a remarkable job in preparing them for continued success."

Founded in 2000, the National Scholars Program has enrolled more than 120 students who have emerged as campus leaders at Clemson, serving as presidents of the student body and members of organizations including Engineers without Borders, Habitat for Humanity and fraternities and sororities, to name only a few.

Nine National Scholars have been named Goldwater Scholars, the top award for undergraduates in science and engineering; four have been awarded the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship; and two have been named Fulbright Scholars. After graduation, National Scholars have enrolled at top graduate, medical and law schools around the world (including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and Cambridge) and have taken jobs at Fortune 500 companies, including BMW and General Electric.