Wilmington College recognized 27 students studying in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and medicine) fields and receiving competitive scholarships allocated from a $728,000 Choose Ohio First grant. The students, who are studying veterinary science, chemistry, environmental science and biology/life sciences, represent the 2025-26 and 2026-27 grant cohorts eligible to receive $52,000 annually for four years.
Many of the students and their parents attended the 2026 Choose Ohio First Scholars Banquet on Oct. 9, at which they were recognized for their academic scholarship and potential for career success in STEM areas. Amanda Rollins, assistant professor of biology, noted that these competitive STEM scholarships support experiential learning, “which is at the heart of what we do at Wilmington College.”
President Corey Cockerill congratulated the scholarship recipients and lauded those who made the Choose Ohio First grant possible. “Today is a manifestation of this dream and vision for this grant,” she said about multiple cohorts of students benefiting from the Ohio Department of Education’s grant program — now and in the future. Indeed, new cohorts and additional funding will continue for at least the next three years. “The buildup of this program is going to be tremendous, bringing more talented students like you to WC.”
Cockerill noted this grant will enable the College to recruit and retain underrepresented populations — including women, minority students and first-generation college students from rural and Appalachian regions — into these academic programs, addressing critical workforce needs while enhancing diversity in these fields.
PICTURED: Board of Trustees Chair J. Brent Bill and Biology Professor Amanda Rollins meet several of the scholarship recipients at the Choose Ohio First Scholar Banquet, including Rheyse Harmon (LEFT) and Alexander Cade.
“This initiative will directly support economic and job growth in key STEM areas, particularly throughout southwest Ohio,” she said. “By equipping students with the skills needed in critical industries like pharmaceuticals, agriculture, environmental science and veterinary medicine, we are helping to fill regional labor shortages with well-prepared, highly skilled graduates.”
She announced the College will receive an additional Choose Ohio First grant earmarked to recruit students in mathematics and begin enrolling starting next fall. Also, the College is applying for a future grant that would allocate scholarships for students enrolling in its Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program beginning in 2028.
Board of Trustees Chair J. Brent Bill emphasized the College’s historic Quaker affiliation, citing Quakers’ support for higher education and its “long tradition” of members who study in the sciences.
Russell Kincaid, professor of mathematics and physics, has been closely involved in successfully authoring the grant proposals. He said the state stipulates that the grants be awarded to students from Ohio, with the hope that, as graduates, they ultimately engage in careers in the state. “These talented students are becoming leaders on campus and in the community.”
TOP PHOTO: Professor Russell Kincaid chats with two of the Choose Ohio First grant recipients, Calista Andrian (LEFT) and Krystal Bunger.
PICTURED: President Corey Cockerill poses with members of the initial two cohorts of Choose Ohio First grant scholarship recipients. The 2025-26 cohort includes Alyssa Ackroyd, Kyla Begley, Krystal Bunger, Alexander Cade, Addisyn Downing, Heather Dutenhaver, Rheyse Hamon, Adam Haney, Riley Lynn, Samantha Martin, Maggie Mirizzi, Dakota Pierson, Emma Powers and Channing Toy. Those in the 2026-27 cohort are Calista Andrian Dalton Bush, Grant Eberhardt, Owen Goldstein, Emma Hershberger, Rashele Hoffman, Samantha Reynolds, Leah Roseberry, Sydney Schmaltz, Shelby Snider, Annaliese Szabo, Aurora Wallace and Madilynn Zedeker.