( Added: October 12, 2009 ) - Purdue will reward student leaders from urban areas in Indiana and Illinois with a new scholarship announced by the university.

The Emerging Urban Leaders Scholarship program is made possible by a $6 million anonymous gift Purdue received in April 2009. The new scholarship, which is part of the university's Access and Success Campaign, will offer $5,000 to select Indiana students from the Indianapolis Public Schools district and public schools in Hammond, Gary and East Chicago. Students from Chicago Public Schools Corporation also can qualify for a $15,000 scholarship. The scholarships are renewable annually for four years upon achievement of a 2.70 Purdue grade point average.


"Purdue is dedicated to making a college education accessible for students, especially those who succeed in the classroom and are proven community leaders," said Purdue President France A. Córdova.

The first Emerging Urban Leader Scholars will be selected from the 2010 entering freshman class. No separate application is needed for this scholarship. Prospective students who submit their Purdue application, transcript and test scores by Nov. 15 will be considered. Students will be evaluated on their academic and leadership skills.

Purdue trustee William Oesterle pledged $250,000 to the program.

"This is another way we can ensure Indiana students are able to achieve a college education," said Oesterle, an Indianapolis resident who also is chief executive officer and a co-founder of Angie's List. "I really hope other people step up to help us expand this program so we can provide this opportunity to even more deserving students."

Oesterle, who has been a trustee since 2005, earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Purdue in 1987 and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

The Emerging Urban Leaders Scholarship program is part of Access and Success. The scholarship campaign was launched in 2007 and provides funding for a variety of scholarships and student programs. To date, more than $100 million has been raised for the Access and Success campaign.

For more details, visit www.purdue.edu