Warrensburg Students Named Finalists for UCM Provost Excellence Scholarship
Saul Logan and Amir Ramos, of Warrensburg, were named two of seven finalists for the University of Central Missouri’s first-ever Provost Excellence Scholarship.
The Provost Excellence Scholarship is UCM’s top financial award, offering recipients up to $16,000 to support their educational journeys at the university. Renewable each year for up to four years, this scholarship rewards a high-achieving student who demonstrates excellence in all aspects of their life.
The other finalists were Mackenzie Farkes, of Lenexa, Kansas; Alex Houghtlin, of Shawnee, Kansas; Julie Merritt, of Wentzville; Gibson Nichol, of Lone Jack; and scholarship recipient Eliza Thomas, of Jefferson City.
While only one Provost Excellence Scholar is named at the yearly scholarship event, all finalists qualify for a full tuition and fee Red and Black Scholarship. All applicants also receive additional scholarship consideration, as 94% of UCM undergraduates receive financial aid.
"During this first year of offering the Provost Excellence Scholarship, we loved meeting a bunch of wonderful students with amazing stories and bright futures ahead of them,” said Chris Lang, assistant vice provost for Admissions, Analytics and Financial Aid. “Our team loved working through each student's application and learning more about what each of these students has done. Narrowing down the applicant list to our seven wonderful finalists was difficult, and all of our finalists embody everything that UCM stands for. Each one has an impressive academic resume with lots of involvement. I'm excited to see what these students will bring to our campus."
Logan, a Warrensburg High School senior, plans to major in Mathematics. He is the son of William Logan and Melanie Logan.
Logan’s high school involvement includes band co-section leader, Scholar Bowl co-captain, Science Olympiad co-captain, speech and debate, track and field, cross country, reader’s theatre, National Honor Society and Eco Club. In the community, Logan co-founded Project Pink, an organization that donates feminine products. He is also involved in youth group and volunteers at the high school concession stands.
He’s unsure of his exact career path, but he’s taken inspiration from his parents, both UCM alumni, and wants to make a difference with whatever career he eventually chooses.
“My dad always taught me growing up to do the right thing and that's kind of where my answer is for wanting to make a difference in the world,” Logan said. “I think that every action should be made with the intention of benefiting another in some sort of way. It might not be direct, but indirectly.”
Ramos, a WHS senior, plans to major in Kinesiology – Pre-Physical Therapy. He is the son of Anna Ramos and Alan Ramos.
Ramos’ high school involvement includes show choir, track and field, Ecology Club vice president, National Honor Society, Spanish Club media manager and Chess Club cabinet member. In the community, Ramos is involved with the Western Missouri Medical Center job shadow program and his church’s worship team and youth ministry.
“I think the reason why I try so many things is because I have that mindset that you only live once,” Ramos said. “So I want to try as much as I can because I have this philosophy, don't bash it until you try it. So I want to try everything at least once.”
Ramos also takes inspiration from his parents, who he said are examples of service before self.
“My dad was a medic in the Air Force. I think he enlisted when he was straight out of high school and then he went back to college to be a nurse here at UCM,” Ramos said. “I thought, ‘wow, my dad, he served the country, and he also served others’ and it kind of modeled my path. I want to serve my country and serve others as well. Nursing wasn't for me, but exercising and physical therapy was, and I decided I wanted to do that in my way.”
Applicants must have a high school or college GPA of 3.85 or higher and are required to submit an application and a two-to-three-minute video submission answering this prompt: “What life experience has made you who you are today, and what impact would a UCM degree have on your life?”
Finalists attended a unique campus experience on Nov. 15-16, which included a campus tour, academic meetings with faculty and college deans, interviews with the UCM News Bureau, attending a class for their expected major, and completing a formal interview with the scholarship selection committee. The students also attended a dinner hosted by UCM President Roger Best and First Lady Robin Best.
The weekend concluded with students and their families watching Mules Football defeat Missouri Southern on Saturday, where the scholarship award winner was announced during the game.
For more information about the UCM Office of Admissions, visit ucmo.edu/admissions.
PHOTO CUTLINE 1: Saul Logan, of Warrensburg, was a finalist for the University of Central Missouri’s 2024 Provost Excellence Scholarship.
PHOTO CUTLINE 2: Amir Ramos, of Warrensburg, was a finalist for the University of Central Missouri’s 2024 Provost Excellence Scholarship.
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