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GSSM Senior Named Carolina Scholar at University of South Carolina Honors College

April 2, 2008

Hannah Van Patten, a senior at the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM), recently was named a Carolina Scholar at the University of South Carolina Honors College in Columbia.

The award, given annually to 25 rising college freshmen from across the state, has a monetary value of $40,000 ($10,000 for four years.) Van Patten, of Columbia, is the daughter of Henry and Maribeth Van Patten. She attended A.C. Flora High School prior to her acceptance to GSSM.

Van Patten plans to major in biology, history or anthropology, with the goal of entering the field of medicine. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, basketball, soccer and sketching, as well as playing the oboe.

Students with a strong academic record that show leadership characteristics in both their high school and community are encouraged to apply for the Carolina Scholars award program. Fifty Carolina Scholars finalists are chosen; of those finalists, 25 students are selected for the Carolina Scholars award.  Typical candidates have excellent grades on a strong high-school curriculum and present average SAT scores over 1300 on critical reading and math sections combined (or ACT composite score of 29.) 

A continuing goal of the Carolina Scholars program is to create a community of scholars with a united and visible identity. First-year scholars participate in a leadership retreat, creating bonds and developing skills that will last a lifetime. In addition, through the First-Year Mentor Program, freshman scholars meet regularly with a distinguished faculty member for discussion and advice. Each fall and spring semester, special formal events bring the scholars together.

For more information on the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, please contact Jacqulyne Pouncey at the GSSM Foundation.