Miami welcomes Class of 2030 Presidential Fellows
22 exceptional students hail from hometowns in 12 states and two countries
Miami welcomes Class of 2030 Presidential Fellows
22 exceptional students hail from hometowns in 12 states and two countries
Miami University has selected 22 exceptional incoming students to receive the Presidential Fellows scholarship from the Honors College, the university’s premier opportunity for top scholars. The Class of 2030 Presidential Fellows come from across the United States and from Mongolia.
The Presidential Fellows scholarship offers a merit award to cover tuition, fees, housing, and meals. Scholars also receive a $5,000 academic enrichment stipend for activities such as study abroad, independent research, public service, and professional conferences.
As members of Miami’s residential Honors College, Presidential Fellows also enjoy faculty mentorship throughout their Miami education so they can be competitive candidates for prestigious national and international fellowships and scholarships.
"Each of these students have distinguished themselves throughout their high school careers by the quality of their curiosity, creativity, and commitment to academic excellence. They all now distinguish Miami through their decision to study here, as they had so many options for where to spend their college years,” Honors College dean Zeb Baker said.
“Their decisions further confirm Miami's increasing profile as a top-choice destination for high-ability students."
Dr. Renate Crawford, University Ambassador and adjunct professor of Physics, directs the Presidential Fellows program. “Each year, I am humbled by the accomplishments of Presidential Fellows Scholarship candidates,” she said. “To be selected for the award, students must demonstrate that they are both very strong academically and eager to embrace the opportunities they’ll have at Miami, where they will be challenged to surpass expectations, collaborate with faculty and peers on a journey of discovery, and contribute to the greater good in whatever disciplines they choose.”
Bethany Perkins, assistant vice president of admission, said, “Each of these students has unlimited potential, and they are joining a community of scholars who support and challenge one another to excel. Just as importantly, they are surrounding themselves with people of strong character and integrity — a cohort of good citizens who will be there for each other as they explore their interests and prepare for their futures.”
Miami’s Honors College was ranked No. 5 in the 50 Best Honors Colleges for 2026 by College Transitions.
The Class of 2030 Presidential Fellows are:
- David Brophy from Clarence Center, New York: Diplomacy and Global politics major
- Emerson Calle from Moorpark, California; Biology major and Premedical and Pre-Health Studies co-major
- Ava Chismar from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; Music Performance: Vocal major
- Audrey Chiu from Princeton, New Jersey; Biochemistry major and Neuroscience co-major
- Connor D’Amico from Lancaster, Ohio; Music Education: Instrumental major and Arts Management co-major
- Delaney Darnes from Waldorf, Maryland; Kinesiology major and Neuroscience co-major
- Nora Garland from Norfolk, Massachusetts; Marketing major
- Ella Guerra from Ballwin, Missouri; Business-Economics major
- Truman Heames from Lakeland, Tennessee; Mechanical Engineering major and Entrepreneurship co-major
- Taylor Hudson from Henrico, Virginia; Nutrition major (Food and Nutrition for Pre-Health Professionals concentration) and Premedical and Pre-Health Studies co-major
- Oren Hurwitz from North Potomac, Maryland; Public Health Promotion major and Entrepreneurship co-major
- Madelyn Manley from Brecksville, Ohio; Biomedical Engineering major
- Jonathan Moore from Lexington, Kentucky; Biochemistry major and Premedical and Pre-health Studies co-major
- Lkhagvasuren Olonbayar from Bayankhongor, Bayankho Mongolia; Social Studies Education major and Entrepreneurship co-major
- John Reed from Cleveland, Ohio; International Studies major and Neuroscience co-major
- Rory Rohde from Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Business-Economics major
- Matthew Rueff from Lexington, Kentucky; Mechanical Engineering major
- Jack Schuman from Marietta, Georgia; Exploratory Studies major and Entrepreneurship co-major
- Shivathara Shyam from Lebanon, Ohio; Political Science major
- Sophie Wei from Parker, Colorado; Marketing major
- Katherine Whitmore from Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Music Performance: Instrumental major and Entrepreneurship co-major
- Grayer Williams from Loveland, Ohio; Nursing major
