One student’s a champion archer. The other has an interest in 3D printers and prosthetics.

Their commonality? Both are engineering students at West Virginia University, and each will receive a $25,000 scholarship annually from the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program.

Jeremiah Parsons, of Vienna, and Julie Peng, of Culloden, were honored for that achievement Monday at the West Virginia Capitol Complex by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

Parsons and Peng are two of the 100 students nationwide to receive the scholarship, intended to reward students who succeed inside and outside the classroom and may need financial assistance.

“This is wonderful news for Jeremiah and Julie, as well as West Virginia University, which has a tradition of providing our youth with the knowledge and skills to succeed,” Gov. Tomblin said. “I’m grateful the General Motors Foundation has recognized the importance of supporting our nation’s future leaders as they aspire to become the best in their fields of study.”

Parsons is right on target, in more ways than one, when it comes to a potentially successful future. The Parkersburg High School graduate has established himself throughout West Virginia as a skilled archer, earning back-to-back high school state championships and a four-year all-state team placement in archery. He’s currently a member of the WVU archery team and is coaching a junior Olympic archery team.

In the classroom, Parsons plans to major in computer engineering and minor in criminal justice.

“I feel very honored to receive this award,” Parsons said. “As one of thousands of people who applied, it is very humbling. This award will help me finish my degree at WVU and ultimately help secure our country working at the Department of Defense or National Security Agency.”

His parents are James Parsons and Stephanie Myers.

WVU’s second recipient, Peng, had already made a splash at the University before her first day of class this fall.

Peng was named one of WVU’s 2013 Foundation Scholars last spring, an award reserved for the best and brightest West Virginia high school seniors.

She had given 2,000 community service hours by the time she graduated from Hurricane High School, where she was president of the National Honor Society and secretary of the Student Council.

Now, at WVU, she is a member of the Society of Women Engineers, Engineers Without Borders and Campus Crusade for Christ. She is also secretary of the WVU Government and Politics Association.

Peng is pursuing a chemical engineering degree and hopes to attend medical school. Among her interests are 3D printers and prosthetics, combining the engineering and medical technology fields. She believes that she can create innovative medicines, and as a doctor be able to serve people, as well.

“Receiving this scholarship is truly a blessing and I could not feel more humbled to be a recipient,” she said.

“As I pursue my chemical engineering degree this scholarship opens vast opportunities to participate in service learning and community activities, and the ability to focus on earning summer internships. Most importantly when I am applying for positions in industry I will have experience in the field and be able to more efficiently benefit people worldwide.”

She is the daughter of Susan Peng.

The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program offers up to $25,000 per year for 100 first-time freshmen or existing college students, renewable up to four years and one additional year for those entering a qualified five-year engineering program. Consideration is given to first-generation, female, minority and military students.

“To have not one but two winners of the Buick Achievement Scholarship in the Statler College is recognition of the quality of our students,” said Gene Cilento, Glen H. Hiner Dean. “I congratulate Julie and Jeremiah on this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to following their achievements throughout their academic careers.”

-WVU-

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