Mars Hill University Announces Inaugural Blackwell Scholars

May 21, 2021

Mars Hill University announces nine students who will make up the inaugural class of Blackwell Scholars. The Blackwell Scholarship is an academic and merit based award which recognizes students who are involved in leadership and citizenship activities in their high schools, and want to continue in those types of roles at Mars Hill University.

Along with a significant financial award, Blackwell Scholars will work with on-campus mentors to help them develop leadership skills, broaden connections on campus, and engage in important events and projects on- and off-campus. The mentors for the 2021-2022 academic year are Amanda Knapp, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry; and Monica Gordy Polizzi, assistant athletic director and senior woman administrator for MHU athletics.

The inaugural Blackwell Scholars (with hometown and expected academic major) are:

• Brandon Edward Bailes – Gibsonville, North Carolina, criminal justice
• Bruno Barrera-Hernandez – Spindale, North Carolina, history
• Samuel Reilly Evans – Bostic North Carolina, undecided
• Haley Nicole Hargus – Zirconia, North Carolina, chemistry
• John Albert Jackson II – Kernersville, North Carolina, computer science
• Lexis Makendal Lusk – Leicester, North Carolina, integrated education
• Camryn Jeannette Miller – Sandy, Utah, integrated health sciences
• Jarib Jachin Pott – Weaverville, North Carolina, computer science
• Caroline M. Rizzo – Flagler Beach, Florida, political science