Two high school graduates with a natural initiative to lead
join the campus with a prestigious award
TACOMA, Wash. – Andres Chavez, of Long Beach, Calif., and Douglas Palmer, of Niwot, Colo., have been named Matelich Scholars, honoring them with University of Puget Sound’s most esteemed award for students who combine extraordinary promise in academics and leadership.
The two freshmen impressed the awards committee with their innovative efforts to inspire and lead other young people, and with the excellence they demonstrated in their studies and diverse personal pursuits. The Matelich Scholarship, which covers all tuition and fees, including room and board, for up to four years, is awarded to students who exhibit exceptional drive and integrity, promise for outstanding academic and personal achievement, a commitment to service, and the capacity for a life of leadership.
The highly competitive scholarship is funded by a generous gift from George E. Matelich ’78 and Susan E. Matelich to Puget Sound’s $125 million One [of a Kind] comprehensive campaign.
Finalists for the Matelich Scholarship are selected from a pool of about 5,500 applicants to Puget Sound. Chavez and Palmer will become part of a cohort of six Matelich Scholars named since the program began making awards in 2012.
Andres Chavez attended Robert A. Millikan High School in Long Beach, where he led successful efforts to create an organization called The Mastermind, which works with students across the school to spread a message of unity, positivity, and self-improvement. While subsequently attending Long Beach College Preparatory Academy, he volunteered with the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System hospital in the radiology department. He also interned at The Children’s Clinic in Long Beach.
At his high school Chavez was captain of the wrestling team, president of the Adventure Club, and a member of Model United Nations. The first in his family to attend college, he has plans to pursue a career in radiology.
In his scholarship essay Chavez noted that, “We all have different journeys, and we all take different paths, but true leaders are able to recognize the importance of cooperation. Ideas become exponentially powerful, as minds are brought together.”
Palmer attended Silver Creek High School in Longmont, Colo. He worked actively with the United Methodist Church in his role as a member of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM). He led efforts to put on youth conferences and weekend retreats for hundreds of young people across Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. He also helped to develop and support youth ministries in churches across that region.
Palmer notes that, “While moving up through the ranks, I have inspired the CCYM to dream about new ways we could accomplish our ministry goals. I have dyed my hair hot pink to raise money, recruited a world champion unicyclist to a keynote event, and have developed relationships with other committees to help our church work better.”
At his school Palmer played football and swam. He was also the low-brass section leader for two years. He was an ambassador for Silver Creek Leadership Academy, which works to build strong relationships between the school and the community. A triplet with two college-going siblings, Palmer will be joining Puget Sound’s Business Leadership Program and the Honors Program.
About the Matelich Scholar Program
The Matelich Scholar Program was established in 2010 through the generosity of George E. Matelich ’78 and Susan E. Matelich, who wish to provide future generations of students with the opportunity to pursue a life-changing Puget Sound education. Both were the first members of their families to graduate from a four-year college. George Matelich is a managing director of Kelso & Company, chair of the American Prairie Reserve, a member of Stanford Graduate School of Business Advisory Council, and a trustee emeritus at University of Puget Sound. Susan Matelich serves as a member of the American Prairie Reserve Board of Directors and as treasurer and emergency medical technician for the Town of Mamaroneck/Larchmont Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Two Matelich Scholars are selected each year from the incoming freshman class.
For information about eligibility for the Matelich Scholar program, contact the Office of Admission at 800.396.7191 or visit www.pugetsound.edu/scholarships.
Photos on page: Top right: Wyatt Hall foyer, by Ross Mulhausen; Above left: Andres Chavez in Peru; Above right: Douglas Palmer delivers a speech (courtesy photos).
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