East Tennessee State University has announced the newest members of the Roan Scholars Leadership Program. One of the newest Scholars would be Erika Love Wild from Parrottsville, the daughter of Mr. Craig and Dr. Teresa Wild, and sister Brittany Wild.

Wild went through a rigorous three-step selection process. In Step One, a screening panel reviews all nomination packets to ensure that applications are complete and the eligibility requirements are met.

Step Two involves Regional Sectional Committees whose members have been chosen because they exhibit the same qualities and characteristics, which are being sought in Roan Scholar nominees. Regional Selection Committees evaluate credentials, interview each eligible nominee, and select regional finalists from their applicant pool.

In Step Three, the finalists will be invited to the ETSU campus for a formal interview with the Roan Scholars Steering Committee. Appointed by our President, the Steering Committee is the oversight group for the Roan Scholars Leadership Program.  The student characteristics that the Scholarship Program found in Erika were a leader; someone respected and admired in high school by faculty and peers alike; someone others turn to when a difficult task must be accomplished.

Selection is made on the basis of character, leadership, scholarship, and physical activity. Successful candidates need not be the students with the highest grade point average in the school, since nominations for the scholarship are based solely on ability and reflect well-rounded students with the highest potential. Financial need is not a factor.

Wild is the second Scholar named from Cocke County. She joins Emily Eisenhower at East Tennessee State University, who was selected last year.

The founder of the Roan Scholars Leadership Program Mr. Louis H. Gump wanted the Scholars to demonstrate leadership, character, intellectual curiosity, and physical vigor. The purpose of the Roan Scholars Leadership Program is to provide extraordinary leadership development opportunities, with the goal of building future community leaders.

In addition to the regular academic curriculum for the career path the Scholars choose to pursue, a dynamic leadership curriculum will enrich their experience and provide the opportunity to further develop the leadership talents they have already begun to exhibit. Program activities cover a variety of topics, begin prior to the new Scholars' enrollment, and take students to many exciting places. Emphasis in on skill building, enhancement of their academic pursuits, as well as networking and forming lasting relationships among their peers, as well as community leaders.

Wild will take part in this vigorous program, and will receive full tuition, room and board, and book allowance. In addition, the Higher Education Division of Dell Computer Corp. provides a new laptop computer and printer to each incoming scholar. Erika intends to enroll in the pre-medicine program after graduating from East Tennessee State University, and pursue a career in medicine with ambition to specialize in the field of dermatology.