Duke Announces University Merit Scholarships for 50 Members of the Class of 2028

Campus fromt he air.
Image courtesy of University Marketing & Communications.

Fifty incoming students from Duke University’s Class of 2028 have been awarded merit scholarships.

Duke’s Office of University Scholars and Fellows (OUSF) merit scholarships are designed to enable students to fully realize their intellectual ambitions, individual talents, and specific interests.

The scholarships cover the full cost of tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees for four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study. In addition, scholars have access to funding for enrichment activities, which they may use to conduct research; present at or attend professional conferences; and participate in international learning experiences both during the summer and academic year.

“We are pleased to welcome a new cohort of merit scholars. This diverse group of scholars illuminate Duke's values. We look forward to watching them move through their paths, anticipating their achievements at Duke and beyond,” said Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Candis Watts Smith.

“These scholarships, funded by generous philanthropic contributions, ensure that these scholars are financially supported and able to thrive, build relationships, engage in communities, and have enriching experiences over the next four years.

“Still more, it takes a village to help all Duke students, including our merit scholars, to have transformational experiences at Duke. I am thankful for the committed faculty directors and the dedicated team members with the Office of Undergraduate Education and the Office of University Scholars and Fellows who help our merit scholars bring this vision into fruition.” 

Each individual scholarship program has a dedicated faculty or staff director who provides mentorship, guidance, and activities throughout the scholar’s career at Duke. In addition, the OUSF staff offers programming for all scholars to learn and engage with each other, cultivating a strong network of merit scholars at Duke. 

For more information on individual scholarships, visit the Office of University Scholars and Fellows.

Duke’s Class of 2028 merit scholar recipients are:

ALUMNI ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Yue Jiang, faculty director and Carole LeVine, co-director

  • Alexis Golart: Yorktown, Virginia; Tabb High School
  • Laura Houghton: Newark, Delaware; Newark Charter Junior/Senior High School

ANGIER B. DUKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Mark Goodacre, faculty director

  • Yash Dagade: Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Eden Prairie High School
  • Trevor Darr: Virginia Beach, Virginia; Princess Anne High School
  • Carter Davis: Clayton, Missouri; Clayton High School
  • Anika Dugal: Matawan, New Jersey; Old Bridge High School
  • Siddharth Kini: Cary, North Carolina; Green Level High School
  • Grace Marquez: Irving, Texas; Macarthur High School
  • Fiona Ojugbelli: Syracuse, New York; Christian Brothers Academy
  • Janie Qing: Yorktown, Virginia; Tabb High School
  • Jae Hee (Jane) Shin: Cary, North Carolina; North Carolina School of Science and Math
  • Elisa Torres Durney: Valparaiso, Chile; Colegio Champangnat
  • Evan Valenzuela: Oak Hill, Virginia; Flint Hill School
  • Srilakshmi Venkatesan: Hopkinton, Massachusetts; Hopkinton High School 
  • Tessa Weaver: Jersey City, New Jersey; McNair Academic High School
  • Emily Zheng: San Diego, California; Canyon Crest Academy

BENJAMIN N. DUKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

 Ken Rogerson, faculty director

  • Jerome Butler III: Gastonia, North Carolina; Highlands School of Technology
  • Luke Davis: Cayce, South Carolina; South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools
  • Annie Eilers: Charlotte, North Carolina; Providence High School
  • Cooper Herrett: Wilmington, North Carolina; Cape Fear Academy
  • Shreya Karumuri: Cornelius, North Carolina; William Amos Hough High School
  • Chase Locascio: Asheville, North Carolina; Carolina Day School
  • Lane Miller: West Jefferson, North Carolina; Ashe County High School
  • Garrett Simons: Hilton Head, South Carolina; Hilton Head Island High School
  • Rosie Smolowitz: Charlotte, North Carolina; Myers Park High School
  • Emerson Wiseman: North Charleston, South Carolina; Academic Magnet High School

KARSH INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

Giovanni Zanalda, faculty director

  • Precious Adesida: London, England; Gunnersbury Catholic School
  • Haider Ahmed: Lahore, Pakistan; Kaizen High School
  • Giac (Jack) Do: Danang, Vietnam; Saint Joseph’s Institution International School
  • Ebony Kalin: Hawera, New Zealand; Te Paepae o Aotea
  • Shawn Kiboi: Nairobi, Kenya; Starehe Boy’s Centre and School
  • Tsvetelina Milkova: Ruse, Bulgaria; United World College of the Adriatic
  • Kevin Mokaya: Kikuyu, Kenya; Alliance High School
  • Zulaa Mungunsukh: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Sant School
  • Ngima Muraguri: Nairobi, Kenya; Braeburn International School Arusha
  • Alexander Stiuart: Moscow, Russia; GBOU School No. 1296 of Moscow
  • Rashmi Thapa: Greaker, Norway; Greaker Videregaende Skole

TRINITY SCHOLARSHIPS

Yue Jiang, faculty director and Carole LeVine, co-director

  • Ava Betanco-Born: Pfafftown, North Carolina; Ronald Wilson High School
  • Sophia Byrd: Lexington, North Carolina; North Davidson High School
  • Jonathan Odom, Jr.: High Point, North Carolina; Munich International School
  • Alexa Reid: Greensboro, North Carolina; The Early College of Guilford County
  • Anna Vannoy: Greensboro, North Carolina; Walter Hines Page High School

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Victoria Lodewick, director

  • William Brown: Lexington, Kentucky; Henry Clay High School
  • Sofia Cagina: Tucson, Arizona; Canyon del Oro High School
  • Linda Garziera: North Charleston, South Carolina; Charleston County School of the Arts
  • Michelle Giffoni-Albor: Orlando, Florida; Lake Nona High School
  • Sia Maredia: Spring, Texas; Klein Oak High School
  • Anna Ortwein: Esslingen am Neckar, Germany; Morike-Gymnasium
  • Maria Torres: Harmony, Florida; Harmony High School
  • Claire Ziemba: Celebration, Florida; Celebration High School