OHIO announces Cutler Scholars for class of 2024

Ohio University’s Cutler Scholars Program has selected 16 community-engaged leaders for the class of 2024. The incoming Scholars have been accepted into six of Ohio University’s colleges, with majors ranging from dance to biochemistry to journalism.

One of Ohio University’s outstanding scholarship programs, the Cutler Scholars Program provides financial support, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities to help scholars develop into leaders for the common good. They are driven to use their academic training to make a positive impact in their community and abroad. The incoming class was selected based on not only their academic history, but their leadership experiences, engagement within their community, and overall character. 

During their time in the program, Cutler Scholars live together, participate in a weekly colloquium, and take part in four enrichment experiences, including an outdoor leadership experience, public service internship, international experience, and career-related internship. In addition, students receive a significant academic scholarship and annual stipend to support their enrichment experiences.

The Cutler Scholars in the Class of 2024 are:

• Melanie Ahmetspahic, Lizabeth K. and Charles R. Emrick, Jr. Cutler Scholar, Rocky River High School
• Emma Bhatt, Claire O. and Charles J. Ping Cutler Scholar Award, Upper Arlington High School 
• Hosea Bickley, J. Warren McClure & Stephen H. Fuller Cutler Scholar Award, Athens High School
• Anna Crabtree, Russ Legacy Cutler Scholar, Alexander High School
• Halina Dreger, Wilfred R. and Ann Lee Konneker Cutler Scholar, Lakewood High School
• Natalie Drotleff, Jack G. and Sue Mathis Ellis Cutler Scholar, Chillicothe High School
• Orlando Gonzalez, James E. Daley Cutler Scholar, Asbury Park High School
• Rhyan Goodman, Henry W. and Edith Pattison Cutler Scholar, Madison Plains High School
• Katie Hall, Herbert and Dorothy Adler Cutler Scholar, Highlands High School
• MacKenzie Kay, Wilfred R. Konneker Cutler Scholar, McClain High School
• Gavin Morgan, Leona and Lewis Hughes Cutler Scholar, Oak Hill High School
• Nicholas Pittman, Dr. James H. and Nellie Rowley Jewell Cutler Scholar, Vinton County High School
• Sophie Sova, Ann Lee Hancock Konneker Cutler Scholar, Olean High School
• Joaquin Vigo-Alejandro, Russ Legacy Cutler Scholar, Walnut Hills High School
• Mia Walsh, David C. and Joan Herrold Wood Cutler Scholar, Tallmadge High School
• Alotus Wei, T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Culter Scholar, Shawnee Senior High School

Please click here to view the biographies of the scholars listed above. 

The Cutler Scholars Program began in the mid-1990s as a discussion between alumnus Wilfred R. Konneker and Jack G. Ellis, at that time the University’s vice president for development, about recruiting high-achieving students to Ohio University. Soon after, then-Ohio University President Charles J. Ping joined their discussions, which progressed into the creation of the Cutler Scholars Program, named for the Rev. Manasseh Cutler, co-founder of Ohio University. Students received the first Cutler Scholar awards in the 1996-97 academic year. 

Since then, 169 students have graduated as Cutler Scholars and have gone on to become industry leaders and world changers in business, community engagement, medical research, and education.

For more information on the Cutler Scholars Program, visit www.ohio.edu/cutler.