The Park Scholarships program has selected 112 Finalists for the Class of 2027. On Jan. 7, members of the Park Scholarships Selection Committee, which includes more than 250 NC State alumni and friends, interviewed 450 Park Scholarships Semifinalists selected from over 3,400 applicants. Finalists were selected for their accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service and character.
Finalists are invited to NC State on Feb. 17-18 to participate in Final Selection Activities. These activities include individual interviews, group discussion tasks, and panels with faculty, students and alumni. Finalists and their guests also attend a reception with Chancellor Randy Woodson and other university leaders. This year, the keynote speaker will be Congresswoman Deborah Ross.
All Finalists who participate in Final Selection Activities and enroll at NC State are guaranteed a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500 per year for four years.)
This year’s Finalists represent 17 U.S. states and 36 North Carolina counties. Among them are student government leaders, varsity athletes, Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold Award recipients. They include published researchers and yearbook editors. They are presidents and vice presidents, tutors, app developers, coaches, mentors, activists, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, film makers, musicians and artists. Finalists include founders of nonprofits to raise money for cancer research and limit the use of plastic, virtual online tutoring services, clubs, robotics teams and leadership groups.
Finalist biographies, listed by state and county, are available via PDF: https://go.ncsu.edu/finalistsclassof2027
Since 1996, the Park Scholarships program has brought more than 1,200 exceptional students to NC State based on outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service and character. The program develops and supports Park Scholars in these areas, preparing them for lifelong contributions to the university, state, nation and world. The scholarship includes tuition and fees, room and board, enrichment activities, and additional expenses.
Park Scholarships is named for the late Roy H. Park ’31, an NC State alumnus who created the charitable Park Foundation, dedicated to education, media and the environment. Approximately 40 scholarships will be awarded this year to outstanding high school seniors for undergraduate study in any discipline at NC State.