Seton Hill University surprised Rachel Hursen with a full scholarship for four years through the University’s Division of Humanities on Monday, February 1. Hursen, of Pittsburgh,Pa., is the daughter of Thomas and Martha Hursen. She plans to major in journalism at Seton Hill.

In 2007, Seton Hill University created the Seton Scholars Program to recognize outstanding academic achievement by incoming freshmen in the traditional undergraduate program at Seton Hill. Seton Scholars receive full tuition scholarships that are renewable for four years of study at Seton Hill and are valued at more than $100,000 each. Scholarships are awarded annually by each of the University’s academic divisions: Humanities, Visual and Performing Arts, Natural and Health Sciences, and Social Sciences. For the 2010-2011 academic year, Seton Hill will award eight full-tuition scholarships, two from each academic division.

Students selected as a Seton Scholar in Seton Hill’s Division of Humanities must meet the following criteria: 1350 or higher combined SAT score, high school grade point average of 3.7 or higher, honors or Advanced Placement coursework pertinent to the major, demonstration of leadership or community service, a letter of recommendation that addresses the student’s ability to excel in the field of study, and an essay written by the student describing his/her decision to major in the field chosen. Majors in this division include communication, English, history, journalism/new media, international studies, political science, religious studies/theology, and Spanish.