STEUBENVILLE, OH—Two high school seniors were awarded full-tuition academic scholarships for the duration of their studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Emily Wieszczek and Martin Wolk were selected from among 82 competitors from 31 states during the 12th annual Father Michael Scanlan Scholarship Competition held February 5 and 6.

Competitors in the prestigious invitation-only competition came from around the country and were drawn from Franciscan University’s top tier of academically qualified students admitted for fall 2015. The competition required students to write an essay, be interviewed by a panel of faculty, staff, and religious, and participate in a group activity.

Wieszczek, a Scotch Plains, New Jersey, native, plans to major in pre-nursing. She will graduate from Mother Seton Regional High School in the spring.

Wolk is from Salem, Conneticut, and will graduate from East Lyme High School. He plans to triple major in history, political science, and pre-law.

The competition is named in honor of President Emeritus Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, who served as president of Franciscan University for 26 years and was instrumental in revitalizing the school’s Catholic identity.

Franciscan University integrates excellent academic programs with a dynamic faith environment to serve over 2,400 students from all 50 states and 12 countries. It offers more than 40 undergraduate and eight graduate degree programs, the most popular of which include theology, nursing, catechetics, education, biology, and business.

Franciscan University has received a top-tier placement since 1998 in U.S. News & World Report‘s list of America’s Best Colleges. It is also featured in The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College, FORBES’ “America’s Top Colleges,” and in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine‘s top 100 “best values” in private higher education.