Coleman Davis '18 a Finalist for Park Scholarship
Four-year scholarship from N.C. State University valued at $110,000
Jim Valvano running around and looking for someone to hug following N.C. State's 1983 national-championship win will forever be some of the most-replayed footage in college basketball history.
Coleman Davis '18 has something in common with the former Wolfpack coach. Coleman reacted with the same kind of euphoria upon learning that he was one of only 112 worldwide finalists for N.C. State's Park Scholarship.
"I was eating dinner with my aunt and uncle, and a notification popped up on my phone telling me that Park finalists had been announced," Coleman said. "So I checked, and I had gotten it. My jaw just about hit the ground. I asked to go outside, and subsequently started jumping up and down. Then, I called my mom, who also started cheering. She told my dad and my sister, both of whom were also very excited, especially my dad since he is an N.C. State grad."
The Park is a four-year scholarship awarded on the basis of outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. It is valued at $110,000 for in-state students such as Coleman and covers tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, and personal expenses.
In addition, grants are available to Park Scholars that cover professional and personal enrichment experiences such as research projects, service activities, and conferences.
Coleman would be able to register early for his courses as he pursues a degree in potential majors such as Biomedical Engineering or Biological Sciences.
Coleman is from Swan Quarter, a small town in eastern North Carolina. During his time at Christ School, he has been a dorm proctor and involved in the musical outreach group "Notes from the Soul," as well as the Chess Club and math modeling team.
Coleman won a Citizen Science Award from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in August. Not only that, he was given a pin to recognize more than 500 hours of work that Coleman has put into the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge since 2011.
Final Selection Activities for the Park Scholarship are February 16 and 17 in Raleigh. Candidates will be evaluated through an interview and a group discussion. They will be given a chance to meet current Park Scholars and alumni in addition to N.C. State administrators and faculty.
"At that moment when I calmed down, I began to think how much of an honor it is to be a Park finalist, and how much of an opportunity the Finalist Weekend will be," Coleman said. "The interviewers for the finalists told me all about the Park and they made me that much more convinced that the Park would be an amazing scholarship to receive."
