Six incoming Middle Tennessee State University students have been selected to receive the SouthEast Bank Scholars award for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The scholarship will provide each student with $5,000 annually to offset the cost of tuition and assist in accomplishing academic and personal goals.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, left, admires a ceremonial $30,00 check from East Tennessee-based SouthEast Bank delivered to the university Oct. 29 by Edsouth Chairman Ron Gambill and SouthEast Bank Scholarship Director Tommy Schumpert. The scholarship award for the 2013-14 academic year will fund six students with $5,000 annually to offset the cost of tuition and assist in accomplishing academic and personal goals. (MTSU photo by News and Media Relations)

“SouthEast Bank is proud to support MTSU in awarding scholarships that help keep our future leaders right here in Tennessee,” SouthEast Bank President Monty Montgomery said. “We are a true community bank operated by local employees who live and work alongside the people we serve, and we are committed to using our resources to reinvest in our schools, organizations, and neighborhoods.

“Through the SouthEast Bank Scholars program, we fulfill this mission by rewarding outstanding students who demonstrate a combination of academic excellence, community service, and financial need with the opportunity to reach their greatest potential through higher education.”

Edsouth Chairman Ron Gambill and SouthEast Bank Scholarship Director Tommy Schumpert visited campus Tuesday, Oct. 29, to present MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee with a ceremonial check funding the scholarships from the East Tennessee-based banking company.

“The university sincerely appreciates SouthEast Bank’s financial support for some of our best and brightest incoming students,” McPhee said. “Such support can be critical in helping some of our students reach their goal of getting a college degree.”

Recipients of the SouthEast Bank Scholars award include a prestigious group of incoming students from Tennessee chosen by participating post-secondary institutions for their exceptional character and academic commitment.

In addition to meeting the minimum criteria of achieving a 3.25 high school grade point average or a 23 ACT score, students who are awarded this scholarship have also demonstrated financial need and community involvement.

SouthEast Bank, with total assets in excess of $500 million, operates full service banking offices throughout the regions of East and Middle Tennessee. To learn more about the bank, please visit www.southeastbank.com.

To learn more about MTSU scholarships, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/scholarships/. The deadline for incoming freshmen is Dec. 1.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)