Four Students Named Alice Hamilton Scholarship Winners at Taylor University

Pictured at top: Ava Smith, Micah Cameron, Zaji Marshall, and Ian Oatis

Four incoming freshman students enrolled for the 2023 fall semester have been awarded the inaugural Alice Hamilton Scholarship, an award that pays 100 percent of their tuition for all four years of their time at Taylor.

The four, Ava Smith of Noblesville, Indiana; Zaji Marshall of Carmel, Indiana; Micah Cameron of Menomonie, Wisconsin; and Ian Oatis of Newaygo, Michigan, were selected from a cohort of over 100 gifted and high-achieving high school students who came to the Taylor campus for its first annual Scholars Day last month.

Alice Hamilton, the scholarship’s namesake, attended the Fort Wayne College of Medicine (then a part of Taylor University) in 1890, prior to Taylor moving to Upland in 1893. Hamilton was a doctor, worker advocate, peace ambassador, and the first female professor at Harvard Medical School.

“Each of these young men and women have displayed the seriousness and passion with which they desire to pursue their studies and faith,” said Andy Gammons, Executive Director of Admissions at Taylor University. “We are thrilled to be entrusted with this next phase of their educational journeys and believe they each will make their own impact on our Taylor community. We are excited to have them join us in 2023.”

Ava Smith is the leader of her high school’s pro-life club and is a bold advocate for her Christian faith. As an English literature major, she hopes to pursue a career “advocating for those without voices of their own.” She has chosen Taylor University because “Taylor’s Christ-centered classes, professors, and student body, will be an opportunity for me to continue growing up in the Lord and strengthen me to step out into God’s plan for me. Taylor’s small and loving community will allow me to develop deep relationships that point me back to the Lord and can carry beyond the four years I will spend there.”

Zaji Marshall is pursuing a dream of becoming a computer engineer. During high school, she designed her own original video game because of her desire to show more character diversity. Zaji is homeschooled, likes to crochet, and has earned a black belt in taekwondo. She is also fluent in Chinese. When awarded this scholarship, she replied, “Like Alice Hamilton, I aspire to provide useful service to the world. Giving back to the community is something I look forward to once I launch my career as a woman in STEM.”

Micah Cameron has worked at his local Culver’s restaurant since he was 14 years old, where he learned how to handle stress, work through challenges, and be respectful to all. He’s found this to be a great place to act out his faith on a daily basis. At Taylor he wants to study environmental science or biology in hopes of learning more about the world that God created and develop a career where he can serve Him. He was drawn to Taylor’s discipleship community because of how the faculty integrate their faith with their academic disciplines.

Ian Oatis is an athlete who plays varsity soccer and golf, leads his school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization, serves in student government and National Honor Society, and plays keyboard in his church’s worship band. When his soccer coach told him about Taylor University and that he could get a degree in data science in a Christ-centered environment, he had to investigate it. He is excited to come to Taylor to grow academically, spiritually, and create relationships that impact the rest of his life.

About Taylor University 

For 176 years, Taylor University has combined rigorous academics with the Christian faith and remains the oldest nondenominational school in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). For nearly three decades, Taylor has been ranked a top Midwest College by U.S. News & World Report. The University’s graduation rate is the fourth highest nationally among peer institutions, and ninety-nine percent of Taylor’s graduates were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. With a strong legacy of service and global opportunities, Taylor also ranks sixth nationally for study abroad internships and travel opportunities.