Oglethorpe University named seniors Steven Nguyen and Shalin Scupham Presidential Scholars after they completed the James Edward Oglethorpe Scholarship Experience (JEOSE) on Jan. 25.

Presidential Scholars receive $15,500 dollars a year, and $62,000 over four years to cover tuition. 

JOESE chose 84 students from around the country to attend the competition.

They were asked to read an article about the scientific revolution and discuss it in front of faculty judges, then write an essay.

Later, students engaged in a second discussion on a topic of their choice.

At the end of the day, the faculty judged the oral discussions and essays and chose five full scholarship winners.

Initially, the second discussion appealed to Nguyen, who was allowed to choose the topic that appealed to him the most from a pre-determined list.

He chose to share his views on the pornography industry but was “disappointed” with his discussion partners.

“Why was I the only guy to choose the porn one?” Nguyen asked, “I was a little intimidated by the fact that everyone else in the room was female. I wasn’t very aggressive during the discussion, for fear of having everyone in the room turn on me.”

Though neither Nguyen nor Scuphan received the full scholarship, both enjoyed the day of activities.

“I met some really cool people,” Scupham said. “It was nice to be part of that group.”