Lincoln Award to Lindenhurst teen

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Sierra Slade of Lindenhurst was awarded a $250,000 scholarship to Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: August 10, 2011 12:15AM

Lindenhurst resident Sierra Slade will study neuroscience at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., this fall, a task made easier thanks to a full scholarship to the small, but very expensive, school.

The 18-year-old graduate of Carmel High School found the small liberal arts school during her college search. “I liked it. It’s small and most people in the Midwest have never heard of it,” but it fit the bill for her unique area of study.

Trinity College looks like a traditional New England liberal arts school, but it boasts one of the most comprehensive neuroscience programs in the country.

She plans to study neuroscience, which is the study of the nervous system and the brain. “I can go in a lot of different directions with this area, including medicine or surgery, psychology or psychiatry and research. I never had opportunity to study this area in high school, so I am not sure where it will take me.”

Slade is following in the footsteps of her science-oriented family. Brother Jake, 23, graduated last spring with a degree in environmental science from Northland College in Ashland, Wis. Brother Zack, 22, is a student at Valparaiso University in Indiana, studying computer engineering. Dad Russ is at Abbott, overseeing the manufacture of drugs. Mom Maureen works at Millburn School Library.

Slade knew she was facing some steep college loans to attend Trinity, despite a college fund that would partially cover the tuition. But that all changed when contacted by Scholarships for Illinois Residents, an alumni foundation affiliated with the college. “I met with a representative of the foundation at a restaurant and right then and there he presented me with a check. I looked at the amount and almost fell on the floor, but I was in a public place and couldn’t show what I was really feeling.”

Slade had been awarded the “Lincoln Award,” a full scholarship to Trinity for an Illinois resident who demonstrates exceptional achievement and potential. The four-year scholarship covers all costs for tuition, fees, room, board, and a book allowance totaling $55,750 annually. Slade is also eligible for a summer internship program valued at an additional $5,000.

Chicago lawyer Robert Kehoe Jr. is president of the alumni group, started with funds from wealthy industrialist Walter Murphy, who also gave a large gift to Northwestern University. For the last 60 years, the group has been sending Illinois students to Trinity. “The school emphasizes excellence and our scholarship reflects that,” said Kehoe, a 1969 graduate.

Slade was the only recipient this year. “She is an exceptional student. She is extremely talented and well rounded. She not only demonstrates exceptional skills in science and Latin and history, she is also a musician and a leader. She shines in several different areas.”

“I never expected this much money,” said Slade. “I knew that the scholarship might help with my costs, but didn’t know it was a full ride. I was in shock. My parents were in shock, but my mom jumped up and down.”

The scholarship now opens up the doors to graduate school. “Now I know that money saved for undergrad education can be put toward grad school. That gives me a lot more confidence to know I won’t have to deal with heavy student debt. It’s a huge relief. There will be more things I can do, such as study abroad.”

The life-long Lindenhurst resident attended Millburn School through sixth grade, then went to Millburn West for seventh and eighth, then chose to attend Carmel for her high school career.

She wanted to attend Carmel after her two older brothers had a good high school experience there. “It is a college prep school with a good sense of community.”

She’s also participated in music, wind ensemble and played French horn in high school. An active Girl Scout, she is interested in the outdoors, and two years ago joined Venture Crew 87, and this year is president of the local 18-member group for older teens up to age 21. This week she leaves with her crew to spend a week on a sailing ship off the coast of Florida.