4 incoming Pitt students are 2023 Stamps scholars

Four Pennsylvania high school seniors are among the winners of the 2023 Stamps Scholarship and will attend Pitt this fall with a leg up.  

“After a lengthy selection process, the four incoming Stamps scholars stood out for their desire to further understand and apply leadership from a domestic and global perspective, as well as their commitment to academic excellence and service to their communities,” said Ron Jankowski, director of operations for admissions in the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Founded in 2006, the Stamps Scholars Program partners with universities to support around 250 students each year who excel academically and are focused on leadership and community service. Along with covering tuition, room, board and fees, the scholarship provides $17,400 for students to take advantage of enrichment like study abroad activities and unpaid internships.

One of Pitt’s 2023 winners, Brendan White, was in full starfish makeup when he got the news — including star-shaped face sparkles and dyed hair.

“It was instant excitement. I’m over the moon,” said White, a Pittsburgh area native. “The scholarship lines up very much with what I’ve tried to focus myself on in high school, leadership and community service.”

White is active in student council, various service organizations, choir and musicals (thus the makeup: He played Patrick Star in a March performance of the musical “SpongeBob Squarepants”). Although he intends to major in mathematics at Pitt, White says he’s excited that the scholarship will afford him the time to explore his other interests.

“I’m hoping to double major, and I’ll have to opportunity to do research, study abroad and do internships,” said White. “I’m not sure what I want to do. But I feel very lucky to have the resources to know that I’m going to find out.”

Pictured above from left to right, the 2023 Stamps scholars are:

• Eliana Crew, Pottstown
• Megan Baker, Allison Park
• Brendan White, Pittsburgh
• Paige Frank, Sewickley

— Patrick Monahan, photo composite by Zachary Beresh