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The University of West Florida welcomed two National Merit Finalists this fall semester, bringing the recipients of this scholarship to 18 students since 2017. John David McCrory and Collin McDonald are among the approximately 16,000 students across the country who met the requirements for Finalist standing out of an estimated 1.3 million participating high school students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship competition.
The National Merit Finalists earn UWF’s top scholarship with a total value of more than $50,000, including full tuition, room and board; an $800-per-semester book stipend and a research or study abroad experience.
“We are excited to welcome this new class of top scholars as they begin their academic journey at the university level,” said UWF Interim President Manny Diaz Jr. “UWF continues to attract outstanding students and provide the resources they need to excel so they are positioned for success in their future careers.”
John David McCrory, a biochemistry major from Lafayette, Louisiana, chose UWF for its impactful classroom practices, career opportunities and communicative staff that has made the transition from high school to college a seamless experience.
“The opportunities that UWF offers National Merit Finalists are among the best in the country,” McCrory said. “UWF provides small classes where professors genuinely care about my success. UWF allows its undergraduate students to conduct research as early as their freshman year. UWF’s generous scholarship enables me to maximize my college experience without worrying about expenses. I plan to enter the medical field, and UWF’s connections with companies like the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics will give me a competitive edge when applying for medical school or a job. UWF’s staff has been wonderful in answering my questions and ensuring that my transition to college is as smooth as possible. I’m honored to be an Argo.”
Collin McDonald, an electrical engineering major from Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, was impressed with the dedication of the staff at UWF for being timely and dedicated to his needs as he began preparing for college. McDonald says he is grateful to have the opportunity for his hard work and dedication to be recognized and is excited to begin his journey as an Argo.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that I have been given by UWF to further my education without having to worry as much about my financial situation,” McDonald said. “As a student who put a lot of effort into my studies over the years, it is nice to have my academic achievements be recognized and see that the hours of dedication paid off. I have been pleasantly surprised by how easy it has been to communicate with the University staff the past few months. The National Merit Finalists were not announced until early February, and I live in Pennsylvania. I had to work fast to get all of my paperwork in, but the staff here at UWF were unbelievably helpful throughout the whole process. Overall, I am thrilled to start my engineering degree journey this fall as an Argo.”
The University also hosted its annual President’s Scholarship Competition, which awards top Florida-resident incoming freshmen who show potential to serve as future leaders with the Institution’s most prestigious scholarship, the Pace Presidential Scholarship. This scholarship is offered in conjunction with Florida Bright Futures and covers on-campus room and board, tuition, an $800 book stipend and a research or study abroad experience, totaling more than $50,000.
The six students who were awarded the Pace Presidential Scholarship in 2025 include:
In 2019, the University established the Argo Spirit Scholarship, a full-ride, competitive scholarship awarded to first-time-in-college freshmen who have shown strength of character, or “Argo Spirit.” Argo Spirit involves overcoming obstacles, fighting for something important and making an impact while in high school.
The five recipients of 2025 Argo Spirit Scholarship are:
For more information about UWF’s 2025 top scholars, visit uwf.edu/topscholars. For more information on undergraduate scholarship opportunities, visit uwf.edu/admissionsawards.
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