Seton Hill University surprised Mariah Rettenmeier, of Aurora, Ill., with a full scholarship for four years through the University’s Division of Social Sciences on Saturday, May 16. Rettenmeier is the daughter of Cletus and Stacey Rettenmeier. She plans to major in psychology at Seton Hill.

In 2007, Seton Hill University created four full-tuition scholarships and awarded them to outstanding scholars who were incoming freshmen in the traditional undergraduate program at Seton Hill. For the 2009-2010 academic year, Seton Hill will award eight full-tuition scholarships. These scholarships are renewable for four years of study at Seton Hill and are valued at more than $100,000 each; students recognized are known as Seton Scholars. Two scholarships will be awarded annually in each of the following academic divisions based on the student’s selected major field of study: Humanities, Visual and Performing Arts, Natural and Health Sciences, and Social Sciences.

Selection Criteria for Seton Hill Scholar in Seton Hill’s Division of Social Sciences: 1300 or higher combined SAT score, high school grade point average of 3.7 or higher, honors or Advanced Placement coursework pertinent to the major, demonstration of leadership or community service, a letter of recommendation that addresses the student’s ability to excel in the field of study, and an essay written by the student describing her/his decision to major in the field chosen. Majors in this division include accounting, business, criminal justice, family and consumer sciences, hospitality and tourism, psychology, social work, and sociology.