Pence Names Scholarship After Former Governor
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe scholarship program originally signed by former governor Evan Bayh will now bear his name. Through an executive order signed Thursday by Governor Mike Pence, the 21st Century Scholars Program will now be known as the Evan Bayh 21st Century Scholars Program.
Bayh served as governor from 1989 to 1997 and signed into the program into law in 1990. At a ceremony at Indiana State University, Pence said he was grateful to sign the executive order in recognition of Bayh’s efforts.
"Thanks to the vision of former Governor Evan Bayh more than 25 years ago, tens of thousands of Hoosier students have taken advantage of the 21st Century Scholars program as a way to achieve their goal of going to college," said Pence. "This program offers students across our state a path to educational success, and I’m proud of the students who have committed to developing the character traits and work ethic that will carry them into adulthood."
Pence signed the executive order and was joined by Bayh and former state representative and commissioner for higher education Stan Jones, who created the legislation that led to the creation of the 21st Century Scholars program. Several current and former 21st Century Scholars were also on hand.
A report from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education released in March showed the number of 21st Century Scholars completing 30 credit hours per year has increased by 23.4 percent at four-year colleges, and 24.2 percent at two-year institutions.