Transylvania University junior Skye Struwig has been awarded the school’s 2025 Charles and Susan Shearer Scholarship, which will cover her senior year tuition and general fees.
The psychology major from Victoria, Australia, has found a home at Transylvania while giving back to the campus community and excelling academically.
“I have applied my whole self to multiple roles on campus — contributing, supporting and serving those around me and, through them, my own maturation as a scholar and an individual,” Struwig said. “I have come to know and understand the importance of a holistic approach to education, leadership and service.”
Struwig, who’s earned a 4.0 cumulative GPA, has served as an editor for The Transylvanian literary magazine, a Writing Center staffer, member of Circle K and the Psi Chi and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies, founding member of the Transy’s Writers Circle and a residence assistant. Off campus, the creative writing minor volunteered as a language arts tutor for the Carnegie Center.
Also, her campus recognitions include the Delcamp Creative Writing Award for fiction and the Juried Student Art Show’s Best in Photography honor.
Transylvania professors praised Struwig’s academic work along with her character.
“As a student, Skye is always at the top of her classes and clearly is very dedicated to her education,” said Bethany Jurs, a neuroscience and psychology professor. “Above that though, she seems to have an insatiable appetite for knowledge.”
Psychology professor Mark Jackson also commended Struwig for being a well-rounded, creative and engaged student. “I believe Skye embodies everything that this scholarship seeks to recognize: academic achievement, leadership, service and character.”
Fellow junior Erika Williams testified to her leadership abilities. “Skye Struwig is a top-notch example of the creative leader Transy seeks to foster: She is candid, passionate and supportive to those in her community.”
Senior Nate Brother agreed. “Skye has been the model of integrity and respect in a role that is essential for the stability of the Transylvania community. This role, along with her excellent academic record and other ways of reaching out to her community, has made Skye the ideal example of what a student leader at Transylvania can be.”
Additionally, Struwig noted the sense of belonging she’s found on campus. “As a student at Transylvania, I have sought to contribute to the health of this community in a myriad of ways, aiming to give back to what has become my home.”
The Charles and Susan Shearer Scholarship was established in honor of Transylvania’s president from 1983-2010 and his wife.