Whitworth biology major Ashlin Phelps, '14, has received a $5,000 scholarship from the 2010 UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program. Phelps was one of 40 recipients selected from a pool of nearly 800 applicants nationwide.

"I feel extremely blessed to have been awarded such a scholarship," says Phelps, from Visalia, Calif. "It has not only given me the wonderful opportunity to attend Whitworth and further my education, but has also provided the motivation to go out into the world after college and make a difference in the world of epilepsy."

The UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program scholarship is awarded each year to inspiring people whose lives have been affected by epilepsy, and who seek personal growth through higher learning.

Phelps, who has two sisters whose lives have been affected by seizure disorders, says that being part of such a family is her inspiration to excel in school so that she eventually will be able to help people living with epilepsy.

"Ashlin has been through some difficult and trying times in her life, yet has used her situation to better the lives of others," says Heather Overton, who served on the scholarship's selection committee.

Though still unsure about what the future holds for her, Phelps says her passion is to work with children who have epilepsy.

"My heart goes out to all the individuals and families affected by seizure disorders," she says. "If I can use my life to make a difference in someone else's that would be the best reward I could ever ask for."

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (http://www.ucb.com/), is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 8,000 people in about 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.1 billion in 2009.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Emily Proffitt, public information officer, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or eproffitt@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth professor of East Asian history creates semester-long study program in China

As more U.S. employers than ever are looking to hire people with experience studying in China, Whitworth has created a semester-long study program at Beijing's Minzu University of China. Set to begin in fall semester 2011, the program, Whitworth in China, is the brainchild of Anthony E. Clark, assistant professor of East Asian history at Whitworth. The program will take place every three years.

Whitworth featured by Colleges of Distinction as a leader in education excellence

Whitworth University is featured as a top school in the country for 2010-11 on CollegesofDistinction.com, an online guide that takes a fresh look at colleges and universities appealing to students' unique and varied interests. Based on the opinions of guidance counselors, educators, and admissions professionals, Colleges of Distinction honors colleges excelling in key areas of educational quality.