Athens, Ga. – University of Georgia sophomore Bailey Welch, a marketing major from Duluth, has been selected as one of 50 recipients nationwide to win a $1,000 Merit Award from The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She is one of only four students from Georgia institutions to receive the scholarship as new NSCS members.

“I am really grateful to NSCS for this generous Merit Award Scholarship,” said Welch, who also is pursuing a Spanish minor. “Since I plan to study abroad in Spain to become immersed in the language, this money will certainly make it easier.”

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars was founded in 1994 at The George Washington University as an honors organization that recognizes outstanding academic achievements of freshmen and sophomores. The Merit Award is given out every year to 50 new honor society members who exemplify the mission of NSCS to “honor and inspire academic excellence and engaged citizenship for a lifetime.”

“We are pleased to recognize the outstanding academic accomplishments of Bailey and the students at the University of Georgia,” said Stephen E. Loflin, NSCS executive director. “At NSCS, we recognize the amazing potential of freshmen and sophomores.”

Welch, a graduate of Peachtree Ridge High School, is involved in many campus activities, including College Republicans, Habitat for Humanity, Students in Free Enterprise service organization, the Student Alumni Association and HERO (Hearts Everywhere Reaching Out), a club started by two UGA alumni to provide quality of life programs for children with AIDS.

As a member of Delta Zeta sorority, Welch has participated in philanthropic causes, raising funds for Light the Night and supporting the hearing impaired in Athens and the Painted Turtle Camp for children who are chronically ill. She also tutors Hispanic children through Oasis Católico, a Catholic ministry and outreach program in Athens.

After earning a bachelor’s degree from UGA in 2010, Welch would like to pursue a marketing career that will also allow her to use her Spanish language skills.

Welch will be presented with the scholarship during an induction ceremony on Sept. 28 at the University Chapel on campus. She is the latest UGA student to be recognized by the honor society. Senior Laura Stone had an essay published in the spring 2008 issue of the online literary magazine, The Collegiate Scholar.

For more information on The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, see http://www.nscs.org.

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Note to editors: A photo of Welch is available by contacting Wendy Jones at wfjones@uga.edu or 706/542-6927.