Immaculata University Awards 5 Presidential Scholarships

Immaculata University recently awarded Presidential Scholarships to five high-achieving high school seniors with records of academic excellence. Considered for scholarships based on GPA, class rigor, standardized test scores, class rank and letters of recommendation, Presidential Scholars receive financial awards equal to annual full-time undergraduate tuition and must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA while enrolled at Immaculata.

“The IU Presidential Scholarship applicant pool is always stellar, and I commend our scholarship committee for selecting these students as the best of the best,” says Immaculata University President Barbara Lettiere. “These students chose to attend Immaculata to further their academic pursuits, and we’re looking forward to their continued successes.”

Recipients of the Immaculata University Presidential Scholarship are Martin Buckius, Alexa Hyman, Rose Lindsey, Mary Steinbicker, and Grace Wright.

Martin Buckius, a resident of Philadelphia, Pa., is a graduate of Father Judge High School.  Buckius plans to major in nursing at Immaculata. In high school, Buckius was involved with the Marine Biology Club and the golf and track teams and volunteered as a student ambassador. He was also inducted into the National Honor Society. As an active member of his parish, St. Albert the Great in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Buckius has helped prepare food for St. John’s Hospice and aided in the construction of the rosary garden at his parish.

“It has been an incredible honor and blessing for myself and my family that I was named a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship,” Buckius stated. “I view this scholarship as an opportunity to grow academically and faithfully as I pursue a career in nursing.”

Alexa Hyman, resident of Exeter Township, is a graduate of Exeter Township High School and plans to major in early childhood education. In high school, Hyman was actively involved in music and theater and was selected to sing in the musical ensemble, Eagleaires. Hyman is active in her local community, where she has volunteered for the Teachers in the Parks program for several years. This summer program helps bridge the gap in learning for elementary-aged students by having high school students assist teachers in their lessons.

“Receiving this generous scholarship helped to alleviate some of the stress associated with choosing a college and convinced me that not only did I want to be a Mighty Mac, but that Immaculata selected me to become the newest member of their family,” states Hyman.

Rose Lindsey, a resident of Bucks County, is a graduate of Seton Home Study School, which is accredited with an academically excellent and authentically Catholic curriculum. She intends to major in elementary education PreK and special education and plans to participate in the Immaculata Honors Program. As a classically trained vocalist and pianist, Lindsey was actively involved in her high school’s musicals and was appointed to perform solos during the school’s concerts. She has also served as a cantor at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Bucks County for nearly a decade. Lindsey also served as a member of the Junior State of America, a non-partisan youth organization dedicated to helping high school students gain the leadership skills and knowledge necessary to be effective participants in their government and community.

“The Presidential Scholarship is the culmination of the hard work, rigor and focus that I placed on my studies in high school,” Lindsey states. “I am excited and feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to bring this same attitude, integrity and energy to Immaculata’s class of 2026.”

Mary Steinbicker, a resident of Falls Church, Va., is a graduate of McLean High School. She intends to major in biology with secondary education at Immaculata and plans to participate in cross country and track and field. During high school, Steinbicker ran for the varsity cross country and indoor/outdoor track teams where she served as team manager her sophomore year before being promoted to captain for her junior and senior years. Beyond sports, she was an active member of the McLean High School Gardening Club and inducted into the National Honor Society and the National English Honor Society. Involved in her local parish, St. James Catholic Church, Steinbicker volunteers for the monthly Food Distribution as well as the annual Lenten Fish Fry.

“Receiving the Presidential Scholarship has been a deeply valuable gift in so many ways,” states Steinbicker. “It has allowed me to attend the university of my dreams and has provided me with a true sense of home and family centered in my Catholic faith.”

Grace Wright, resident of Brookhaven, Pa., is a graduate of Sun Valley High School. Wright intends to major in chemistry. During high school, Wright was involved in Hi-Q, an academically based game show featuring high school teams, and the debate club. She was also inducted into several national honor societies for social studies, English, Spanish, and science.

“Receiving the Presidential Scholarship is an honor, and it validated the hard work and effort I put in during my high school career,” states Wright.

Immaculata University is a vibrant coeducational community of active and engaged learners. Established in 1920 and guided by the servant leadership tradition of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the university empowers graduates for lifelong success, leadership and service. Immaculata offers more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs and is home to 21 NCAA athletic teams plus a coed esports team. The expansive suburban campus is located in Chester County, Pa., 30 miles west of Philadelphia.