BY
JACI SHANKEL

E

very high school student dreams of receiving a
full ride scholarship, and for Joseph Englehart that dream became a reality.
Through the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, Englehart was chosen as one of 1,000
recipients to receive a "good-through-graduation" scholarship to use
at a school of his choice. And that choice just happened to be Walla Walla
University, making him the university’s first Gates Millennium Scholar.

While attending Auburn Adventist Academy in
Washington State, Englehart participated in dozens of community service
activities ranging from going on mission trips to feeding the homeless to
volunteering at school. These community service hours, when coupled with a
nomination from Tom Allen, who teaches mathematics, physics, and engineering,
at AAA, helped Englehart receive notice over other applicants.

Englehart is a freshman student in the department
of technology, studying aviation technology and automotive service. After
finishing his undergraduate degree, he plans to attend Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, to obtain a master of
science in aeronautics, as well as his airframe and powerplant certification.

Other than planning to use his flying for mission
work at some time, Englehart is still open to options for his future. “I’m
letting God lead my path and open doors,” says Englehart. “He got me this huge
blessing of a scholarship and now I’m waiting on where He leads me next.”

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is part of
the Gates Foundation, and provides 1000 extraordinary minority students with
the financial means to receive a higher education and realize their
potential.