Mercy High student receives full-ride scholarship

OMAHA, NEB. – College of Saint Mary (CSM) has selected Macey McGargill, of Papillion, Neb., as a Marie Curie Scholar, starting in the fall. CSM presented McGargill with a scholarship check for $80,000 when she arrived on campus this week. She receives the scholarship after standing out in academic talent and showing outstanding leadership service.

In one of her recommendations letters, the writer describes Macey as a very curious and enthusiastic young student. “This desire to learn is reflected in her choices she's made during high school when she has elected to take some additional science courses. Her inquisitive nature would serve her well in the field of research, and in my opinion would be reflective of the Nobel Prize winner, Marie Curie, for whom the scholarship is named.”

College of Saint Mary’s prestigious Marie Curie Scholars Program, which is funded in part by the National Science Foundation, provides significant financial support and resources to outstanding young women pursuing study in STEM majors, such as biology, chemistry, or math.

Marie Curie Scholars receive up to $20,000 annually for four years in gift aid. In addition to having access to substantial financial resources and facilities, participants also receive free tutoring, have opportunities for undergraduate research, and have access to top programs like the National Institute of Health and NASA research fellowships. Marie Curie Scholars at CSM also often attend and present at national conferences.

McGargill earns the scholarship after achieving several honors at Mercy High School. Some of McGargill’s academic and extracurricular accomplishments include Academic Honor Roll, Good Samaritan Award, Most Improved Choir member, Outstanding Fine Arts Award, and Excellence in Theater Award.  

At CSM, she plans to major in biology, starting in the fall of 2019. Located in Omaha, in the heart of Aksarben Village, College of Saint Mary uses initiatives like the Marie Curie Scholar Program to provide women from all backgrounds with access to an affordable, excellent college experience, career-driven coursework, and lifelong leadership skills. She is one of five recipients of this year’s Marie Curie Scholarship.