Applications for the 2014-2015 Leader of the Pack scholarship program, which recognizes an NC State student who has made outstanding contributions to the university in the areas of leadership, scholarship and community service, are now open until 5 p.m., Sept. 30. 

Finalists are selected based on grade-point average, a personal interview, extracurricular activities, essays about their leadership and service experiences and student-body vote. The Leader of the Pack winner is announced at the homecoming football game and awarded a $2,000 scholarship. 

Students are eligible to apply if they have completed two semesters at NC State at the time of application and have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater. Applicants must also have no academic integrity probation or disciplinary probation on their records. 

“They are looking for someone who can unite the campus,” said Austin Bath, current Leader of the Pack and senior in biological sciences. “Our university is diverse, and this person should represent a broad spectrum of people and interests.”

A committee of NC State faculty will select 12 semifinalists.

“The committee is made up of faculty from across all disciplines on campus,” Bath said. “We want everyone to have fair chance. No one should walk into the interview and have an advantage based on their discipline.”

The 12 semi-finalists will be announced in mid-October on the Leader of the Pack website. From there, the semi-finalists will be narrowed down to six through the interview process.

“They factor in your GPA and what you are involved in outside of class,” Bath said. “They focus specifically on your contributions to NC State. They want to know how you have affected the university community.”

The six finalists will be announced in late October, and from there the winner will be chosen through a student-body vote. The six finalists will be featured in the Homecoming parade. They will be walked onto the football field along with their families at halftime during the homecoming game. 

“When we went to the football game, I did not know I was the winner,” Bath said. “They tell you right on the field. It is pretty nerve-racking.”

NC State started the program in 2002 as an alternative to having a traditional Homecoming King and Queen. In addition to the scholarship, an award will be given out to the finalist with the highest GPA. 

“It reflects the values of the university,” Bath said.  “I think it is a great way for the university to show that it values service and contributions to society, rather than a popularity contest.” 

Until 2012, the Leader of the Pack Program recognized one female and one male student and rewarded each a $1,000 scholarship. Now NC State recognizes only one student in an attempt steer away from the Homecoming King and Queen stereotype and to avoid gender discrimination, according to Bath. 

“We are really proud of the program,” Bath said. “Many other universities have now followed our model and created a similar award as an alternative to Homecoming King and Queen.”