Distinguished Student Award

University of Charleston graduating senior Will Schaffer, a social science education major, has been selected as a 2007 James Madison Fellow, which awards based on high academic achievement, strong promise of completing a master’s degree, with a goal of teaching young people in secondary schools. He was one of only 50 to be recognized from across the nation. The value of the fellowship is $24,000.

Will, 27, a native of Fullerton, Calif., is an ex-Marine and former UC football standout. He has applied to UCLA and University of Virginia to pursue his master's degree. He is currently completing his student teaching at South Charleston High, where he is teaching advanced history and special ed, his secondary discipline.