EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Matias Martinez-Ekkel, of Grandville, Mich., is one of 21 students to receive the Presidential Scholarship at Eastern Michigan University for the 2020-2021 academic year.

The Presidential Scholarship is a four-year award that pays for 30 credit hours per year of in-state tuition, housing, a food allowance and mandatory fees.

During his time at EMU, Matias plans to pursue a degree in aviation flight technology with a minor in business.

In high school, Matias was involved in the National Honor Society, cross country, varsity soccer, varsity basketball, aircraft recognition, aviation simulator instructor aviation fundraising, and numerous volunteer activities. He also served as an aviation simulator instructor, was a representative on the Student Council, and spearheaded a large student-run fundraiser.

After college, Matias plans on becoming a professional pilot, a philanthropist, and a business entrepreneur.

Presidential Scholars are selected during Eastern Michigan University’s Presidential Scholarship Competition, held in December during a student’s senior year of high school. Awards are highly competitive and based on many factors, including an essay and multiple rounds of interviews. To qualify for the competition, high school seniors must have at least a 3.5 GPA and a minimum of a 25 ACT or 1130 SAT.

For more information, please visit the Presidential Scholarship website.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.