Tyler George named Killian Family Old Well Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill

Tyler George named Killian Family Old Well Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill

Tyler George, a senior at New Hanover High School, has been named the 2014 Killian Family Old Well Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He is the son of Chris and Melissa George of Wilmington, N.C.

Tyler was selected from a very qualified pool of applicants based on his outstanding achievements in academics, athletics and leadership.  At New Hanover High School, he reached the top of his class in academic standing, was elected vice president of the National Honor Society, captained the soccer team in his junior and senior years, and also earned his Eagle Scout rank.

The Killian Family Old Well Scholarship in the College of Arts and Sciences was established in 1999 by Thomas W. Killian of Summit, N.J. to honor his parents, Bill and Betty Killian, who were longtime residents of Wilmington but passed away in 2011 and 2009.  Tom and his siblings, Rick and Cindy Killian, have strong ties to New Hanover High School and UNC as all are graduates of New Hanover High School (Rick ’73, Tom ’75, Cindy ’81) and earned undergraduate degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill (Rick ’77, Tom ’79, and Cindy ’85). Bill Killian was a 1949 Carolina alumnus.   

Originally intended to give preference to students from New Hanover County, The Killian Family Old Well Scholarship was recently amended to give specific preference to graduates of New Hanover High School in recognition of the Killian siblings’ connection to New Hanover High School.   Eight Carolina undergraduates have received Killian Family Old Well Scholarships to date, including Anna Fleck, who graduated from New Hanover High School in 2006 and earned her bachelor’s degree from Carolina in 2010.

The Killian Family Old Well Scholarship awards $4,500 annually and its total value is $18,000. Eligible candidates are chosen based on academic excellence, athletic ability and demonstrated leadership. Killian Scholars are service-minded, both at school and in the community, and demonstrate strong character through leadership. The selection process is highly competitive. Each applicant submits an interest letter and resume, and answers a series of essay questions. A committee of faculty and staff from New Hanover High School reviews each application and selects finalists for interviews.