Central's Samuel Geisler Honored with 3M National Merit Scholarship

This week, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) released the names of the first group of winners in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 770 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 94 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations.

Central High School senior Samuel M. Geisler, who listed his probable career field as computer engineering, was awarded one of the corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship Awards. Geisler's award is sponsored by 3M.

Scholars were selected from students who advanced to the Finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship competition and met criteria of their scholarship sponsors. Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage.

Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $1,000 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.

By the conclusion of the 2024 competition, more than 6,870 Finalists will have
been selected to receive National Merit Scholarships totaling nearly $26 million. Winners are the Finalist candidates judged to have the strongest combination of academic skills and achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. The majority of National Merit Scholarships offered each year are underwritten by some 320 independent corporate and college sponsors that support NMSC’s efforts to honor the nation’s scholastically talented youth and encourage academic excellence at all levels of education.

3M, a diversified, worldwide manufacturer, has its corporate headquarters in St. Paul, MN. National Merit Scholarships are awarded annually to children of 3Mers at all branch, plant, and subsidiary locations. These scholarships, a part of 3M's significant support to education, reflect the company's strong belief that higher education is the key to providing qualified future leaders for our businesses, our communities, and our country.