The Guinness Book of World Records holder for the most number one books on the New York Times Best Seller List, James Patterson, has given eight scholarships to freshmen education majors.

Last semester on Apr. 15, Ken Weaver, dean of the teachers college, discovered that these scholarships were going to be offered. Patterson had contacted President Michael Shonrock via mail, according to Weaver, about establishing the James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarships at ESU.

Patterson, who is the author of book series such as “Alex Cross” and “Maximum Ride,” wrote that he had paid attention to the way ESU’s education department prepared future teachers and emphasized literacy and decided he wanted to support the students through scholarships.

The idea evolved into eight $6,000 scholarships for freshmen education majors who showed serious commitment to completing the university’s program. Weaver said choosing which students were most likely to stay the course as education majors proved to be a very challenging task.

A team of ESU faculty and staff were responsible for discerning which students were most deserving of the scholarships based on an extensive application process that students had two weeks to complete. Michelle Berg, Samantha Buchanan, Leanne Feathers, Jennifer Gottstein, Joseph Hamer, Sarah Johnson, Travisray Salyers and JaShawn Wallace were the recipients of the scholarship.

Joseph Hamer and Leanne Feathers, freshmen elementary education majors, said it was difficult to obtain all of the information.

At first, Hamer wasn’t sure he would have his recommendation letters sent in time.

“It was almost three weeks into summer,” he said. “I really didn’t think my guidance counselor would be checking her email when I asked her for a letter.”

According to Weaver, 54 students applied, and the selection committee narrowed it down to 16. Each finalist then had an interview with the selection committee – most were face-to-face, but the committee made some exceptions.

“I had a full time job working with a special education program this summer,” Hamer said. “I could not make it to the scheduled interview day, but they were flexible enough to Skype with me, which is really cool that they would make that work.”

When Feathers applied, she didn’t expect to win the scholarship,

“I got my phone call and literally was in shock,” Feathers said. “Everyone was just excited for me and I’ve kept them up to date on everything I’ve done.”

Throughout the process, both Hamer and Feathers said they were thankful to their teachers, family members the Emporia State team and, of course, Patterson.

“We hope this relationship with James continues to grow into a long deal investment of our students,” Weaver said.