Since 1988 Cornell's most outstanding graduating seniors have been selected by their college deans as Merrill Presidential Scholars, and they, in turn, recognize the high school teacher who inspired their studies and the Cornell faculty member who most contributed to their university experience. This year 33 students -- approximately 1 percent of graduating seniors -- were selected.

The university invited the high school teachers to campus and honored the seniors and teachers with two days of events, May 24-25.

Among the highlights this year, high school teacher Richard Driskill traveled from France to visit former student Anuja Thatte. Cornell faculty members Kifle Gebremedhin and Paat Rusmevichientong were honored by two students each; Charles Williamson was cited for the 11th time; and Rosemary Avery received her ninth Merrill invitation. Two Merrill scholars attended the same high school: Vishal Saggar and Sarah Fogel studied at Half Hollow Hills High School East in Dix Hills, N.Y.

The university also honors the high school teachers with Special Teachers Are Recognized (STAR) scholarships, a one-time $4,000 scholarship in each teacher's name for a financially needy Cornell student from the teacher's high school or geographical area. STAR scholarships were established in 1989 by the late Donald Berens and his wife, Margi Berens, both Class of 1947. The late Philip Merrill '55 made the Merrill Presidential Scholars Program possible.

The 2011 Merrill Scholars are listed below by college, with their hometowns, followed by the names of the secondary school teachers and the Cornell faculty members the students selected for recognition:

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

College of Architecture Art and Planning

College of Arts and Sciences

College of Engineering

College of Human Ecology

School of Hotel Administration

School of Industrial and Labor Relations