Wake Forest University expands Stamps Scholarships to include returning students
Three Wake Forest students have been awarded full-ride Stamps Scholarships to complete their undergraduate education, marking the first year the prestigious award has been available to returning students. Senior Elena Singer-Freeman, junior Maxwell Schellhammer and sophomore Anya Huggins were selected from among 160 applicants to join more than 50 Wake Forest Signature Scholarship recipients.
Initially offered only to incoming first-year students, Wake Forest announced in 2024 an expansion of the Stamps Scholarship Program that enabled returning sophomores, juniors and seniors to apply for the scholarship. The extension has allowed Wake Forest to identify and support exceptionally talented, engaged students who have exemplified leadership, perseverance, academic excellence, service and innovation during their time on campus.
The selected scholars represent diverse academic interests and demonstrated impact across multiple fields.
Singer-Freeman is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology and minoring in neuroscience. In addition to her classes, she combines these interests, studying limb regeneration as a research assistant in Professor Josh Currie’s biology lab. Beyond the lab, she serves as a cancer strategist with Take the Fight to Cancer, helping underserved patients access resources and improve communication with their medical teams.
Schellhammer, who double majors in engineering and music, uses innovative technology applications. His work with UAV photogrammetry helps research teams identify infrastructure at risk from erosion. At Wake Forest’s Lam Museum of Anthropology, Schellhammer worked with Professor Andrew Gurstelle using photogrammetry to digitize more than 130 artifacts, contributing to international efforts to prevent illicit antiquities trafficking.
Huggins is majoring in politics and international affairs, and sociology. She was selected for the U.S. Department of State’s Youth Ambassadors program. As a policy intern with Cornerstone Government Affairs, she gained experience in government communications. Huggins has also been recognized with an Outstanding Attorney Award from the American Mock Trial Association.
“We are grateful to the Stamps Scholars Program and University leadership for expanding the Scholars Program to include returning students. Doing so enables us to identify and encourage exceptional young men and women at all stages of their undergraduate career,” said Jackie Sheridan, director of the Wake Forest Scholars Program. “Elena, Max, and Anya are fine examples of the kind of engaged, dynamic scholars that contribute to our culture of academic excellence at Wake Forest.”
Contenders for external awards like the Stamps Scholarship work closely with the Wake Forest Scholars Program to develop their applications and earn University nominations. More about the program’s mission can be found on the website. Those interested in applying for Scholarships for Continuing Students can learn more here.
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