Hayley Burke, an incoming student at Bluffton University, has been awarded the university’s Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship, valued at more than $16,000 over four years.

Burke, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, is the daughter of Jon and Kelly Burke and will graduate from Mount Vernon High School this year. She volunteers and is active in 4H, the National Honors Society, the Mount Vernon High School women’s varsity basketball team and at her church The Church at Chapel Hill.

At Bluffton, Burke plans to study Mathematics with an AYA Licensure, with hopes to be a high school math teacher and coach basketball.

Austin E. Knowlton was the owner of Knowlton Construction Company, established in Bellefontaine in 1937. During his lifetime, he designed more than 600 buildings, including more than 160 college and university buildings across Ohio. Widely recognized for his philanthropic leadership, including a special interest in supporting education, the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation continues to carry on his interest in providing support for higher education.

Knowlton Scholars will have special opportunities to work alongside faculty members, interact with campus speakers and attend off-campus conferences.

The Knowlton Scholarship at Bluffton is awarded to two high-achieving residents of Ohio who major in STEM-related fields. The scholarship is granted in addition to Bluffton University’s academic merit scholarships.