ANN ARBOR—Four recent Michigan high school graduates have been chosen to receive the Bentley Scholarship, one of the University of Michigan’s most prestigious awards for undergraduate students.

The Alvin M. and Arvella D. Bentley Scholarship recognizes recipients as among the most outstanding Michigan residents accepted to the U-M. The $40,000 awards ($10,000 per year) cover most of the recipients’ undergraduate tuition, fees, and room and board for four academic years.

The winners, all of whom will enroll as freshmen in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the U-M this fall, are Steven F. Chapman of Goetzville, Kevin P. Cody of Williamston, Kristen M. Harris of Ann Arbor and Abigail E. Short of Rochester Hills.

Chapman, who ranked first in his graduating class at Pickford High School in the Upper Peninsula, served as captain of his high school quiz bowl team and plans to study physics at the U-M.

Cody, valedictorian of his senior class at Williamston High School, is an Eagle Scout, was president of his school’s National Honor Society and plans to study mathematics at Michigan.

Harris, a top graduate and National Achievement semifinalist at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, has won numerous piano and flute awards, was president of her school’s National Honor Society and will be a pre-med student at the U-M.

Short, valedictorian of her graduating class at Rochester High School, was a member of her school’s National Honor Society and marching band, plays the flute and plans to study computer science and German at Michigan.

Established in 1983 by the Bentley Foundation of Owosso, the Bentley Scholarship program continues the Bentley family’s tradition of supporting educational excellence by providing scholarship assistance to Michigan students.

Alvin M. Bentley III, a 1940 U-M graduate, spent most of his life in public service. He devoted the early part of his career to the U.S. diplomatic corps, served four terms in Congress, and was a member of the U-M Board of Regents from 1966 until his death in 1969. The Bentley Historical Library at U-M was completed in 1972 with a gift from the Bentley family.