After 116 College Acceptances and Nearly $4 Million in Scholarships, Antoinette Love Chooses Eureka College

NEW ORLEANS — Last month, Louisiana high school senior Antoinette Love went viral after receiving over 115 college acceptances and nearly $4 million in scholarships.

Love, a senior at International High School of New Orleans, said she wanted to see how many colleges she could get into, and has been stunned to learn that every single institution on her list would be happy to welcome her to its campus.

Now, after careful consideration and countless media interviews, Love is ready to make her decision – and she’s choosing Eureka College.

On Monday, Love shared via social media that she made a decision and would announce it during a signing ceremony on Thursday, May 16 at 10 a.m. in the Community Room of her high school.

“I chose Eureka College because I feel like it is the best place for me to thrive and do great things as a future teacher,” said Love. “I want to attend a small school where professors know me, and at Eureka, even the President knows me.”

Located in Eureka, Illinois, and chartered in 1855, for 164 years Eureka College has cultivated excellence in learning, service and leadership while providing students uniquely personalized and customizable educational opportunities.

Originally founded by abolitionist members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Eureka College holds the unique distinction of being the first college in Illinois and only the third in the nation to admit men and women on an equal basis. The college, which is located on nearly 70 wooded acres in central Illinois, is the smallest of only 23 colleges and universities to ever award a bachelor’s degree to a future President of the United States.

Before he rose to prominence in entertainment and politics, Ronald Wilson Reagan attended Eureka College and graduated in 1932 after a prolific four-year stint of being involved in campus politics, athletics, theatre and Greek life. He once famously said of Eureka College, “Everything that has been good in my life began here.” And now this is the place where Love will begin the next phase of her life.

“As a parent, nothing is more exciting than to see your child’s success be acknowledged. I’m so proud of all the hard work Antoinette has put in for all four years of high school, and her dedication to applying and getting accepted into 116 colleges/universities,” said Love’s mother, Yolanda Love. “It is with great honor and relief that I’m proud to say Antoinette will call Eureka College her home for the next four years as she continues on her great path of knowledge, and growth. The smallest school to ever graduate a US president has proven itself to be a great fit in helping Antoinette become the great teacher and leader I know she will be.”

Love is a first-generation college student who earned a 3.7 GPA while being involved in the National Honor Society, the English Honor Society and Rho Kappa social studies honor society, the anime club and video game club. She previously stated her desire to study elementary education, but her favorite subject in school is environmental science. A gifted artist, Love also has a passion for reading, painting and photography.

“After getting to know Antoinette over several conversations and learning more of her interests, it is abundantly clear that Eureka College is the place where she will thrive and be able to pursue all of her passions in the type of highly personalized and caring environment she and her family desire,” said Eureka College President Jamel Santa Cruze Wright. “We are proud of Antoinette’s accomplishments and couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her and the Love family to our uniquely Eureka community that I am certain will exceed her expectations as much as I expect her to exceed ours.”

In addition to a distinguished history, Eureka College’s notable student outcomes were a factor in Love’s decision. The most recent survey of last year’s graduates shows that 100 percent of education majors received offers to teach and Eureka’s pre-med and pre-veterinary school placement rate is twice the national average. Additionally, 94 percent of all graduates reported feeling prepared to succeed.

With its signature general education curriculum, called the 10 Essentials, and noteworthy student outcomes in programs like Education and Pre-Med, Eureka allows students to tailor their learning experience to their individual needs and interests while acquiring essential, transferrable skills for the careers of today and the unknown careers of the future.

Love, who is also interested in experiential learning opportunities like studying abroad will get to do just that as part of the College’s Uniquely Eureka Advantage Program, which includes a $2,000 grant for all students in good academic standing to reduce the costs of participation, as well as a roadmap to graduate in four years or the fifth year is free.

Like Love, nearly two-thirds of Eureka’s approximately 600 students are first-generation, all of whom are invited to participate in Eureka’s First Generation Program. The program provides learning and networking opportunities for all four years of the student experience. Students are guided by mentors and dedicated staff, who help ensure that program participants are prepared not just for graduation, but for a long, fulfilling life and career.

In addition to all of the educational opportunities at Eureka, the campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has unique resources such as the Ronald Reagan Museum and Peace Garden, which displays a piece of the Berlin Wall and the Mark R. Shenkman Research Center, which includes a comprehensive collection of books about President Reagan.

Although Love’s choices were nearly unlimited, Eureka offered the opportunity to receive highly personalized attention on a small but historic college campus, and expand her funnel of experience in all of her areas of interest.