Press Release

CAMPBELL NAMED NATIONAL FINALIST FOR THE SAMSUNG AMERICAN LEGION SCHOLARSHIP

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) -- John Craig Campbell of Mansfield, MO was selected as one of approximately 99 national finalists for the Samsung American Legion National Scholarship. Campbell was selected from among over 110 applications by the state scholarship committee of the Missouri American Legion at The American Legion State Convention in Joplin, MO the weekend of July 16-18. Campbell will now compete nationally for one of seven four-year college scholarships expected to total $20,000 each. By virtue of his selection as a National Finalist, Campbell will receive a $1,000 scholarship, if not selected as a national winner.

Campbell was selected based on his school and community involvement, academic standing, financial need and leadership skills. Campbell will be a senior at Mansfield High School this Fall and currently intends to pursue a higher education degree in engineering. He is the son of Johnny and Denise Campbell of Mansfield. Campbell is the great grandson of Roscoe R. Smith and Russell R. Holt who both served with the Army during World War I and World War II respectively.

Mansfield Building Supply in Mansfield sponsored Campbell at the 2004 session of Missouri Boys State.

Eligible applicants attended The American Legion Boys State of Missouri, Inc. or The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, Inc. in Warrensburg this past June and were descendants of war veterans. Boys State and Girls State are leadership and citizenship training programs sponsored by the Missouri American Legion and the Missouri American Legion Auxiliary respectively.

The scholarships are derived from earnings on a $5 million Samsung Corporation endowment. The electronics firm joined with The American Legion in 1995 to offer scholarships to direct descendants of honorably discharged wartime veterans in recognition of the sacrifices of American servicemen and women during the Korean War.

Dong-Jin Oh, president and chief executive officer of Samsung North America, says the scholarship program “is the best way to show our appreciation to the United States and to U.S. war veterans.”