RALEIGH – A Hopewell High School student is one of 45 teenagers who have been selected for North Carolina State University’s Park Scholarship.

Benjamin Henry Austin, of Cornelius, was chosen out of a pool of more than 1,300 applicants for the honor, which pays for tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, travel and personal expenses for four years of study at the university.

Austin will graduate from Hopewell High School where he is vice president of Mu Alpha Theta, and a member of the National Honor Society and track team. He is an Eagle Scout and junior assistant scoutmaster, and participates regularly in mission work with his church youth group. He plans to major in nuclear engineering.

Park Scholars are selected based on outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service and character.

“The Park Scholars in the Class of 2015 will include our 800th Park Scholar and will bring a rich diversity of experiences and abilities to NC State,” said Park Scholarships Director Eva Holcomb.

“Representing 19 North Carolina counties, 12 states and three countries, they will pursue an important range of academic interests and service passions as they seek to address some of the most important issues facing our state, nation and world. We are deeply grateful for the Park Foundation’s continued generosity, which makes this program possible.”