Fourteen UNLV students who have overcome adversity in the pursuit of their educations recently were awarded $2,500 Jean Nidetch Scholarships.

The scholarships, funded by Weight Watchers International founder Jean Nidetch and sponsored through UNLV's Jean Nidetch Women's Center, are awarded to freshmen enrolled as full-time UNLV students. They must have a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average, have overcome adversity in the pursuit of their educations, and demonstrate a financial need.

The 1997 recipients of the scholarships are Virginia Bradberry-Almond, Melissa Brooks, Vanessa Cordova, Lori Cowan, Rosa Esparza, Dwaine Harrison, Melanie Harvey, David Head, Adam Hill, Nora Mendoza, Tiffany Niedert, Martina Prokopova, Dustin Tomblin, and Phouthasone Vongsamphanh.

During the awards ceremony, Nidetch announced that the number of scholarships given will increase to 20 for the 1998 academic year.

For additional information on the scholarships, call the women's center at 895-4475.