The University of South Alabama Mitchell College of Business recently held a reception for its top scholarship students, known as the Mitchell Scholars.

Local businessman and philanthropist Abraham Mitchell endows the program, which includes an annual $11,000 scholarship and a free laptop.

The average ACT score for the nine freshman students was 30, and they held an average high school grade point average of 3.75.

Since Mr. Mitchell launched the program in 2000, $2.1 million has been awarded to top students in the region. To date, the Mitchell Scholars program has graduated 51 students, with an average GPA of 3.70.

The sophomores and upperclassman currently in the program number 19, with an average GPA of 3.82.