Five Coastal Carolina University students have been selected as the 2014 Jackson Scholars, a student leadership program sponsored by the University's Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values.

The new class of scholars beginning January 2014 includes Darcy Barr, a biology and health promotion major from Myrtle Beach; Suzanna Grindle, an acting major from Oakwood, Ga.; Korina Koci, a biology and philosophy major from Myrtle Beach; Julietta Marks, a political science major from Summerville; and Meagan Sharp, a musical theatre major from LaGrange, Ga.

The Jackson Scholars is a leadership program that helps talented students develop into future leaders of high personal integrity. Students are selected based on academic merit after an in-depth interview process.

As a part of the program, Jackson Scholars are required to complete two years of ethical leadership studies in the classroom and spend two semesters as counselors through the Summer Ethics Academy. Students also have the possibility to participate in an ethics-focused community internship. The scholars also receive a $1,000 annual stipend.

The Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values was founded in 2004 by area business and civic leaders Nelson and Mary Emily Platt Jackson. The primary focus of the Jackson Center is to cultivate awareness throughout the academic and surrounding communities of the importance and lifelong rewards of personal and professional integrity.