If ever a group of Iowa State students had an incentive to study hard for finals, it’s this one.

A group of 97 students awarded full-tuition scholarships for their freshman years at ISU will have their scholarships renewed for their sophomore years, provided they show “satisfactory academic progress” through finals.

The beauty of the story: None of the students knew about it.

The announcement was made by ISU President Martin Jischke Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union’s Sun Room.

ISU’s Hixson Scholars came to the meeting to learn about financial aid.

“This is going to be a long meeting isn’t it?” Lana Johnson asked before the presentation began.

The students were indeed going to learn about financial aid opportunities, but before that, Jischke had a “special announcement” to make.

“You’ve all been wonderful representatives of our university,” Jischke said. “There hasn’t been a group of freshmen like you in a long time, if ever.”

The Hixson Scholars have made numerous appearances for the university over the semester, talking to ISU faculty and alumni.

“We want to make sure you all do well this semester,” Jischke said. “If you do, you will all get a second-year $2,500 scholarship from Christina Hixson.”

The sophomore scholarships are being provided by Hixson, sole trustee of the Lied Foundation in Las Vegas. Hixson established the Hixson Opportunity Awards last March with a gift of $5 million to ISU.

The scholarships were given to students who have demonstrated potential to succeed at college, but lack the resources because of financial and personal hardship.

Johnson said she was surprised. “That’s a big chunk of money,” she said.

“I was getting worried about next year,” said Kerry Franey, another Hixson scholar. Now, Franey will only have to worry about doing well on her finals.