Celebrating the Extraordinary: Honoring Our Scholarship Recipients, Donors

Humanities and Social Sciences scholarship recipients got to meet the donors who make their awards possible at the college’s annual luncheon honoring scholarship and philanthropy on Feb. 16. 

The Humanities and Social Sciences Scholarship and Philanthropy Celebration allows top students and faculty to mingle with alumni, retired faculty and friends who support the college’s hands-on learning, research, study abroad inititatives and other programming. 

This year’s luncheon featured three student speakers who reflected on how their awards helped them think and do:

•  Junior communication major Takira Coleman, a recipient of the Travel Scholars and International Connections Study Abroad awards, spoke to the importance of study abroad, citing specific lessons she learned during a recent trip to Chile. 
• Senior international studies and chemical engineering double-major Alex Kearney, a recipient of the Gerald and Frances Erdahl Scholarship, the Balfour Beatty Scholarship and the International Connections Study Abroad Award, discussed his evolution as a student during his tenure at NC State. 
• Psychology doctoral student Jenna Armstrong, a recipient of the John Oliver Cook Graduate Award and the Suniti-Anand Gupta Graduate Award, talked about her graduate research and work with Project CATCH, a local initiative that provides services for families experiencing homelessness in Wake County. 

With support from donors, the college offered more than 130 named scholarships in 2016-17. For some, the awards provided incentive to attend NC State. For many, the gifts have been critical to offset financial burdens. “At the heart of each scholarship is a commitment to the success of a student,” said Susan Rabon (political science ’82), who serves as president of the Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board.

“Every year, we meet bright, and optimistic students whose achievements amaze us,” Rabon said. “And we are humbled by the generosity of donors and touched by the stories that inspired them to support our students.”

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