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Scholarship Spotlight: Mallorie Rodak
Mallorie Rodak was initiated into the Eta Omicron chapter of Gamma Sigma Alpha in 1996. She served the chapter at Drury University, during her undergraduate years, as Vice President of Public Relations and President. She is a proud Zeta Tau Alpha alumna currently pursuing her master’s degree in Advertising at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
In addition to Gamma Sigma Alpha, Rodak was involved in the Panhellenic Council, Drury’s Advertising Team, Mortar Board and logged over 200 hours in community service. Her service involvement benefited the Humane Society of Tulsa, the Boys and Girls Club and Relay for Life.
When asked about the benefits of her involvement with Gamma Sigma Alpha, Rodak said, “My membership in both Gamma Sigma Alpha and the Greek community has helped me develop valuable skills for the professional workplace. I’ve gained experience as a leader among my peers, improved my interpersonal communication skills, and learned how to become an effective team player.”
A professor at Drury wrote Rodak’s reference letter and stated, “I am continually amazed at the involvement and passion Mallorie possesses in every aspect of her busy life. She is able to juggle several leadership positions, organizational memberships, theater commitments and academic work and still be passionate and enthusiastic about every task that comes her way.” Rodak is another student Gamma Sigma Alpha is proud to call a member of the society!
This is the final “Scholarship Spotlight” from the 2009-2010 academic year. Gamma Sigma Alpha will announce recipients for the 2010-2011 academic year this summer.
Scholarship Spotlight: Paige Fennell
“Since becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, I have been honored to join the Order of Omega and Gamma Sigma Alpha. That recognition was extremely important since there are many misconceptions about the academic abilities of students in a Greek organization,” wrote Paige Fennell in her scholarship application. Fennell, a graduate of the University of South Carolina was one of our six 2009-2010 graduate student scholarship recipients. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree in teaching at the University of South Carolina. A former professor said, “She is a born educator and a gifted communicator! I am immensely proud of her work and have every expectation that she will go on to distinguish herself in graduate school and beyond.”
Fennell is an outstanding student, but also realized she could learn a lot outside of the classroom and excelled as a student employee, working with the Registrar’s office and the Department of Education. In addition to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she was involved in many other student organizations and volunteered in the community. She served as a tutor to high school students and was involved as a minority peer mentor.
Gamma Sigma Alpha is proud to support Paige Fennell as she pursues her dreams and hopes that her leadership will inspire a future generation of educators!
Posted: June 2nd, 2010 in Scholarship Spotlights | No Comments »
Scholarship Spotlight: Christopher Coy
Coy is one of the 2009-2010 Graduate Student Scholarship Recipients
Christopher Coy has spent the year as a first-year graduate student at Syracuse University in New York. Coy is a Gamma Sigma Alpha initiate from Case Western Reserve University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Math and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He was a leader within the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, serving his brothers as President, Recruitment Chair, Treasurer, Philanthropy chair and other roles during his undergraduate years.
Coy also served the larger Greek community, working in the Office of Greek Life and holding leadership positions in Gamma Sigma Alpha and Order of Omega. The Director of Greek Life, Wes Schaub, shared these thoughts with the selection committee, “Chris has become a valued influence within his chapter and the entire Greek community. Chris is not afraid of a challenge and is willing to take on the tasks that no one wants. He is able to organize these tasks and make them work improving morale and camaraderie along the way.”
Coy hopes to pursue a career in government and Gamma Sigma Alpha was proud to support his graduate school dreams. We wish him all the best.
Scholarship Spotlight: Danielle Goodrich
Danielle Goodrich graduated from the University of Southern California in the Spring of 2009. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience, a degree that would help her prepare for the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine.
During her time at USC, she impressed faculty, students and staff alike. She was noted as a true scholar and a student leader by the staff member who recommended her for the Gamma Sigma Alpha graduate student scholarship. A few of her memberships included Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, USC’s Peer Mediation Program, Mortar Board, Golden Key and of course, Gamma Sigma Alpha. She led the alpha chapter of Gamma Sigma Alpha and was an advocate for the organization on campus.
Community service is another area Goodrich focused on as a student. She volunteered, asssisting Katrina victims during an Alternative Spring Break. Philanthropically, she raised money for Darfur genocide victims and collected items for a women’s shelter in Los Angeles.
Goodrich said, “Gamma Sigma Alpha has opened my eyes to the Greek community beyond my individual sorority. I was able to form connections with Greek leaders from many fraternities and make an impact on the entire system.”
The Gamma Sigma Alpha Board of Directors congratulates Goodrich on an exemplary academic record. There is no doubt she will continue to do good things and we wish her all the success in the world.
Kristine Campbell
Kristine Campbell is one of six scholarship winners for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Kristine Campbell graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham last May with a degree in Biology and high hopes to attend medical school this fall. Gamma Sigma Alpha helped her achieve her goal by awarding her one of the six scholarship designated this year. Campbell was initiated into Gamma Sigma Alpha in 2007 and served as Treasurer and President of the local chapter. In addition to Gamma Sigma Alpha, Campbell was involved in Alpha Omicron Pi, the Student Alumni Society, Catholic Student Ministries…the list could continue.
A recommendation letter was written to support Campbell’s scholarship application. Her reference said, “(Kristine has the) ability to formulate innovative solutions to problem. She was also known as a self starter, able to seize upon a problem, analyze its components and execute a solution with minimal supervision. There is no doubt she has the intellectual capacity and power to make her mark in medicine.”
Campbell felt honored to be a part of Gamma Sigma Alpha and felt it allowed her to work closely with leaders in her organization and around campus. She said, “Gamma Sigma Alpha has shown me that others value academic success of college students and this organization has helped to refine my leadership skills and become more involved on campus.”
Gamma Sigma Alpha wishes Kristine Campbell all the success she can ask for during her first year of medical school at the University of Alabama. She is just one example of the outstanding students the organization initiates every year and we are confident she will make a difference in the world.
Bo Nasmyth Loy
Bo is one of the six 2009 scholarship recipients we will highlight on this site over the course of the year.
Gamma Sigma Alpha was pleased to continue the tradition of awarding scholarships to undergraduate members pursuing advanced degrees for the 2009-2010 academic year. Bo Nasmyth Loy, graduated with a degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2005. He will continue his studies at the same institution, enrolling in the Keck School of Medicine with aspirations of becoming a doctor.
Loy was not a typical student leader at USC. He served as President of the Delta Chi chapter, Executive Vice-President of Judicial Affairs for the Interfraternity Council and a leader within the Gamma Sigma Alpha chapter. In addition to these formal responsibilities, he has authored books to help kids suffering with childhood diabetes including, “487 Really Cool Tips for Kids with Diabetes,” and “Getting a Grip on Diabetes.” If that wasn’t enough Loy has traveled to Hong Kong and Beijing on a research grant and is now assisting on a health study working to prevent type II diabetes in the underserved Latino youth of East Los Angeles.
When asked about the value his Gamma Sigma Alpha membership had on him, he stated, “The Greek system at USC, and particularly the Gamma Sigma Alpha Greek Honor Society, introduced me to some of the most influential people in my educational career; for that I will be forever grateful.” Gamma Sigma Alpha is grateful to call Bo Nasmyth Loy a member and we are honored to assist him financially in his post undergraduate studies. Congratulations Bo and good luck!