UNT scholars win four Rotary scholarships

Three UNT students and a recent graduate received a total of $100,000 in Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships for study abroad during the 2003-04 academic year.

Rotary Scholarships are provided by each of the 521 districts of Rotary International, an organization for business and professional men and women that focuses on providing humanitarian service, encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations and building goodwill and peace worldwide.

Jared Crebs, senior jazz studies major; Sandra Ehlert, senior anthropology major; Devon Wootten, senior international studies and English major; and Katharine Park, who recently received her bachelor's degree in English, each competed successfully for $25,000 scholarships for full academic years at foreign universities.

James Duban, director of UNT's Office for Nationally Competitive Scholarships and chair of UNT's Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Mentoring Committee, says Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships "recognize academic distinction, personal integrity and service above self."

"Each of our winners excels in these areas. We are very proud of their achievements and what these awards imply about the quality of students at UNT," he says.

Duban and other committee members helped the students prepare for the scholarship program's interview process. Committee members include Les Brothers, professor of music; Ishmael Bustinza, assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures; Mary Beth Butler, director of the Study Abroad Center; Gloria Cox, director of the UNT Honors Program; Judy Morris, Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program coordinator; and Jerry Nash, chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

Crebs, from South Jordan, Utah, will study at La Escuela de Musica Creativa in Madrid. He plans to master the Spanish language and learn flamenco, classical and jazz guitar to prepare to teach music at a university.

"Studying at La Escuela will be an invaluable opportunity to contribute to my development as a performing artist and as a teacher," he says. "Outside of the classroom, Madrid offers countless cultural events and opportunities. In Spain at large, there are many opportunities to play and experience the art of flamenco. I plan on enjoying these resources and on interacting with people."

At UNT, Crebs is an Eagle Ambassador, a member of Golden Key National Honor Society and leader of a jazz ensemble.

Ehlert, from Deer Park, will study at the University of Guyana in Turkeyen. She will focus on rural development in Caribbean countries, debt relief for developing countries and poverty eradication.

"Along with widespread poverty, Guyanese are experiencing a high rate of AIDS, and their children are increasingly participating in drugs and violence. In addition, environmental problems such as water pollution from sewage and rapid deforestation need immediate resolution," Ehlert says. "At the University of Guyana, I will have the opportunity to work closely with many non-governmental organizations actively engaged in seeking solutions to these problems."

A nontraditional student who worked for ExxonMobil Chemical Co. in Houston before entering UNT, Ehlert is a member of both the University Honors Program and the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program, which prepares juniors and seniors for doctoral study.

Wootten, from Farmers Branch, will study at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. He plans to add to his knowledge of international conflict, religion, politics and policy to prepare for a career with the United States Foreign Service. He previously lived in Lille, France, as a participant in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

"As the home of three linguistically and culturally diverse peoples, Switzerland is at the crossroads of the European community," he says. "I can best prepare for a career in the Foreign Service by living and studying in that environment. I believe this year abroad will leave me better poised to promote peace in my community, my country and my world."

Wootten was named Outstanding Student of the Year by the international studies program in the UNT Department of Political Science. He is also a resident assistant and member of Alpha Chi and Sigma Tau Delta honor societies.

Park, from Winnsboro, will study at Goldsmiths College in London. She will focus on contemporary British fiction to prepare for a career as a university professor. Park received her bachelor's degree in English from UNT in May 2002.

"To be able to continue my education in the homeland of the English language is the first step to achieving one of my life goals," she says. "With immersion into British culture comes a greater understanding and capacity to share the wisdom of British literature with others. It is my hope that I can return to the United States with new insight and new perspectives on the life and culture of the literature I am studying."

While at UNT, Park was an ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences, a member of Sigma Tau Delta honor society and a volunteer tutor for the University Writing Center.

BY NANCY KOLSTI nkolsti@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• New campaign promotes UNT license plates and scholarships
• Women at work: Habitat for Humanity calls for Women Build volunteers
• Rafes named senior vice president for administration
• Equity, diversity conference registration deadline nearing
• Pohl addresses golf course development issue
• UNT offers support system to employ people with disabilities
• Rafes speaks to Staff Council about salaries, staffing levels, legislative session
• UNT to sponsor Leadership Texas participant
• Gu creates new installation during residency

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