by Tara S. Donahue

"If we had invited all the people whose lives this scholarship program has touched, Memorial Gym would probably not hold them," Ann Neely, associate professor of the practice of education, teaching and learning and director of the Ingram Scholarship program, said at the inaugural Ingram Scholars Reunion Weekend held Jan. 19-21.

Addressing an audience that consisted of current Ingram scholars, alumni of the program and Vanderbilt dignitaries such as Chancellor Gordon Gee, Chancellor Joe B. Wyatt, emeritus, and Board of Trust President Martha Ingram, the reunion celebrated the seventh year of the Ingram Scholarship program. Initiated by E. Bronson Ingram, president of the Vanderbilt Board of Trust from 1991 until his death in 1995, the unique goal of the program was that the scholarship was to be based upon community service in addition to academic merit.

Implemented in 1994 with six participating students, the program has accepted 50 students over the years. Currently, 28 Vanderbilt students are Ingram Scholars, and that number is projected to be around 40 students in fall 2001. Of the 22 alumni, 19 returned to Nashville for the reunion.

The reunion was the first time that current and former scholars met to discuss the program -- its strengths and weaknesses and how improvements could be made. In addition, the weekend provided an opportunity for the scholars to meet on a more personal level.

"One of our biggest goals for having this reunion was to help those scholars who are alumni and those who are current students make connections," Neely said.

According to Gayle Rogers, a senior in the College of Arts and Science, this objective of the reunion was met.

"The alumni are concrete role models for all of us, and they exemplify the program's overarching goals. The interaction between alumni and current scholars this past weekend brought forth many fruitful ideas, ranging from methods of augmenting the current program to ways of keeping service an integral part of one's business life," he said.

According to Neely, the alumni are also invaluable assets for current scholars to learn about internship opportunities, and they serve as connections for initiating service projects throughout the world. In fact, during a speech given at the Friday night dinner, Rogers said Ingram Scholars have completed service projects on every inhabited continent in the world.

Jason Dinger, an alumnus of the program and CEO of an Internet company, said the program was designed with the belief that "we can go out in the world and make a difference."

Gee and Wyatt also made remarks emphasizing the importance of helping others.

"It's about lifelong service. It's about willing to volunteer and do so with the grace and good common sense that comes from a great education," Gee said.

Students in the program volunteer their time in numerous ways. They have begun or have held leadership roles in several campus organizations including SNAP (Student and Native American Partnerships), VandyCares, the "GRATE" American Sleepout and VSVS (Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science) among others.

On average, Ingram scholars spend 20 hours a month during the academic year participating in community service projects.

They are also expected to design and implement community service projects for at least one summer during their undergraduate years. These projects have ranged from an AIDS awareness and prevention program in India to working in a homeless shelter in Nashville, to working for a peace and reconciliation group in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Ingram Scholars are also required to participate in monthly workshops on community service. The scholars are divided into five groups and work with a community service adviser.

Kent Syverud, dean of the Law School, and Fred Talbott, professor of the practice of management (communications), also present seminars to the scholars each semester. Syverud helps scholars study the impact of volunteerism while Talbott shares his insights of leadership.

Graduates from the Ingram Scholars program have continued on in many diverse professions. Some have gone on to medical school while others have entered the business world. Still others have joined the work force at service-oriented companies and organizations such as Americorp and Teach for America.

"I am most impressed that the alumni of the Ingram Scholarship program have remained so active in their communities, even at the initial stages of their careers. They are fulfilling Mr. Ingram's goals of leading lives of service while pursuing their careers," Neely said.

"Having the alumni revisit the campus showed the current scholars how far beyond this university the ideals of the program extend, as Bronson Ingram envisioned seven years ago," Rogers said.

Ingram Scholars receive a 50 percent tuition scholarship that is renewed annually through the senior year. Stipends of $3,500 are available for their summer projects. Besides the community service and workshop requirements, scholars must maintain a B average to remain in the program.

 

Ingram Scholars act locally The following past and present projects, along with many others, are designed to reach out and make an impact in critical areas of need in the Nashville community. Ingram Scholars also work with a variety of campus groups -- including sororities and fraternities, multi-cultural organizations, Alternative Spring Break -- and hold positions in organizations such as the Student Government Association and the Honor Council. Vanderbilt PET (Pet Encounter Therapy): an organization that enriches and comforts the lives of people who suffer from illness through therapeutic visits with behaved dogs.   Sierra Club's Inner City Outings: an environmental education initiative for Nashville's youth.   V.E.R.S.E.S. (indiVidual Exploration & cReative Self ExpresSion): a creative arts program for Nashville youth held at the Pruitt Library, in the J.C. Napier housing project.   Vanderbilt Prison Project: involves many different programs at local correctional institutes, such as AIM (Aiding Inmate Mothers), a program in which volunteers tape-record inmate mothers reading books to send to their children.   Women of Excellence: a group for local adolescent women focusing on self-esteem.   SNAP (Student and Native American Partnerships): an organization that provides Internet technology and training for Native American schools around the country.   VandyCares: an organization that helps increase HIV/AIDS awareness on campus and provides opportunities for Vanderbilt students to volunteer at various HIV related organizations around Nashville.   Kids and Computers: a program held on-campus in which children from local schools spend time learning about computers with Vanderbilt volunteers.   Yes U Can: a tutoring and mentoring program held in local classrooms and after-school centers for Nashville youth.   "Grate" American Sleepout: an on-campus sleep-out designed to establish a day of homeless awareness on the Vanderbilt campus.   P.L.A.Y. (Performing and Learning Actively with Youth): a program that brings music and arts to local schools.   VSVS (Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science): an organization that teaches local children about science in various schools.   STATS (Students Teaching AIDS to Students): an AIDS information and prevention group. SAY-I (Senior and Youth Interaction): an organization providing aid and care for seniors.   -- Tara S. Donahue

 

---

Register Home

Vanderbilt Homepage | Media Relations | News Service
Briefly Speaking | Faculty & Staff Notes | Calendar | Bulletin Board | Jobs | Archive