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First reunion of Ingram Scholars promotes global, local service"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.
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