September 3, 2007
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship awarded to ASU student
Augusta, Ga. – A few short years ago, Corey Jentry was a high school dropout struggling to figure out what he wanted to do in life. Fast forward to August of 2007, and the Augusta State University junior learns he will represent the United States while studying abroad during the 2008-09 academic year. At an Aug. 29 presentation, he will officially receive the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship—a $30,000 award—to spend his senior year of college studying in one of five countries of his choice.
“It is the greatest honor I have ever been blessed with. I feel like the luckiest person in the world,” says Mr. Jentry, a political science international studies major who hopes to eventually work for the United Nations. “I just hope that I can live up to the expectations that are required of me in taking this great opportunity.”
The Ambassadorial Scholarship is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarship program. Nearly 800 scholarships are awarded annually. During their terms abroad, scholarship recipients are required to give presentations about the United States to Rotary clubs while researching the host country’s culture, language, and history for presentations back home once the experience is over.
“You have received a chance of a lifetime to study abroad,” a letter to Mr. Jentry from Rotary International District 6910 Governor Gary Moore states, “but more importantly, while maintaining high standards of academic achievement, you will serve as an Ambassador representing the Rotarians in District 6910 by promoting international understanding, world peace and goodwill.”
The Columbia County Rotary Club sponsored Mr. Jentry as its choice for the scholarship, which is awarded to only one student per Rotary district each year. District 6910—which consists of 67 clubs and represents one third of Georgia—selected Mr. Jentry after a lengthy application and interview process which began in April. Representatives from the club will honor Mr. Jentry for his scholastic achievement during their 7 a.m. Wednesday meeting at the Brandon Wilde Clubhouse in Evans.
“Corey had been on a couple of study aboard trips with us. He is the person that always gives 110 percent. He never does anything halfway,” says ASU Assistant Vice President for International Affairs Holly Carter, who nominated Mr. Jentry for the scholarship. Dr. Carter is also a former Ambassadorial Scholarship recipient who studied in Scotland for a year.
Mr. Jentry applied to study in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, or South Africa. By Mid-December, Rotary International will contact him and let him know in which of those countries he will spend the year. According to the Rotary website, the ambassadorial scholarship pays for round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and board expenses, and some educational supplies.
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