The Beta Iota Foundation is pleased to announce that $42,000 in scholarships have been awarded as part of the 2011 giving process to seven recipients for the amount of $6,000 for each winner:
Graham Aldinger (Darin Aldinger, ’90)
Graham Aldinger will be attending Clemson University this fall and graduated from Lexington High School in Lexington, South Carolina. Graham has a wide range of interests including playing the guitar, snowboarding, and even cooking in the restaurant industry, however his biggest passion is automobiles. Aside from planning on learning to drive in a race circuit, Graham will focus on a career in engineering within the automotive industry, something that he can do very well at Clemson’s International Center for Auto Research. In addition to these interests Graham has dedicated his time to the community in Lexington with particular passion with two organizations. The first is Respite Care, where Graham provides assistance to parents of children with special needs and disabilities. He has also taken on numerous leadership roles in the Lexington Interfaith Community Services organization where he has organized countless food drives to ensure that those families in need do not go to bed hungry. The Beta Iota Foundation is certain Graham will bring his leadership and compassion with him to Clemson and beyond, and we wish him the best of luck in his pursuit of a career in the automotive industry.
Ryan Barr (David Barr, ’85)
Ryan Barr, a rising first year student at the University of Virginia, grew up in Marietta, Georgia. In high school, Ryan earned varsity letters in both football and baseball, ranked in the top of his class, and served his community in countless ways. To say that Ryan is a natural born leader is an understatement. His impressive leadership experiences range from student government positions held throughout high school to a role as a freshman mentor to a volunteer with an organization that sends care packages to our troops. Even at the young age of ten, Ryan exhibited his incredible ability to lead when he threw a no-hitter in the National Championship baseball tournament, a feat which earned him induction to the Youth Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. In his own words, Ryan described how his leadership experiences have impacted his life: “Through this process I learned that individuals are willing to recognize leadership, even if informal, when it is performed with authenticity and respect. This opportunity to be a formal leader has provided me with more comfort in pursuing additional opportunities.” Ryan will no doubt be an incredible asset to the University of Virginia, and the members of the Beta Iota Foundation look forward to witnessing Ryan’s future accomplishments and contributions.
Chelsea Bateman (Mark Bateman, ’79)
Chelsea Bateman is a rising third-year at the University of Virginia. Originally from Ledyard, Connecticut, Chelsea attended George Mason University before transferring to UVA last year. Chelsea is a model of perseverance through hard work; not only has her determination gotten her to UVA, it has gained her entrance into the Nursing school. She has a passion for music including the playing the piano as well as singing in choirs and a capella groups. At George Mason Chelsea founded and directed Noteworthy, the first female a capella group. At Virginia she has been extremely busy with numerous volunteering efforts including Madison House, the UVA hospital, and other organizations such as Spread the Love. Chelsea is a proud member of Sigma Kappa sorority and credits her sisters there for helping make the transition to UVA smooth and “make her feel part of the UVA community.” Chelsea hopes to stay in Charlottesville and the UVA hospital upon graduation before pursuing graduate work in Pediatrics. The Foundation is confident that she will be successful in her endeavors and we wish her the best.
Eleanor Reid Bergin (Ned Bergin, ’72)
Reid Bergin is a graduate of the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, Louisiana, and will be attending Princeton University. Reid has been a star in both her school and community through her hard work and dedication to excellent causes. Her work on countless community services projects, including her devotion to Relay for Life, has made quite an impact in New Orleans. Her work with Peer Leadership, the Executive Committee, school publications, and the track team (where she served as captain) are just the part of her incredible involvement in high school. Furthermore the spirit which she brings to each project, her school and her classmates earned her the prestigious Pereira Memorial Award, accurately describing Reid in her ability to “bring a special quality of enthusiasm and optimism to life … by her unwavering concern for others.” Her genuine care for those around her has clearly been evident throughout her life; however Reid’s ability to bring this trait to leadership positions has made everyone around her more effective. We are certain that Reid will continue to be a pillar in whichever community she is involved in and look forward to hearing about her future achievements.
Conner Brace (Glenn Brace, ’83)
Conner Brace is a second-year student at the University of Virginia. He attended high school in Surrey, England at the ACS Eghan International School, where served as the school president his senior year. Conner is extremely active in multiple facets of music, from serving on the PKG concert committee tasked with bring musical artists to the University to forming his own band back in England where he sang lead vocals, played guitar and composed music. At UVA Conner is an active member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity where he serves as president of his pledge class. His numerous leadership roles along with his extensive traveling experiences have given Conner a unique opportunity to serve as an ambassador to commence dialogue and ultimately find resolution to problems between different groups of people. Currently he plans to study business at UVA, a role he is familiar with through his founding of the Babel Clothing Company, an apparel company targeting young expatriates in the London area. The Foundation wishes Conner success with his studies and is certain that he will continue to be an exceptional asset to the University and the organizations he is a part of.
Joe Leonard (Lawrence Leonard, ’78)
Joe Leonard is from Virginia Beach, Virginia where he attended Ocean Lakes High School. He will be attending the University of Virginia this fall. Joe has been incredibly involved in Theatre at Ocean Lakes where he has been cast in lead roles throughout his high school career. His leadership skills came into display more recently when he was chosen to lead two student-directed plays where he selected, cast, and directed, an experience that broadened his Theatre horizon tremendously. Joe hopes to continue his study of theatre by pursuing a drama major at UVA. In addition Joe has spent a tremendous amount of time working on community outreach projects through his church. These projects, including work with Stop Hunger Now, have given Joe a chance to give back to both his own community as well as those in need all over the world. An annual mission trip provides even more opportunity to give back to different communities. We are certain that Charlottesville and will benefit greatly from having Joe this fall, and hope to see him soon in a play at the University.
Emma Murphy (Thomas Murphy, ’83)
Emma Murphy, a recent graduate from Osbourn High School in Manassas, Virginia, will attend Mount Holyoke College in the fall. Throughout her high school career, Emma exhibited incredibly strong leadership qualities which she used to better herself, her school, and her community. Some of her impressive credentials include positions as a literature editor and staff member on her school’s literary magazine, vice president of her school’s National Honor Society chapter, and vice president of her school’s Uganda Awareness Club. Emma has a distinct interest in international relations, with a particular interest in global conflict. After college, she hopes to pursue an international career in the Peace Corps, and later in the Foreign Service. In her application, Emma described the importance of education, not only in her own enrichment, but in the betterment of those around the world. “Education is key, both for me and for children across the globe. As I learn more, I will grow as a leader and a person. Armed with knowledge, I will have the power to change unjust situations and corrupt conditions.” The members of the Beta Iota Foundation are certain that Emma has a bright future ahead of her, and we are eager to witness her impact both here and abroad.
University of Virginia Greek Endowed Scholarship Fund
Additionally, the Foundation has gifted approximately $4,000 to the University of Virginia Greek Endowed Scholarship Fund, which is given to outstanding members of the Greek system at the University.
Recently at an event at the University at Carr's Hill, a few members of the Foundation were excited to meet one of this year's recipients!
Pictured from left: Jason Beverage (Board of Directors), Conner Brace (2011 recipient), Andrew Wilson (President, Board of Directors) and Chris Casscells (University Relations).
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