Student Ambassadors offer scholarship

Annual award given in memory, honor of former member

Every year, the Student Ambassadors give $1,000 to one student on campus through the Carrie Kutner Scholarship Fund, and the application deadline is Wednesday, March 24.

"Carrie Kutner was a freshman student ambassador in 1994-'95," said junior Heather Davis, member of the Student Ambassador Scholarship Committee. "She lost her battle with cancer in the summer of 1995."

Kutner was an inspiration to the people who knew her, and the Student Ambassadors wanted to create a scholarship as a memorial to her, according to Davis.

The scholarship is not based on need, but students need a minimum 2.5 grade point average, must be a current JMU student and not a student ambassador. The applicants are judged based on significant community service and love for JMU.

The money goes toward the student's tuition, with half awarded during each semester, according to the Student Ambassadors Web site, www.jmu.edu/orgs/ambassadors/2004scholarships.html.

This week, the Student Ambassadors will be working a table on the commons so people can ask questions regarding the scholarship. The scholarship committee of about 15 people will meet to select the next recipient, according to Davis.

"We (on the selection committee) read all the applications; all applications are reviewed several times. Then, we select around 10 finalists and then we interview them and pick a winner," said junior Barbara Shockley, member of the Student Ambassador Scholarship Committee.

Davis said, "Our biggest target when selecting the winner of this year's scholarship is someone who truly embodies what Carrie was all about — her spirit and her enthusiasm for everything that JMU had to offer. Carrie gave 110 percent, even when she didn't have 110 percent to give."

Throughout the year, the ambassadors help to raise money for the scholarship.

"During the fall semester, the committee held a poster sale, and the proceeds went to benefit the scholarship," Davis said. "Also, there was an a cappella and benefit concert for the [Carrie Kutner Scholarship Fund]. Since then, it has been in the bank acquiring interest. We're excited to see how much interest has acquired, and how much more money we can give to someone in Carrie's memory."

The Student Ambassador Scholarship Committee received 66 applications last year, from which 15 applicants were invited back for further interviews. Three people were awarded a scholarship.

Student Ambassadors represent and promote JMU to prospective students and guests, current students and alumni, according to their mission statement.

Applications are due Wednesday March 24 by 5 p.m. to Carriekutnerscholarship
@hotmail.comCarriekutnerscholarship@hotmail.com @hotmail.com or at the front desk of Sonner Hall. The winner will be selected, and a reception will be held Saturday, April 3.