These opportunities to travel, to hear the latest cutting edge news from the newsmakers themselves, to gain exposure to the ideas percolating throughout our society,—these opportunities provide University Scholars the very real and necessary benefit of becoming further connected to the world around them and becoming a well-rounded and involved citizen. But don't just take our word for it! Here is what some of our 2011 graduates said about the program:
“I can honestly say that being a member of the USP has been the single most rewarding part of my undergraduate experience at NC State. I had an amazing time getting to know all the other Scholars in the past four years and have made friendships that I know will last a lifetime. The USP encouraged me to develop not only my leadership and professional skills but also my self-confidence.”
Tonia Benoy, Civil Engineering
“The University Scholars Program helped me adjust to college life at NC State during my first two years by helping me make friends, learn to become more outgoing through trips, and also build personal relationships with my professors through honors classes. I think it is a great opportunity for potential new students and I would highly recommend it.”
Kara Dziwulski, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
“It helped broaden my education, since I have mainly been taking science classes. It has also helped me to push myself by taking honors classes, which I have enjoyed.”
Christopher Kilgore, Chemical Engineering
“I was able to take honors classes and realized the benefits those classes had to offer, including smaller classes and challenging material. The forums also acquainted me with regularly reading the newspaper; something I still do to stay current with global issues and issues that apply to my job.”
Katherine Kline, Business Management
“Where do I start?! Joining the Scholars Program was my best decision when coming to NCSU! It gave me a great balance between Engineering and culture/art/literature/humanities…etc. I met new people, traveled to new places, learned a ton, and made memories I will never forget.”
Mackenzie McBride, Civil Engineering
“The University Scholars Program encouraged me to challenge myself intellectually, culturally, and socially. Being part of the USP community creates a much richer undergraduate experience.”
Marycobb Randall, Business Management, Park Scholar
“Being involved in the Scholars Program was that extra motivation to be different from all the other students. I broadened my experiences with the alternate forum events and strengthened my academics with the honors options. I am very grateful that I was exposed to this program because without it, I would not have been able to achieve my goal of going to law school.”
Evelyn Miller, Philosophy
“Attending forum events was a way to get my mind off of the things that stress us all from day to day, and to focus on the bigger picture of all the interesting things in the world, and all the much more pressing issues. It stimulated my curiosity and made me more engaged.”
Jackson Menius, Chemical Engineering
“The University Scholars Program played a pivotal role in my undergraduate experience at NCSU by improving my knowledge of the events taking place not only in the U.S. but all over the world. It also introduced me to new forms of art, music and literature that I would otherwise not have been exposed to at any other time in my student life. It also offered me a way to meet new people and make new connections that I was able to cherish throughout undergrad.”
Sindhura Sevala, Chemical Engineering
“The USP gave me the opportunity to think outside the realm of the typical future. It put ideas in my head about living overseas and experiencing other cultures. The USP got me thinking about the possibility of working overseas, which eventually led to me pursuing the Peace Corps. Attending the Scholars Forums gave me the chance to hear from people who have done the extraordinary and live outside of the box, which inspired me to do the same.”
Stacey Oliver, Zoology
“Joining the University Scholars Program was one of the best decisions I made while at NC State! It opened my eyes to so many different cultures by providing diverse cultural activities and events that were intellectually stimulating and fun. While a member of this outstanding program I was able to participate in international and domestic travel. I made numerous friends with students of different majors that without Scholars I many not have had the opportunity to meet. Scholars definitely promoted my personal, intellectual and cultural development while being a student at NC State.”
Clair Wilson, Mathematics Education
“University Scholars Forums allowed me to become a well-rounded individual. By attending forums on various topics, I was exposed to opinions, ideas and events that I would not have known about with the Scholars Program. The forums allowed students to become involved in current events and real-world problems, instead of simply attending mandatory classes. After 3 semesters of attending forums, I still attended numerous forums simply because they were so engaging and informative.”
Hannah LaRoe, Textile Technology
“The University Scholars Program really impacted me early in my undergraduate career because it opened my eyes to the different opportunities I could take advantage of, campus organizations, career options, networking methods and gave me a wonderful group of friends and classmates to build lifelong relationships with! I’ve been able to travel to different cities, meet amazing people and influence others through the USP – and absolutely loved it!”
Samantha Smith, Biochemistry and Chemistry
