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First Recipients of $40,000+ FVSU Global Innovators Scholarships Include Future Change Agents in Science, Mathematics, Education, and Entrepreneurship

Posted on Mar 26, 2018

(Fort Valley, GA)"” Fort Valley State University today announced the recipients of its inaugural Global Innovators Scholarships, worth up to $42,500 over four years. This includes $40,000 for tuition, room, board, fees, and other academic expenses, in addition to $2,000 for international study and $500 to pursue a customized passion project, such as research, creative exploration, or entrepreneurship. The inaugural class of Global Innovators is:

  • Lindsay Corbin from Arabia Mountain High School in Lithonia, Georgia

  • Neariah Freeman from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia

  • Camille Saunders from Heritage High School in Conyers, Georgia

  • Lauren Wartley from Harris High School in Hamilton, Georgia

  • Erica Wearing from Seneca High School in Seneca, South Carolina

Students were selected based on their grade point average, demonstrated leadership, and interviews on campus this past February. The average grade point average for the Global Innovators is 3.8 on a 4.0 scale.

"The star students in our inaugural class of Global Innovators Scholars are the young people who will soon disrupt the way the world approaches problems and lead our transformation into the society of the future," said Paul Jones, Ph.D., FVSU president. "We are fully committed to providing the access to technology, expert faculty, work experiences, and global cultures these students will need to take their place as the creative leaders to whom humanity will look for solutions to our most complex challenges."

Lindsay Corbin intends to major in animal science. She sees herself combining engineering and agriculture to create new innovations such as animal prosthetics. She also wants to work to decrease world hunger and improve living standards. She already shadows a local veterinarian, takes engineering classes, and leads the homeless service project for her school's chapter of Future Farmers of America. She is also active in robotics.

"In the next ten years, I will be able to leave a positive impact on my community and better the living conditions available," Lindsay said.

Neariah Freeman will pursue biology. She has always been interested in learning about the human body and wants to help children as a pediatric oncologist. She has developed a habit of giving back, especially by working to provide for economically challenged families during Christmas. Growing up, she has always tried to make someone's day a little bit better than the day before, and now wants to build a financial trust and foundation to help underprivileged children around the world. She is already to driven to do whatever it takes to succeed.

"The American system wasn't built to create brilliant doctors out of people like me," Neariah said. "I will work twice as hard to overcome the status quo of what a black female doctor can be."

Camille Saunders plans to study mathematics. She looks forward to being a leader and an entrepreneur, giving back to her community by having the courage to pursue opportunities which involve risk but benefit many. Family and spiritual growth are important to her, so she hopes that her success will be a boon to others as well.

"I want to be able to set up a business that can benefit more than one race, ethnicity, or culture," Camille said.

Lauren Wartley will be an animal science major, and pressure will not be a challenge for her. In fact, her goal is to become a trauma surgeon specializing in disaster medicine. While at FVSU, she also wants to increase her foreign language expertise to help her communicate with people as she travels the globe performing surgery for people in need. She has always been interested in dissecting and reassembling items, and the medical field appeals to her most.

"I wanted to be the person who could see a problem and uncover and fix it," Lauren said.

Erica Wearing looks forward to studying agriculture education. She plans to work with high school students, both as a teacher and faculty advisor for a Future Farmers of America program like the one in which she has been active since her freshman year. She believes that working in the education field will help her make a true difference in the world throughout her life.

"My love for education, I feel, will pour into all aspects of my life so that I am helping not only my immediate students but all others around me," Erica said.

The FVSU Global Innovators Scholarship was created to produce inquisitive, culturally adaptable students who create change. It helps students understand methods for conducting meaningful and thoughtful research into an idea or opportunity, move ideas to meaningful action, and create new approaches to problem-solving. At the same time, students develop a greater understanding of globalism by living, learning, and working with people in other countries. For more information about the Global Innovators Scholarship, please visit fvsu.edu/globalinnovators.

Contact

Media only:

Teresa Southern

(478) 822-7589

Other inquires:

Office of Recruitment and Admissions

Phone: (478) 825-6520

Email: admissions@fvsu.edu

About Fort Valley State University

Founded in 1895, Fort Valley State University is one of the nation's most innovative academic institutions, leveraging its unique role as a state and land-grant institution to make educational opportunity available for everyone. The university's undergraduate and graduate campus and online degree programs enroll almost 3,000 students from all over the world. As part of its commitment to excellence, the university has produced more African-Americans with mathematics degrees than any other college in the nation in two of the past three years. FVSU students participate in more than 80 academic and civic organizations, honor societies, and study abroad programs. FVSU is Georgia's only 1890 land-grant institution, is part of the University System of Georgia, and is a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and NCAA Division II. Learn more by visiting www.FVSU.edu.

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