Trani Scholars announced

University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University has announced the first members of the Eugene P. Trani Scholars program, which provides financial aid to exceptional undergraduate students.

The Trani Scholars are selected by a blue-ribbon committee chaired by VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., and composed of former members of the Board of Visitors. The Selection Committee awards the scholarships based on need and merit. Each of this year’s honorees is a first-generation college attendee.

The 2007-08 class of Trani Scholars consists of:

Sarah Taylor, a freshman from Newport News. She is entering the College of Humanities and Sciences with plans to study biology and pursue a career as a doctor.
Katharina Rienks, a sophomore from Karlsruhe, Germany. Rienks is majoring in Criminal Justice and hopes to work for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Daniel Phillips, a junior from Winchester. Phillips, who transferred to VCU from the University of Alabama, is pursuing a nursing degree in hopes of becoming a nurse anesthesiologist.
Jonathan Hundley, a senior from Westmoreland County. Hundley is majoring in mathematical sciences.
Marquetta Brown, a senior from Norfolk. Brown is studying sociology. After graduation, she hopes to work with inner-city children and encourage education for self-improvement.

Trani Scholars will maintain their scholarship through graduation from VCU as long as they maintain good academic standing — a GPA of 3.2 or higher — and continue to meet the criteria that accompany the scholarship. The criteria include serving as a mentor in University College during the student’s junior and/or senior year. Each year, the Selection Committee will meet to select a new Trani Scholar from the incoming freshman class.

The Trani Scholars program was made possible by a $1 million gift from longtime VCU supporters C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright in 2006. This year’s group of Trani Scholars will receive $5,000 each for 2007-08.