People
March 1, 2010
Bobby Jones Scholars selected
Four Emory seniors, Emily Cumbie-Drake, Steven Dry, Walter Ecton and Philip May, have been chosen to receive the 2010-11 Robert T. Jones Jr. Scholarship for a year of study at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. The 2010-11 Robert T. Jones Jr. Fellow is Surabhi Agrawal. Founded in 1411, St. Andrews is Emory’s sister institution.
Widely known as the Bobby Jones Scholarship, the award was established in 1976 and recognizes individuals who will be excellent representatives of Emory at St. Andrews. Qualities required include intellectual excellence, a significant leadership record and academic interests that can be pursued through the offerings at St. Andrews. The scholars receive full tuition and a travel stipend for their year of study. In addition, four St. Andrews students are chosen to spend a year at Emory.
"The four scholars and fellow selected are all very accomplished academically and deeply involved in the Emory community and beyond," says Joanne Brzinski, senior associate dean of undergraduate education who oversees the selection process. "As individuals, they each bring particular strengths and diverse backgrounds that will make them all great ambassadors for Emory."
· Emily Cumbie-Drake, an anthropology major from Des Moines, Iowa, plans to take courses in sustainability that build on her academic program at Emory, as well as courses on Scottish history and culture. She plans to become involved with the St. Andrews Dance Society and One World, a student organization focusing on sustainable development. At Emory, Cumbie-Drake is an Emory Scholar and member of Phi Beta Kappa. She has been involved in sustainability efforts at Emory and studied abroad in Uganda.
· Steven Dry is a double major in chemistry and religion from Hopkinton, Mass. At St. Andrews he plans to pursue coursework in medicinal chemistry in preparation for graduate work in that field. He also plans to become involved in sports teams at the university. Dry is a member of the varsity track team at Emory and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received a grant from the Point Foundation to conduct research for his honors thesis in Sweden in summer 2009.
· Walter Ecton is completing his degree at Emory as a double major in political science and theater. A native of Lexington, Ky., Ecton plans to pursue a graduate degree in peace and conflict studies at St. Andrews. While at Emory, he has been involved in Theater Emory and has been active in orientation and freshman advising programs. Ecton is currently participating as a Presidential Fellow in the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress program.
· Philip May, a chemistry and Greek double major, is from Wellington, Fla. At St. Andrews he plans to pursue a graduate degree in Greek. While at Emory, May has been active in the Student Government Association and residence life, and has undertaken undergraduate research in the labs of chemistry professors Cora MacBeth and David Lynn. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and an Emory Scholar.
The Robert T. Jones Jr. Fellowship enters its third year with the selection of Agrawal. Fellows receive full tuition and stipends for the duration of a postgraduate degree program. Each year, one fellow is chosen from both Emory and St. Andrews.
· Surabhi Agrawal, from Miami, is an international studies major at Emory, and will pursue a graduate degree in international relations at St. Andrews. She is a Woodruff Scholar, and is completing her honors thesis on the role of local institutions in India in maintaining peace in villages.
Recipients are selected by a committee of faculty, administrators and trustees of the Robert T. Jones Committee as well as former Jones scholars. The late Bobby Jones, an internationally renowned golfer, was an Emory Law alumnus remembered by those who knew him as an extraordinary man of rare loyalty, compassion and integrity.
