This month, the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation will award more than 150 scholarships to sisters pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education degrees. Because of our excitement for the start of a new academic year, we can’t help but reflect back on last year’s more than 140 scholarship recipients. Below, three of our 2020-2021 scholarship recipients share their thoughts as they look back on the impact of receiving an Alpha Delta Pi Foundation Scholarship last year.
2020-2021 Xi Chapter Scholarship Recipient
Catherine Sommer, Xi—Ohio University
My name is Catherine Sommer, and I am a Bobcat through and through. Being a Junior at Ohio University, I am studying Integrated Media with a minor in Political Science and certifications in Political Communications and Social Media. I am set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the Scripps School of Communication in the spring of 2022.
I joined Alpha Delta Pi, Xi Chapter, in the fall of my sophomore year, and the experience that has followed has been nothing short of incredible. I have been fortunate enough to hold the positions of Alumnae Relations and Vice President of Panhellenic Relations while in the chapter.
When I found out that I had received the 2020-2021 Xi Chapter Scholarship, it felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. I am truly thankful for the financial support that the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation has provided for me in my academic career. Being able to focus on academics over finances this past year was a blessing and one that will affect not only the rest of my college career but the rest of my life.
In the future, I plan to work in multi-media post-production with a specific specialization in video post-production. I’ve been working to achieve these goals through internships and a job with the University of Communications Marketing team in video post-production.
This scholarship impacted me and my future goals by allowing me to focus on bettering myself for my career field as opposed to worrying about financials. My Foundation Scholarship experience was nothing short of incredible, and I will always say the same about my time in Alpha Delta Pi. I cannot believe that I only have one year left as a Delta member; however, graduating does not mean that the sisterhood ends. Alpha Delta Pi is not a four-year mentality, it is a for life mentality. I am so thankful to the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation for all that they have done for me, and I only hope to be able to give back as much in the future.
2020-2021 Kathryn M. Strong Fellowship Recipient
Pooja Shah, Gamma Phi—East Tennessee State University
My name is Pooja Shah, and I am ecstatic and honored to have been chosen for the 2020-2021 Kathryn M. Strong Fellowship. Currently, I am a fourth-year medical student at Wake Forest School of Medicine. I am grateful for this academic opportunity, and I could not have done it without my undergraduate education at East Tennessee State University, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a Microbiology Concentration in 2017.
I plan to graduate in May 2022 and hope to be matched into an Ophthalmology residency. My goal is to become an Ophthalmologist and work to address healthcare disparities in eye care in both the United States and abroad. I have a passion for global health and underserved communities, and I am excited to contribute to public health efforts to care for patients and restore vision.
I joined Alpha Delta Pi in 2014 during my Sophomore year at the Gamma Phi Chapter. It was wonderful to share a sisterhood with so many intelligent, strong women and have an amazing support system. Since graduating, I have enjoyed connecting with my sisters and seeing everything they are accomplishing.
I am so grateful to the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation for supporting my efforts in becoming a physician. This scholarship has generously supported my efforts to succeed in medical school and earn my M.D. after four long, hard, but rewarding years of work!
2020-2021 Dodee West Monaco Scholarship Recipient
Hannah Bennett, Epsilon Omega—Jacksonville University
My name is Hannah Bennett, and I am currently a rising senior at Jacksonville University pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I anticipate graduating in May of 2022.
I joined Alpha Delta Pi September 3rd, 2018 as an eager 18-year-old who wanted to join an organization of like-minded women with the hope of becoming more involved in the university I fell in love with as a high school senior. My experience has been that and more. I have served as Epsilon Omega’s Vice President of Finance 2018 to 2019 and as Chapter President 2019 to 2020. I currently serve as the 2020-2021 Recruitment Analyst. Alpha Delta Pi has pulled me out of my comfort zone and has formed me into the woman and leader I am today.
When I found out that I was the recipient of the 2020-2021 Dodee West Monaco scholarship, I was absolutely ecstatic. I was very humbled to know that the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation wanted to invest in my education and ensure that the goals I set for myself were met. I found myself to be more motivated, focused, and determined to become successful during my years as an undergraduate student since receiving my scholarship.
After graduation, I would love to work on a Labor and Delivery floor at one of Jacksonville, Florida’s local hospitals. I do have later plans of returning to JU after completing my bachelor’s to work towards obtaining my Master of Nursing in Informatics.
Receiving the Dodee West Monaco scholarship has allowed me to continue my education and reach the goals that I have always longed for as a child growing up. With this scholarship, I will be one step closer to leaving a positive impact on my patients’ and their loved ones’ lives as they receive medical care.
The 2021-2022 Alpha Delta Pi Foundation scholarship recipients will be announced on the blog in the coming weeks, and the application for the 2022-2023 academic year will open in November 2021.