One of the newest initiatives within the Foundation, the International Scholars Program seeks to help tomorrow’s leaders develop the necessary skills to think and work globally.
The program provides a grant to talented student leaders who have been accepted into an accredited study abroad program, but who might not otherwise have the resources to participate.
Through a rigorous application process, students are evaluated on their academic efforts, leadership and community service experience and financial need. Five students were selected this year.
Andrew Calienes, Theta Delta (FIU)
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Study Abroad Program: Seville, Spain
Major: Advertising and Public Relations
As a part of this program through FIU, Andrew will immerse himself in Spanish culture while gathering vital information and statistics on how to effectively advertise and promote Seville to the American tourist market. As a rising senior, Andrew is already thinking about what he will do next. After graduation he hopes to gain employment at a multi-faceted and dynamic public relations firm to start his career. Though he is originally from Miami, he has a strong interest in moving to the northeast.
Sterling Parker, Theta Kappa (Baylor)
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Study Abroad Program: Rome, Italy
Major: Management Information Systems/Pre-Law
Sterling will be studying this summer at John Cabot University in Rome, focusing his studies on business and law courses. Sterling aspires to use his education in management information systems, his experience working with Apple and his study abroad experience to begin a career in intellectual property law. He aspires to attend the University of Texas law school after graduation.
Brandon Collins, Delta Alpha (Virginia Tech)
Hometown: Bel Air, Maryland
Study Abroad Program: Germany/France
Major: Accounting with a minor in Global Studies
Brandon will be traveling to both Germany and France this summer, taking international business and accounting courses. These classes will not only count towards his major but also give him valuable experience and knowledge about the way businesses operate outside of the United States. Brandon will graduate from Virginia Tech with a master’s in accountancy and become a Certified Public Accountant. After graduation, he hopes to gain employment with one of the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms. Here he would hope to one day work with international clients as he progresses through the company.
Cody Poplin, Kappa (UNC-Chapel Hill)
Hometown: Thurmond, North Carolina
Study Abroad Program: London, England
Major: Political Science/Pre-Law
This summer, Cody will be attending Kings College in London to participate in the War Studies program offered there. Cody is looking forward not just to this experience challenging him and helping him to expand his cultural awareness, but also to provide him with valuable background and education for a career in International Law.
Gerard Bifulco, Kappa (UNC-Chapel Hill)
Hometown: Pequannock, New Jersey
Traveling to: Oxford, England
Major: Political Science and Economics/Pre-Law
Gerard will be studying abroad during fall 2010 at Oxford University in England, one of the most renowned universities in the world. As an honors student, Gerard hopes to use this opportunity to gather first-hand research for his honors thesis in which he will compare the United Kingdom’s system of government with that of Germany. He also looks forward to challenging himself by engaging in an individualistic, research-intensive course of study offered by Oxford, which squarely contrasts with the American system, centered on group lecture and discussion. Gerard plans to attend law school after graduation and practice international or constitutional law.
The International Scholars program received initial funding from Jack Casper, Alpha Upsilon (Drexel), and an anonymous alumnus of the fraternity. For more information about the International Scholars program or other programs funded by the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation, please contact Executive Director Tom Atwood at (704) 504-0888 ext. 104 or tatwood@pikapp.org.