Chair Monte Herring shown with prior years Ambassadorial Scholar Annie Bird
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Chair Monte Herring shown with prior years Ambassadorial Scholar Annie Bird |
The Santa Monica Rotary Club's Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications for the academic year 2006-2007 for study at an institution of the applicant's choosing abroad. The Ambassadorial Scholarship provides a maximum of $25,000 to cover round-trip transportation, required academic fees for a normal course load, reasonable living costs, some educational supplies and perhaps limited educational travel and contingency expenses.
The one-year scholarship offered by the Rotary Foundation and District 5280 is not necessarily degree-oriented. Applicants must have completed two years of university work or professional work experience before starting scholarship studies. Scholar applicants may be of any age over 18 and may be married, but spouses are not provided for. In addition, Rotarians, their spouses or direct relatives of Rotarians may not apply.
The awards are very competitive. For this academic year District 5280 has only three scholarships available. Historically, the District interviews from 20-25 applicants from the District 5280 clubs each year. Understandably then, the awards are very competitive.
The ideal candidate is an "all-around" person, not just an academic star. A prime consideration for awarding this scholarship is whether, while abroad, an Ambassadorial Scholar can be expected to promote international understanding by being an outstanding representative of Rotary International and their country as "Ambassadors of Good Will." Their appearances before Rotary Clubs and districts, schools, civic organizations and other forums, scholars represent their country. They are expected to do the same on return to their country, and to share their experiences with people of their sponsoring districts through talks to local Rotary Clubs and other groups.
Serving on your committee this year in addition to myself, are Marvin Levin and David Rimer. Any other Rotarians who are interested in this major Rotary program, please contact either of us at any time.
Our committee already has one applicant who appears to be an outstanding individual. Applicants must have their applications delivered to your committee by March 15, 2005 for filing with the District or before April 15th.
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E. BELMONT HERRING
CHAIRMAN, SANTA MONICA ROTARY CLUB
AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE