BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A total of $7,500 in scholarship money will be
awarded to six University at Buffalo students during the UB Alumni
Association scholarship dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday,
Feb. 3, in the Center for Tomorrow on the North Campus.
Four students will receive J. Scott Fleming Scholarships.
Established in 1985 as a student-to-student scholarship to
recognize full-time undergraduate and graduate students for their
leadership efforts, through extracurricular and volunteer
activities, the awards have helped to promote student involvement
and enhance the student experience at UB. In 1991 the $500 awards
were renamed after J. Scott Fleming, who served as executive
director of the Office of Alumni Relations and who exemplified the
spirit of involving students, whom he called "alumni-in-residence."
The recipients are:
-- Nathanael David Carbrey, of Williamsville, N.Y., who is
pursuing a combined bachelor's and master's degree in accounting.
While serving as president of Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting honors
society, more than $1 million was refunded to the local Buffalo
community through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. He
has competed for the society in seven UB-sponsored case
competitions with two first-place, three second-place and one
third-place finish. Carbrey is also a co-founder and active member
of UB for Christ.
-- Grace Mukupa, a native of Africa who grew up in Asia. A PhD
student in the Global Gender Studies program, Mukupa is president
of the Graduate Student Association, advises two undergraduate
organizations and teaches an undergraduate course on issues
concerning gender in Africa. She presented at the 16th
International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, in December 2011, and since 2010 has served as a
representative to the United Nations to the Economic and Social
Council; Mukupa also volunteers for a number of university- and
community-based organizations.
-- Junior Jovin Panthapattu, of Congers, N.Y., is pursuing a
career in pharmacy. He is the Habitat for Humanity coordinator for
Circle K, a community service club at UB, as well as a resident
advisor. Panthapattu is a research assistant in a pharmacology and
toxicology lab, as well as a senior student assistant in Campus
Living's Residential Education Department. He is a member of the
National Society of Collegiate Scholars and is involved with the
Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement (CSLCE).
-- Jennifer Trapani, of Endwell, N.Y., is a junior pursuing a
bachelor of science degree in biological sciences. As a member of
the Undergraduate Academies Living and Learning Community, her
involvement with the community is extensive, ranging from serving
as a floor leader and peer mentor to serving on its student
advisory board, planning board and as a teaching assistant for its
research exploration seminar. Trapani is a member of the UB STARS
program, conducts campus tours and is engaged in undergraduate
research. Currently her research has significant relevance to the
Great Lakes communities.
The Alumnae Scholarship was created by UB alumnae in 1941, but
lay dormant for decades. The scholarship was reintroduced by the UB
Alumni Association in 2010, and this year's recipient is Lisa
Kulka, from Buffalo, N.Y., a senior studying English and English as
a Second Language (ESL) education. She plans to enroll in UB's
Graduate School of Education this fall to obtain her teacher
certification. Kulka serves as an interpreter-translator, academic
tutor and ESL coordinator assistant for Upgrade Academics Inc., and
is an academic tutor for UB athletic academic services. She has won
numerous awards and scholarships; is a member of a variety of clubs
and societies, including Sigma Tau Delta Leadership Honor Society;
and has studied abroad in Spain.
The 2011 Willie R. Evans UB Alumni Association Legacy
Scholarship recipient is Caitlin Curry, from Williamsville, N.Y.
The Legacy Scholarship assists currently enrolled UB students who
are children or grandchildren of UB alumni who contribute to the
growth and enrichment of the university through active membership
and participation in the alumni association.
Curry is a junior pursuing a bachelor's degree in business
administration with a concentration in international business as
well as a minor in Spanish. A Division I student-athlete on the
cross country and track and field teams, Curry has won the MAC
Commissioner's Award and is on the MAC honor roll. Her father, UBAA
member Daniel Curry, is a 1979 graduate of the School of
Management.
The UBAA is a volunteer-led, international organization that
provides support for, and services to, alumni. The organization
strives to create and promote lifelong bonds with UB graduates, and
works to inspire them to care about the past, present and future of
the university. Together with alumni, UBAA supports UB as one of
America's great public research universities. The UBAA encourages
UB students and alumni to take pride in their college experience
and pass that enthusiasm on to their children, prospective
students, faculty, staff and community.