Degree: B.S. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
How did the Stamps Scholarship help shape your undergraduate experience?
The Stamps Scholarship is the greatest gift I have ever received. Without it, I would not have attended Georgia Tech, I would not have become the student, friend, and leader I am today, and the person of significance I hope to become.
The Stamps Foundation gave me freedom. During my time at Tech I was able to live fully, dream wildly, and fail fearlessly. I was able to tackle the issues of fighting human trafficking networks in the deep web at the Naval Academy. I was able to learn to tango and summit the peaks of Patagonia with fellow scholars. Best of all, I was able to focus on improving the lives of others and society as a whole, liberated of financial burden.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self?
Stress is a waste of resources. As a soon-to-be graduate, I now know that failure is nothing but an efficient teacher, and with it comes tremendous personal growth. It is nothing to shy away from, and those stressful times worked out in the end. The time I spent worrying about grades and being a success was lost, when it could have been spent loving and supporting those around me.
Who has had the greatest impact on you throughout your college career and how so?
Professor William J. Todd of the Scheller College of Business has impacted the lives of countless persons, myself included. Professor Todd talked me into attending Georgia Tech, and ever since has been nothing but a shining example of what it means to be “moving forward by giving back.” He lives a life centered around giving of himself, whether it be to government institutions, Georgia Tech, or individuals. He inspires me everyday to love myself, others, and Georgia Tech, and I know he will be a great mentor and friend for years to come.
Please share your most memorable Stamps Scholar experience.
Most memorable for me was the first experience I ever had as a Stamps Scholar, our class expedition to the boundary waters of Minnesota. On one day in particular we experienced wind speeds on the order of 20 mph blowing against us. My paddle partner Austin and I were thrusting our canoe forward with everything we had just to move forward a couple feet. At the end of the day, it was one of the most satisfying feelings of accomplishment just to have made it through that part of the journey.
This turned out to be a great metaphor for life. The greatest things in life come after a great deal of hard work, throwing everything you have into something and coming out on top.
Plans after graduation?
Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company based out of the Atlanta Office.