Northern Arizona Student Receives $15,000 Scholarship

Washington, DC, December 03, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Northern Arizona University student Hesham Elnagar is the recipient of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) 15th Anniversary Commemorative Scholarship.

Elnagar, a native of Henderson, Nev., graduated summa cum laude from Northern Arizona University in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in music and a minor in mathematics. He is currently a first-year graduate student working toward a Master of Arts degree in music.

The NSCS 15th Anniversary Commemorative Scholarship was created to celebrate the Society’s 15-year commitment to scholarship, leadership and service. NSCS is an honors organization that invites high-achieving first- and second-year college students at 240 universities across the country.

Scholarship applicants were required to write an essay outlining an issue they were passionate about, and the unique contribution they had made to society or their community. Elnagar’s exceptional essay addressed his passion for service-learning and the work he was doing to help develop and expand his passion to make a significant contribution to the world.

“Service learning is a passion of mine because of the avenues students, community members and educators can take in connecting all citizens of a community or society with the needs of that society,” Elnagar said. “I hope to pursue a doctorate in education to understand more thoroughly the relationship between teaching and service learning.”

Elnagar brings his passion for service learning to his NSCS chapter each day. He was president and co-founder of the NAU NSCS chapter, established a successful student mentoring program still being used today, and organized a campus-wide letter writing campaign addressing Arizona’s higher education budget restrictions.

“NSCS was a great avenue to explore some of the ideas I had in classes I was taking about education and experimental learning,” said Elnagar. “I was able to execute the ideas I had through NSCS and the chapter at NAU and the service initiatives we engaged in.”

NSCS founder and executive director, Stephen E. Loflin began the Society to recognize students who had made a successful transition to college and provide them with scholarships, leadership development, service and career opportunities.

“We have come a long way in 15 years,” said Loflin. “With more programs, scholarships and career connections than ever, we are making a greater impact on our members and helping them to reach their goals. Hesham’s passion for service learning and education demonstrate the ideals we hope to encourage in our members. We are very proud to be able to provide him financial support to help him achieve his goals.”

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