McConnell Scholars Service Event: Habitat for Humanity

By Sarah Stovall, Class of 2014

Sarah Stovall meets CIA Director David Petraeus

There are a lot of impressive things about the McConnell Scholars Program. As I look back over the past two years, I am honored by the opportunities afforded to us by the McConnell Center. Even in the past month, we have met CIA Director David Petraeus and Aung San Suu Kyi, an inspirational advocate for democracy and leader of the NLD party in the Burmese parliament. As grateful as I am for having the privilege of meeting both of these excellent leadership figures, something even more impressive still has been the way the McConnell Scholars have stepped up in the area of service.

Along with Leadership and Scholarship, Service is one of the the core tenants of the McConnell Scholars Program. But, in the past two years, much has been done on the part of the Scholars to make service a more significant part of the Scholars program. In my opinion, the effectiveness of the other two core tenets, Leadership and Scholarship, is dependent upon Service. Having the opportunity, then, to engage in service projects like working on a Habitat for Humanity build site with my fellow scholars, is one of the most meaningful experiences I have had as a McConnell Scholar. And I hope that, as the McConnell Scholars Program continues, it will continue to expand its appreciation of the meaningfulness of serving the community together.