The McConnell Scholar Ambition

By Sarah Stovall, Class of 2014

Sarah Stovall

Because the McConnell Scholars Program recruits some of the best and brightest student leaders in KY, it is not surprising that they would be an ambitious lot. This ambition fosters a certain camaraderie amongst the Scholars that encourages each to strive for excellence. It is a common occurrence in the Weber Lounge to hear one Scholar telling another about an opportunity they should apply for, or offering congratulations on a recent achievement. A Scholar that is interested in a particular opportunity, such as a scholarship or study abroad program, is often able to consult another Scholar that has previous experience with it and can offer advice and guidance.

This aspect of the program is one of the most valuable for the Scholars, but it is also the aspect that has the most impact on the university, in my opinion. To come to this conclusion, one only has to analyze the other ways McConnell Scholars are involved on campus. Although the Scholars are a really small group relative to the number of full-time undergraduate students at UofL, they occupy a disproportionally large number of the leadership positions on campus. From SGA to SAB, Greek Life to service organizations, it is rare to find a major organization on campus that does not have at least one McConnell Scholar in some leadership position.

This culture of ambition has carried on to the newest class of Scholars, several of whom have already been selected into the most competitive opportunities for UofL freshmen, accepted bids to join various Greek organizations, taken up leadership positions within the Scholars program, and have altogether already been quite successful in making a place for themselves here at the university. As a senior and as Chair of the McConnell Scholars, I am proud of their achievements so far, in addition to the accomplishments of the sophomore, junior and senior classes, and the legacy of leadership that the Scholars are continuing to build at UofL.

Sarah Stovall, of Bowling Green, Ky., is a senior McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville. She is studying political science, economics and creative writing.