International Students Awarded Scholarship for Cross-Cultural Understanding By Haley Evans and Pedro Fernandes
Two international students were awarded the 2021 Viji Jeganathan Scholarship for Cross-Cultural Understanding during the Global Impacts Awards Ceremony, recognizing their leadership and ability to bridge cultural differences and promote communication between diverse nationalities at the University of Kentucky.
The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually in memory of former UK student Viji Jeganathan who lost her battle with cancer while attending the university. Originally from Sri Lanka, Jeganathan’s family created the scholarship with funding raised by the community.
Two students were selected as the 2021 recipients:
Alvaro Gonzalez Elias
Elias, an undergraduate student from Peru studying U.S. culture and business practices in the College of Arts and Sciences, has worked to improve a sense of belonging for Latino/Hispanic students. As an officer in the Latino Student Union, he has brought students from different backgrounds together by coordinating programs and dialogues focused on Latin American cultures and traditions as well as cross-cultural engagement.
Kia Markussen
Markussen, a graduate student from Denmark studying biochemistry in the College of Medicine, has demonstrated her commitment to building cross-cultural understanding through work in her department. She serves as the co-chair of the International Students Concerns Committee within the Graduate Student Congress. Her work to advocate for international students on campus and in the community is critical to building understanding across cultures.
Both international and American students are eligible to apply for the Viji Jeganathan Scholarship for Cross-Cultural Understanding. For more information about the scholarship, click here.