2024—Phillip Bonsu
Phillip Bonsu is a rising third-year from Ashburn, Virginia, pursuing a B.S. in Global Public Health & Data Science on the pre-medical track. He intends to continue his education after graduation by attending medical school. He aspires to become a pediatrician to enhance the accessibility, equity, and transparency of healthcare in his home country of Ghana and the U.S. In addition to his academic pursuits, Phillip currently serves as the Secretary for the Iota Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Community Service Chair & Director of Outreach for the Organization of African Students (OAS). Phillip also holds the roles of Peer Advisor for the Office of African American Affairs and Fellow for the Meriwether Lewis Institute for Citizens Leadership, class of 2026.
During our interview with Phillip, we gained deeper insight into his significant work supporting young Black and West African students. As Community Service Chair & Director of Outreach for OAS, he is actively involved in helping them navigate the college admissions process, prepare for the SAT and ACT, and establish valuable mentorship networks. This includes facilitating connections that pair UVA students with young students in the Charlottesville community and fostering meaningful mentorship relationships. Additionally, Phillip is spearheading the initiative of a Big Sibling/Little Sibling mentorship and tutoring program. This initiative, a collaboration with UVA’s Equity Center and the StarrHill Program, aims to empower UVA students from the OAS and the broader university community to mentor, tutor, and guide Charlottesville students virtually and in person. Phillip is designing this program to be offered free of charge, with transportation provided, to ensure consistent and inclusive opportunities for both the UVA students and mentees, ensuring they can meet consistently. Furthermore, Phillip shared insights about being a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he and his fraternity brothers organize fundraisers to provide scholarship opportunities for UVA students and volunteer as teacher assistants weekly at Charlottesville schools.
2023—Rachel Moore
We are excited to award the 7th Quentin Alcorn Memorial Scholarship to Rachel Moore, a rising 4th year from Virginia Beach, Virginia pursuing a B.S. in Youth & Social Innovation with a concentration in Policy. After graduation she plans to work in Healthcare Administration in a pediatric hospital and has goals to make healthcare more transparent, equitable, and accessible for all. Rachel is a leader in her sorority, serving as Vice President of Membership Experience and Vice President of Operations for Pi Beta Phi. She has also been an Operations Coordinator for Camp Kesem at UVA, a Healthcare Administration Intern at the Charlottesville Free Clinic, and a Program Director for the Madison House “Walking Bus” Program.
In our interview with Rachel, it was apparent how much she gives back to the UVA and Charlottesville communities. When Covid-19 limited students’ abilities to interact with UVA staff, Rachel began writing hand-written thank you notes dedicated to the housekeeping and dining staff that she felt were underappreciated. Since then, she has grown this effort to include other UVA students and has written letters to over 600 faculty & staff members. Additionally, as director for a volunteer program called “Walking Bus”, Rachel has led and grown a program that walks children to elementary school who do not have bus access due to a driver shortage. Finally, Rachel leads fundraising efforts and designs the schedule for Camp Kesem, which is a free, one-week, sleepaway camp for children in the Charlottesville area who have been affected by a guardian’s cancer. Her selfless service in the UVA and Charlottesville communities make her a well-deserving recipient of this year’s scholarship!
2022—Kevin Kelley
Kevin is from Roanoke, VA and received his B.A. in Public Policy and Leadership with a minor in Japanese Language and Literature in 2023. He is a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, having earned the title of Marine at Officer Candidates School in Quantico, VA the summer before his fourth year. He now attends law school and will serve as a judge advocate upon bar passage.
During his time at UVA, Kevin was captain and president of the Men’s Rugby Team from 2020–2023, leading the club to two postseason berths and doubling membership. Kevin was also president of Delta Upsilon fraternity from 2021–2022, hosting the chapter’s centennial celebration (1922–2022). He represented the Batten school as a judge on the University Judiciary Board during his fourth year, after serving as an educator for the committee earlier in his first two years at the university.
2021—Alexis Foster
Alexis is a rising third-year from Chesapeake, Virginia majoring in Commerce with a minor in Public Policy and Leadership. She intends to continue her education after graduation by attending law school. In addition to her academic pursuits, Alexis currently serves as Treasurer and Fundraising Committee Co-Chair for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and as Vice-Chair for the Financial Accessibility Committee in UVA’s Student Council. Alexis has also served as UVA’s Football Manager and interns with UVA Athletic Marketing. Alexis also volunteers her time with Rise Together with students in the Charlottesville Community.
Getting to know Alexis better during our interview, we talked a lot about the great work she’s doing to help demystify and provide resources for college affordability. Serving as Vice-Chair for the Financial Accessibility Committee in its first year of existence, she helped to create and publish ‘The Guide to Being Not-Rich at UVA,’ which serves as a centralized resource for low-income students regarding housing, tuition, dining and more. Additionally, Alexis is also working on hosting SNAP and Medicaid workshops, and a textbook affordability program. Alexis also spoke to us about being a sister of AKA since recently being reintroduced back on Grounds. In an official capacity, she’s helping her sorority navigate the creation of a budget and a fundraising plan. However, what resonated most with the committee was how much she loves being a part of a tight-knit group of sisters, especially as the University starts to reopen. This idea of sisterhood further inspired Alexis to be the Founder of Undergraduate Women in Law, which will officially begin in Fall 2021.
2020—Carson Coulbourn
Carson is a third-year student from Richmond, Virginia pursuing degrees in Statistics and Religious Studies. In addition to her rigorous coursework, she serves as the philanthropy chair for her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, works at the Fitzroy on the downtown mall, and volunteers as an usher at Christ Episcopal Church.
In our interview with Carson, her passion for others was highlighted in every topic we discussed. Not only was she passionate about her sorority’s philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental, but she actively promotes other organizations that support suicide awareness and domestic violence prevention. Carson is working to break down the negative stereotypes of Greek organizations by helping others foster deep friendships that extend beyond the social scene. She believes that showing vulnerability is a vital foundation to forming deep relationships and plans on promoting a mental health initiative in the fall. We look forward to seeing Carson continue her positive impact on the Richmond and Charlottesville communities and are excited to announce her as our 2020 Quentin Alcorn Memorial Scholarship Recipient.
2019—Meghna Shankar
Meghna is a fourth-year student from Chantilly, Virginia. She’ll graduate in May 2020 with majors in Biology and Spanish, as well as a minor in Entrepreneurship. Meghna serves as the president of the Biology Society at UVA and is a Girl Scout Troop Leader in the Charlottesville community. After graduation, Meghna plans to pursue a career in healthcare & life sciences, recently accepting a full-time offer at a life sciences consulting firm in Durham, NC.
In another record-setting year in total applicants, Meghna’s application stood out from the rest as it highlighted her academic success, as well as her leadership experience and volunteer work in the UVA and Charlottesville communities. In particular, Meghna founded Girl Scout Troop #3121, which builds upon the traditional Girl Scout experience by incorporating STEM-related activities and merit badges into its curriculum. In addition to her work as a Troop Leader, Meghna is a member of Kappa Delta and has served in multiple leadership roles in her sorority. As an Asian-American, she has openly shared her experience as a minority in Greek life with her fellow sisters in order to promote more conversation and inclusivity. Meghna is an immaculate example for those around her, and we are proud to award her the scholarship for the 2019 school year.
2018—Augusta Durham
Augusta is a fourth-year student from Reston, VA completing a Distinguished Major in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS), as well as majoring in Global Development Studies and minoring in African American Studies. She currently serves as President of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and was previously their VP of Communications.
Among the 65 applications the committee received, the most ever in this scholarship’s short history, Augusta stood out for her leadership and ability to affect change as the President of Pi Phi. When asked to share a time she helped a sister in need, Augusta described her role in promoting events that assist sisters in accomplishing their academic, professional and personal goals. She created programs such as Pies for Professors, which fosters stronger ties to UVA’s academic community and Desserts and Dialogue, which encourages sisters to share effective ways to navigate life at UVA and beyond as they search for internships and jobs. Outside of Pi Phi, Augusta serves as an assistant in UVA’s WGS and Anthropology Departments and works as an intern at the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center, which develops female leaders who work on social justice issues. In her spare time, Augusta creates ‘niche Spotify playlists’ and makes ‘delicious crepes’ that are undoubtedly served at Pi Phi’s Desserts and Dialogue discussions.
2017—Gabby Struckell
Gabby is a fourth-year Neuroscience Major, Dance Minor from Dallas, TX. She enjoys seeking out opportunities of combining her interest in the neuroscience field with her passion for dance and creativity. She loves engaging with the Charlottesville community and has truly found a home at UVA. Gabby is also a proud member of the Virginia Epsilon Chapter of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women.
After joining Pi Phi in the Spring of 2015, Gabby knew that she wanted to be involved in shaping the future of the chapter. She was elected Vice President of Fraternity Development in the Spring of 2016. As VPFD, Gabby enjoyed planning initiation for the new members, and educating the chapter about fraternity heritage, spreading a passion for ceremony and ritual. In the Spring of 2017, Gabby was elected Chapter President and since has enjoyed the position thoroughly. Her favorite part of the job is connecting with chapter members and hearing their ideas to make the chapter a comfortable place for everyone. She also enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with other chapter presidents in the ISC, IFC, MGC, and the NPHC. Gabby was very excited to hear that she was awarded this scholarship, and is so thankful to the selection committee.
2016—Joe Sweeney
With unanimous selection, we are honored to present the 2016 Quent Alcorn Scholarship to Joe Sweeney.
Joe is a third-year Systems Engineering student from Evergreen, CO, and a brother of Tau Kappa Epsilon.
As a brother of TKE, Joe has served as brotherhood chairman, president, treasurer and philanthropy chair. He joined TKE, a relatively new fraternity on Grounds, because he knew he “could be a part of something great and offer his time and abilities to better the fraternity”. For his outstanding dedication and selfless-service towards his fraternity, Joe received the regions “Best New Member” award from TKE national headquarters and the “Emerging Leader” award from the Interfraternity Council at UVA.