HP Graduate Speaks About Experience as Rotary Scholar in Ireland
Meg Black, a Murray State University Honors Program graduate and Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship Award recipient, recently returned from a year at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.
She attributed her opportunities and success to the Honors Program. “I was able to attend Trinity because of the Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship - a scholarship I wouldn't have known about had it not been for Warren Edminster, director of the Honors Program,” she said via email. “Dr. Edminster helped put me in contact with the Rotary club and served as an advisor throughout the process. Without the Honors Program at MSU, I would not have been able to attend Trinity College for my postgraduate degree."
Black said her courses at Trinity were similar to the Honors Program seminars in their discussion and size. “The Honors thesis requirement also prepared me for writing my dissertation,” she said.
Although the majority of Black’s time in Ireland was spent studying for school, Black also attended the Rotary District 1160 Annual Conference and spoke at Rotary clubs in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Meg Black exchanging Rotary Flags with the local club.
The highlights of her trip, Black said, were her involvement with her local Rotary Club meetings and the opportunities that came with a city of Dublin’s size.
“The meetings gave me the opportunity to see Ireland and meet some incredible people I wouldn't have otherwise gotten to know,” Black said. Through involvement with her club, she said, Black was able to participate in and plan various service projects.
While In Dublin she was able to take part in the breaking of a world record. Black was one of the 3,657 Wallys gathered together for a world Record. “Where’s Wally?” is a popular book, known in the United States as “Where’s Waldo?”
Meg Black as “Wally”
Black said being involved is one of the best ways young students can become competitive for prestigious scholarship opportunities.
“When I applied for the scholarship, the committee asked me about my involvement at my university and in my community,” she said. “It's likely that having a resume that has participation in both these areas, particularly leadership involvement, would appeal to many committees.”