University Honors: Bennie wins Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship
Chris Pepple |
Lipscomb senior Rebecca Bennie is among twenty-seven Alpha Chi National College Honor Society members who have been named recipients of the society’s fellowship and scholarships, worth a total of $62,500, for the upcoming 2009-10 school year. Bennie, a law, justice, and society major with a double minor in English and theater, was named the winner of the Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship, with a stipend of $1,500.
Bennie was selected by Lipscomb as one of two students to nominate for the award. Charla Long, executive director for the Institute of Law, Justice, and Society, wrote Bennie’s letter of recommendation for the scholarship. Bennie submitted an academic paper titled Victim-Offender Reconciliation describing the history and current status of Victim-Offender Reconciliation Programs (VORPs) across the U.S. and in Middle Tennessee. Bennie also analyzed how she could further these mediation programs.
“I was ecstatic when I found out I was going to be a recipient of the Nolle Scholarship. I am studying abroad at Oxford University in the fall, and I found out recently that my Presidential Scholarship from Lipscomb would not apply. This scholarship really takes a lot of the pressure off studying-abroad, and now I can focus on how excited I am. I am finishing my English minor at Oxford, and I am thrilled to be studying where many brilliant scholars have learned and taught. Of course, I am very honored as well. Alpha Chi is a prestigious society, and these scholarships are very competitive. Being chosen as a recipient is mind blowing. My parents and the Lipscomb faculty have been so supportive during this whole process. I cannot express my gratitude enough,” said Bennie.
During her time at Lipscomb, Bennie has kept a balance between academics and extracurricular activities. “When I am not studying for classes, I love to keep myself busy with the goings-on at Lipscomb. I have been a senator in our student government since my freshman year, and this year I took on the extra responsibility of Spiritual Life Committee Chair. I am also the vice-president of Phi Alpha Delta, Lipscomb’s pre-law club. Because Lipscomb offers so many different majors for those interested in law school, I am glad there is a club where we can all provide a support group for each other when we take the LSAT or apply for law schools. Many of my pre-law friends are also in our Honors Program with me. My experience at Lipscomb has been amazing. The academic rigor of my major and minors are challenging but not overwhelming. My extracurricular activities have introduced me to a wide range of people who have all made my college life one-of-a-kind,” added Bennie.
Alpha Chi has active chapters at some 300 institutions in almost every state and in Puerto Rico. Inducting no more than the top 10 percent of juniors, seniors, and graduate students in all academic fields, the society registers approximately 11,000 new members each year.