Celebrating excellence

By Maeve McQueeny-Lynch[email protected]08-22-2024

At the recent Office of Academic Enhancement (OAE)'s annual Stamps Scholars Welcome Breakfast at the Donna E. Shalala Student Center, the University of Miami celebrated this year's five incoming Stamps Scholars and the program that made their dreams possible.

During the Aug. 13 event, University leaders-including Maria Galli Stampino, dean of undergraduate affairs; Kathi Kern, senior vice provost for education; Melvin Butler, associate dean at OAE for undergraduate affairs; and Michael Gaines, assistant provost of undergraduate research and community outreach-congratulated the scholars on their achievements and challenged them to make the most of their time at the University and use their education to change the world.

The Stamps Scholars Program was founded by E. Roe Stamps, IV, and his late wife, Penny, in 2006 to empower extraordinary students to achieve their greatest potential, regardless of financial need. Today, the program operates in partnership with 36 institutions of higher education in the United States and United Kingdom.

Stamps Scholars are afforded the full cost of attendance for four years of undergraduate study- with study abroad allowances, undergraduate research support, internship opportunities, and leadership training. They join a community of more than 1,000 students and graduate scholars worldwide, with some members going on to earn Rhodes, Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall, Beinecke, and National Science Foundation scholarships.

The Stamps Scholarship is the University's most prestigious merit award available to students. Students selected for this life-changing opportunity come from across the globe and are driven by unique passions, yet they share a profound gratitude to the benefactor behind it.

Sofia Belisário Costa came to the University from Manhuaçu, Brazil, to study environmental engineering.

"I lived in the countryside of Brazil, in the rainforest zone of the state of Minas Gerais, so I've always been in close contact with nature. As time went on, I started to notice how human activities-like excessive deforestation and general pollution-were progressively destroying my home, exacerbating the effects of floods, and amplifying rates of respiratory disease."

She wanted to do something about it. She decided to pursue a degree in environmental engineering, hoping to one day launch a startup dedicated to creating affordable, sustainable technology to improve the lives of those facing natural catastrophes and climate change.

She chose the University of Miami College of Engineering for its diversity, culture of entrepreneurship, small class sizes, distinguished faculty, and one of the highest concentrations nationwide of female engineering students.

"The Stamps Scholarship was a true blessing because it showed me that someone genuinely believed in my aspirations, my career goals, and that I could create something that could positively impact the lives of others," Belisário said. "Through this scholarship, I was not only able to receive financial support, mentorship, research opportunities, and professional opportunities, but I was also able to realize my childhood dream of studying in the United States-and at my dream school.

"I want to extend my sincerest gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to expand my horizons and embark on this journey as a Stamps Scholar. This exceptional community of scholars inspires me, and I will strive to make the most of the opportunity you have provided me."

For Samantha Geist, from Los Altos, California, the University of Miami felt like a perfect place to become a stronger advocate in the community.

She first became involved in local activism following the COVID-19 pandemic. Seeing a need to create accessible social opportunities for local children, she launched community art camps that reached hundreds of children and quickly became a potent social-impact organization.

She chose the University for its vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrated commitment to community building, and dedication to creating an inclusive environment for all. She is currently studying entrepreneurship at the Miami Herbert Business School.

Geist said the Stamps Scholarship Program has opened her eyes to the impact that individuals can have. Inspired by the excellent work that Stamps Scholars are doing globally, she wants to leverage the power of the scholarship to accomplish extraordinary things.

"I feel that I have merely dipped my toes into the realm of possibility that this scholarship program offers, but I'm already astonished at its extensive professional and personal resources, broad network of advisors and fellow Stamps Scholars, and countless opportunities and support," Geist said.

"Thank you for believing in the potential of dreamers across the globe to improve the future of our communities and empowering us to discover more about our own academic and social capacities. I hope one day I can show you in actions, not just words, that the time and money you spent investing in my future were worth every penny."

In addition to Costa and Geist, this year's incoming Stamps Scholars and their areas of interest include Syed Aun Abbas, of Lahore, Pakistan, biology; Kaitlyn Hancock, of Wantagh, New York, microbiology and immunology; and Michelle Zhang, of Wilmington, Delaware, neuroscience.