Virginia Tech's University Honors students have long been known for their outstanding academic achievements and service to the community, and three new recipients of sophomore scholarships are no exception.

This year’s winners of the sophomore Honors scholarships are:

David Grant of Burke, Va., is the recipient of the Class of 1954 Scholarship. During the final two years of their undergraduate studies, this award provides exemplary Honors students with unusual academic and personal opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom and campus. Grant, a triple major in religious studies, political science, and Spanish, plans to visit and study in the Israel and Palestine territories; the American University in Cairo, Egypt; and Jordan.

John Helveston of Chesapeake, Va., is the recipient of the Wayne and Claire Horton Honors Scholarship. This award was created for outstanding students in the College of Engineering who also have a major or minor in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. The goal of the award is to provide financial assistance for tuition, room and board, as well as provide recipients with the resources necessary to design and fulfill a major educational experience that gives focus and direction to their undergraduate efforts. Helveston, an engineering science and mechanics major with minors in violin performance and Asian area studies, has planned a six month experience in Tianjin, China to learn more about the language and culture of the country. During his stay Helveston plans to conduct research on fuel cells.

James Mills of Roanoke, Va., is the recipient of the Jerry and Leslie Gough Scholarship. This scholarship was established by the Goughs after their son, Conor, graduated from Virginia Tech and University Honors. Students wishing to pursue this scholarship must be planning a career in medicine. The Gough scholarship seeks to afford recipients the opportunity to design an experience that will enhance his or her awareness of medicine as a career. Mills, a biochemistry and chemistry major, plans to visit and volunteer at two health centers and one hospital near the U.S.-Mexico border to learn more about problems related to accessible healthcare for immigrants.

Each recipient worked for nearly a year to create portfolios of original writings, drawings, photographs, and other reflections for their respective scholarship of choice. Though there are several phases to the selection process, the final phase includes a candidate interview with a selection committee established for each scholarship. Five candidates were interviewed for the Class of 1954 scholarship; three candidates for the Wayne and Claire Horton Honors scholarship; and three for the Jerry and Leslie Gough scholarship.

“Each candidate worked diligently in accomplishing his or her goals, and each of them embodies the spirit and determination that makes Virginia Techs Honors students so exceptional. . . the university is the real winner here with students like these,” said University Honors program director, Jack Dudley.

Founded in 1872 as a land-grant college, Virginia Tech is the most comprehensive university in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is among the top research universities in the nation. Today, Virginia Tech’s eight colleges are dedicated to quality, innovation, and results through teaching, research, and outreach activities. At its 2,600-acre main campus located in Blacksburg and other campus centers in Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia, Hampton Roads, Richmond, and Roanoke, Virginia Tech enrolls more than 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries in 180 academic degree programs.

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