| Allwein Scholar Update: Shaquel Marshall '18 |
03.04.15 |
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From the city of Baltimore to the sleepy town of Annville, Shaquel Marshall ’18 has lived in a variety of environments. She chose to attend Lebanon Valley College as a double major in sociology and global studies after being awarded the Allwein Scholarship. Though adjusting to life at LVC was admittedly difficult for her, she credits the Office of Multicultural Affairs and their Summer Bridge program for making her feel welcome.
“We were able to come a week before the rest of the freshman and were given mentors and tours of the campus,” said Marshall. “It really helped me a lot, especially when all of the freshmen arrived; it was a big culture shock. My school was predominantly African American, and LVC is not, so that took some getting used to.”
However, thanks to a close group of friends, Marshall is excited to attend and influence LVC. Being one of five inaugural Allwein Scholars sets a high precedent for her, and she intends to follow it up by starting a sorority on campus with friends, though she is presently occupied with maintaining her grades. She feels that a multicultural sorority would help her find her niche on campus.
“We were talking to these guys, and they offered to help us start our own branch of Greek life, and we decided that we want to form a sister sorority for their organization,” said Marshall. “We want to bring some life and culture on campus.”
Furthermore, Marshall plans to use her stipend to study abroad in Italy for a week in May. She will be traveling as part of a course on the culture and food in Italy, and is grateful for the unique opportunity, as this will be her first time leaving the United States.
Marshall’s plans for the future are even more ambitious, as is befitting an Allwein Scholar. She hopes to return to her community in Baltimore and establish a recreation center for area youth, using skills learned in her majors.
“Growing up, I realized that I had way more advantages than most people, especially with all of the opportunities I’ve received,” she said. “I just want to give back to the youth, and share the opportunities that I’ve been given. On the side, I want to open up my own hair salon, but that’s a different story.”
Given the fact that Marshall’s resolve has led to her accomplishing so much already, both seem like equally attainable goals.
The John Bowman Allwein Scholars Program, the College’s most prestigious honor for incoming freshman, is named in honor of Dr. John “Jack” Bowman Allwein, LVC Class of ’56. Dr. Bowman’s legacy includes the largest estate gift to the College in its history. Each fall, several outstanding students are awarded an Allwein Scholarship for all four years at LVC. In addition to the full-tuition scholarship, Allwein Scholars receive a $2,500 stipend for each of the four years for research, travel, or study expenses associated with study abroad, internships, and/or collaborative research. For more information, visit www.lvc.edu/financial-aid/scholarships.aspx.
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