Senior psychology major Emily Fleck, co-President of Alpha Chi and an inductee in last year’s ceremony, was awarded a national fellowship from Alpha Chi. Emily is the second Blackburn student in recent years to win a national fellowship from Alpha Chi; English major Rhett Blankenship won the Robert W. Sledge Fellowship in 2020. She was awarded the H.Y. Benedict Fellowship, which is for seniors attending graduate school in the fall. Emily shared her thoughts about winning the award.
She stated, “Recently, I was awarded a $3,000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for graduate school through Alpha Chi, the National College Honor Society. This fellowship will help cover some of the costs of my graduate education, which I plan to pursue in the Fall of 2022. When I was notified that I had won a fellowship, I was in complete shock, yet overjoyed. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Karen Dillon, Blackburn’s Alpha Chi Sponsor, and Dr. Trisha Prunty, Professor of Psychology, who were both instrumental in the application process. I would not have been chosen for this award had it not been for their gracious support. To anyone who thinks that it is impossible to win a scholarship or fellowship via a national honor society-I am here to tell you that it is possible! Work hard, take advantage of opportunities, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You never know what could be in store!”