Two members of UB's incoming freshman class of 2014 have been awarded full academic scholarships through the UB Buffalo Partnership Scholars Program (BPSP), an organization that provides Buffalo Public School students academic opportunities regardless of financial need.
Madeleine Burns, a freshman communication major, and Natalya Burgess, a freshman biology major, have been rewarded full tuition for up to four consecutive years of undergraduate study at UB, an annual $600 book stipend and vouchers for a laptop computer of their choice.
Burns and Burgess, both City Honors School graduates, received the scholarships in recognition of their academic excellence and civil service contributions.
"I cried when I opened the letter saying I had received the scholarship," Burgess said. "It was such a relief knowing that I would be able to attend UB without the financial burden."
BPSP scholars must maintain a 3.0 grade point average throughout their four years at UB and are expected to participate in community service activities and leadership training.
The recipients will work with the BPSP program and serve as student ambassadors in an effort to expose students in the Buffalo Public Schools to some of the resources available to them if they succeed in high school, regardless of their financial status.
"I am thankful to be a part of this scholarship program, not only for the financial freedom it provides," Burns said. "I am also very grateful for the opportunity to give back by being an active member in the UB community as well as the local community."
President John B. Simpson and Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools, James A. Williams, formalized the UB/BPSP partnership in 2006. The aim was to increase the number of Buffalo students who are prepared to study in college through the mobilization and coordination of UB's diverse resources.
"The BPSP Scholars Program has been a real asset during my time at UB," said Adrian Guadalupe, a junior accounting major and first round BPSP scholarship recipient. "It goes without saying that having your full tuition covered is tremendously helpful, but also everything that comes with being a scholar builds your character."
Since the UB/BPSP program began in 2008, six students from Buffalo Public Schools have benefited from the scholarship program.
"All of us have to go through leadership training, give back to the community, and help promote the scholarship," Guadalupe said. "Through those experiences you can really learn a lot about yourself and what it takes to deserve an honor like this."
The program is managed by Teresa Barrett from the UB Center for Educational Collaboration and is still fairly new but Barrett hopes that it will expand in time.
"I wish more Buffalo Public School students would apply," Barrett said. "I am really going to put my marketing skills to use this year by contacting more guidance counselors and school administrators in order to get the word out and increase the applicant pool."
