AZUSA, Calif.— Reedley, Calif. resident and Azusa Pacific University student Emily Ediger was selected from a field of 17 to represent District 5300 as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar for the 2012−13 academic year.
The scholarship, about $27,000, allows Ediger to travel to South America to further her international knowledge and establish friendly relations among people from a different culture. She is 1 of approximately 500 students who will travel abroad through the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar program in 2012. While abroad, she will serve as a goodwill ambassador to her host country and will give presentations about her homeland to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, Ediger will be able to share the experiences that led to a greater understanding of the culture she was engaged in with others.
“This scholarship allows me to go into another country, delve into the culture, learn firsthand what the prominent issues are and help bring about a solution," said Ediger. "I don't have to do anything big and grand, but I can do at least something.”
A senior Biology major and Honors student, Ediger plans to graduate from APU in 2012. Born in Sullana, Peru, to missionary parents, she was homeschooled through most of her primary, junior high, and high school years. Ediger believes that this scholarship allots her the unique opportunity to do what she seeks to do for the rest of her life, to serve other people to the best of her ability, particularly in places where people are desperately in need.
“Emily's Ambassadorial year will allow her to grow academically and to learn more about how to use her education for the betterment of humanity,” said Robert Duke, Ph.D., assistant professor of biblical studies in Azusa Pacific University's School of Theology and past Rotary Scholar, as well as Ediger's advisor through the application process.
The Rotary Foundation’s oldest and best-known program, Ambassadorial Scholarships, was founded in 1947. Since its establishment, more than 40,000 men and women from approximately 100 countries have studied abroad under its sponsorship. Today it is one of the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships programs. Nearly 700 scholarships were awarded for study in 2009−10. Since the program was created, more than 16.2 million has been given out to hopeful scholars.
