In the fall of 2007, a special group of six freshmen entered Emory University. They were the first in the Goizueta BBA Scholars Program, which provides a financial scholarship and a personalized learning experience to exceptional high school students with a demonstrated interest in business.
Typically, undergraduates apply to Goizueta for enrollment their junior year, but Goizueta Scholars are guaranteed admission to the BBA program as soon as they enroll at Emory. In addition to special Scholars events and seminars, they are included in all events, activities, and programming open to BBA students. An average of four students are enrolled in the program each year.
Seniors graduating in May are Brandon Walker 16BBA (associate, Boston Consulting Group), Ellie Hattrich 16BBA (project manager, Paradowski Creative), and Sumaali Chheda 16BBA (actuarial associate, PwC). “When I entered the Scholars Program, I had only expected a financial scholarship, but I have received much more,” says Chheda. “It is inspiring to be a part of the Scholars community—everyone has incredible talents and continues to achieve success in so many different ways.”
As the BBA Scholars Program continues to attract the brightest business-minded freshmen, the inaugural class prepares to celebrate another milestone. This fall, they’ll gather to mark the fifth anniversary of their graduation. The reunion will take place September 23–25, 2016. (Pictured above are the current Scholars.)
Libby Egnor, assistant dean for the BBA program, oversees the selection of the Scholars and notes that the program sets students up to stretch themselves academically and personally. “You have freshman in the same class as seniors. From their very first semester, these students see what is possible,” she says. “They all take on different projects, but the program creates an expectation that they have the opportunity to do something at Emory beyond the norm. These students come to us already so talented, but the Goizueta Scholars Program helps them rise even higher in terms of leadership and achievement.”—MF
