Just a week before graduation, government and communications major Brin Enterkin received news that she was chosen from among a pool of more than 1,000 current college seniors nationwide as first place recipient of the William E. Simon Fellowship for Noble Purpose Grant of $40,000.
A Fayetteville, Ga., native, Enterkin decided to donate the entire grant to the non-profit organization she founded, the African SOUP (Sponsorship of Orphans in Uganda Project). The funds will go toward building housing for orphans on the campus of an existing SOUP-funded school campus in Isita, Uganda. The SOUP has already built a school, provided textbooks, uniforms, medical care and daily meals for over 250 children.
“I am truly humbled that we were considered in the final round for this grant,” Enterkin said. “This can create such a strong future for the SOUP and allows us to help so many more children. It’s just really a phenomenal opportunity.”
She is headed to Costa Rica in June to work on a project for economic development for the Sullivan Foundation. Afterward, she begins a one-year fellowship with the Woodruff Foundation in Atlanta.
The Noble Purpose Grant is given each year by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute to a graduating college senior who has demonstrated passion, dedication, a high capacity for self-direction, and originality in pursuit of a goal that will strengthen civil society. In addition to Enterkin, a Cornell University student was awarded $20,000 and a Duke University student was awarded $10,000.
The SOUP will continue under the direction of two Berry students as they work to expand their reach to other colleges to provide Ugandan orphans with proper physical, emotional and educational needs.
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Written by Student Public Relations Assistant McKenzie Reeves