Recruited specifically to use a Fort Valley State University education as a launchpad to make a major difference in the world, the first Global Innovators Scholarship winners took their first steps as official Wildcats along with other new students last week. This week, they dove headfirst into classes, determined to aggressively pursue scholarship even as they are already planning future study abroad experiences.

Global Innovators are winners of a competitive scholarship which includes up to $40,000 for tuition, room, board, fees, and other academic expenses, in addition to $2,000 for international study and $500 to pursue a customized passion project, such as research, creative exploration, or entrepreneurship. Students were selected based on their grade point average, demonstrated leadership, and interviews on campus this past February. The average grade point average for the Global Innovators was 3.8 on a 4.0 scale.

The inaugural class of Global Innovators is comprised of Lindsay Corbin from Arabia Mountain High School in Lithonia, Georgia, Neariah Freeman from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia; Camille Saunders from Heritage High School in Conyers, Georgia; and Lauren Wartley from Harris High School in Hamilton, Georgia.

Dr. Paul Jones and other campus leaders, including faculty, administration, and student leaders, showed their commitment to support the future trailblazers during a reception designed to introduce them to the campus community and help them meet the FVSU family members who will guide them on their journey to greatness.

“They are amazing young ladies who we know are just going to transform the world,” said Jones. “No pressure,” he added laughingly.

Demonstrating the leadership qualities that helped her land the scholarship, Corbin came ready with a prepared speech expressing both gratitude and expectation.

“I just want to thank all of you for your dedication and for the opportunity that you have given me to gain a top level education as Vet Tech major in the Agricultural Department,” Corbin said. ” My goals of owning a mixed animal practice building prosthetics for animals all while studying abroad would not be possible  without the Global Innnovators Scholarship.  Without your efforts I would not be standing here before you today.  You have already made a difference in my life.  Now I want to do the very best that I can to help make a difference and improve the lives of others.”

Active in robotics, Corbin’s academic mindset is focused on her ultimate career goal of combining engineering and agriculture to create new innovations such as animal prosthetics. She also wants to work to decrease world hunger and improve living standards.

Saunders is studying mathematics en route to an engineering career, and participates in FVSU’s reknowned and challenging CDEP program, known for preparing students for internships and permanent placement with major energy companies or government agencies. FVSU, she says, has already pushed her into seeing herself with greater leadership potential.

Freeman has already built relationships with faculty members, who have taken a special interest in ensuring that she is taking the right mixture of classes which can accelerate her learning. The future pediatric oncologist is studying biology and ultimately wants to work with underprivileged children. She is extremely excited about the opportunity to study abroad.

Wartley is an animal science major. Her goal is to see the world as a traveling physician– specifically, a trauma surgeon specializing in disaster medicine. She also looks forward to further mastering her language love, Spanish. She sees herself as a problem solver.