2018 Scholarship winner thanks club members

Emily Albert-Stauning provides an update on her first semester on campus in a letter to Twin Cities Illini Club board members and scholarship donors in the winter of 2018.

The Jack Carlson Memorial Twin Cities Illini Club Scholarship winner for 2018 offers an update on her experiences at the University of Illinois and her thoughts on the impact of the scholarship award. You can find her letter to club members below:

Dear Twin Cities Illini:
As my first semester at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my continued gratitude for your support of my academic endeavors. Your financial contribution has allowed me unparalleled opportunities at your alma mater. I hope to continue to embody the qualities of the Jack Carlson Memorial Scholarship throughout my time here at the University.
 

Currently, I am an Honors student, James Scholar, and a member of the Honor Living Learning Community. I am working to pursue an Individualized Plan of Study in Neuroscience and Lyric Theatre as well as a minor in Integrative Biology. I am currently working with the departments of Undergraduate Research and Neuroscience to create my own degree curriculum in neuroscience with a special focus on combing artistic and scientific research. I am working to begin a study between music, media, and neurosciences. I hope to bring this study into fruition in future semesters. In the area of the  fine arts, I currently study with Professor Dawn Harris for Musical Theatre and Classical Voice. I also have been able to take Acting through the School of Theatre. To speak specifically to what my campus Honors Project focus has been this semester, my campus honors class on mass incarceration and the U.S. criminal justice system has allowed me to work on a project regarding the relationship between race, citizenship, and mass incarceration. My work has focused on researching various legislative solutions that address the intersection of these topics. I look to our presentation seminar that will be held at the end of this semester for the honors students and honors deans. My exploration of various topics in my first semester at the University has allowed me to discover a passion for science, policy, and the arts. I look forward to further exploring these interests and clarifying how I can best use my knowledge to benefit our community.
 

During my time at the University, I have been elected as a member of the James Scholars Advisory Board as well as a Fine and Applied Arts Ambassador. Additionally, I am also a proud member of the University Speech and Debate Team. I was fortunate to have taken first place in Dramatic Interpretation, third place in Program of Oral Interpretation, and second place in Individual Sweepstakes at the National Bradley University Speech Tournament this November, our first tournament of the season.
 

For future semesters, I’m currently investigating various fellowships and internships available to undergraduate students. I am hopeful to begin planning a benefit concert through my charity program Hope For a Better Day in the upcoming semester, now that I have a better footing around the campus community. I also hope to become involved in Lyric Theatre and productions on campus, as they become available to my class for the first time next semester.
 

Thank you for your investment in my passions and my future. Wishing you all the best!
 

Sincerely,

Emily Albert-Stauning