At the April 4 reception celebrating the achievements of the first graduating class of Kenan Scholars, senior Jack Amoroso spoke on behalf of his cohort about how much the leadership program has changed over the past three years. The 2019 graduates witnessed the birth of the Kenan Scholars program and have played an instrumental role in its development.
The celebration included a mixer, dinner and photos with graduates, Dean Shackelford and Kenan Institute Advisory Board members.
Kenan Institute Executive Director Greg Brown shared his founding vision for the program – to create a unique opportunity for Kenan-Flagler’s best and brightest students to undertake research and learn how to work at the nexus of the public and private sectors. Kenan Scholars are the embodiment of Frank H. Kenan’s vision for the institute, said Brown, which is to be a convener of leaders in business, policy and academia, working together to address some of society’s biggest challenges.
Dan Drake, president of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Funds, presented each student with a rare copy of the book, “The Meaning of Honor: The Life of Frank Hawkins Kenan.” Students also received tricolor Kenan Scholar graduation chords with strands of Carolina blue, a darker blue representing the Kenan Institute and green symbolizing the scholars’ bright and prosperous futures.
Among the graduates to receive special honors was Jordan Mareno, recipient of the Chancellor Award’s Hampton Shuping Prize for Excellence. Seniors Matt Bravante, Clare Gibbons and Jack Amoroso further distinguished themselves by earning highest honors on their senior honors theses.
Graduating MBA Kenan Scholars also were recognized for their academic accomplishments, including Reinaldo Caravellas, Alex Cooper and Alexander Leedom, all spring 2019 Beta Gamma Sigma Student Honor Society initiates.
Congratulations to all the 2019 Kenan Scholars graduates! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
“We are excited and scared and sad to graduate in a few weeks, but this is not the last time you’ll be seeing us. Because whether we knew it or not when we joined, we’ve started a lifelong relationship with the Kenan Scholars Program.”