Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2024 Finalists
The Forty Acres Scholars Program announced 53 finalists for the Class of 2024. Finalists were selected from over 3,800 applicants. Out of those, 193 semifinalists were chosen to advance to a phone interview.
This year’s finalists come from seven U.S. states and have been admitted to eight different schools across the university. Many of them participate in nationally recognized organizations and competitions such as Model UN, DECA, and UIL. Many are also athletes and team captains. Some are NASA interns, founders of nonprofits and online platforms, business owners, researchers, coders, speakers at local and national conventions, musicians, dancers, published storytellers, and student pilots. Their time has been spent participating in countless hours of community service, leading clubs and organizations in their schools, and interning across the nation.
From March 4–7, these exceptional high school students will visit campus to participate in Finalist Weekend. Activities include a visit to their admitted college, class visits, panels with current Forty Acres Scholars, dinner with alumni, and an individual interview.
The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Our scholars demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding academic success. Most importantly, they have passion and a desire to live out the core values of The University of Texas at Austin. The three tenets of the program are community, connection, and discovery. It is a transformational adventure that helps individuals reach their full potential, and, alongside academic achievement, focuses on personal development, relationship building, and gaining perspective. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, Forty Acres Scholars develop a unique relationship with their alma mater and graduate with an extraordinary network of Longhorns standing behind them.
Scholarship funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, an enrichment stipend, and program activities.
Meet the finalists:
Vaishnavi Addala
Westlake High School
Austin, TX
Avery Ambrose
Westlake High School
Austin, TX
Reese Arterberry
Ponder High School
Ponder, TX
Yunbeen Bae
Rick Reedy High School
Frisco, TX
Jackson Bellard
Galena High School
Reno, NV
Emine Ciftci
Lawrence E. Elkins High School
Missouri City, TX
Jannah Collins
Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
Houston, TX
Sydney Collins
Vandegrift High School
Austin, TX
Ethan Davila
Nikki Rowe High School
McAllen, TX
Kien Deshpande
Mirabeau B. Lamar High School
Houston, TX
Daija Esparza
PSJA North Early College High School
Pharr, TX
Katrina Fierro
McNeil High School
Austin, TX
Will Florer
Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas
Dallas, TX
Thomas Grannen
St. John's School
Houston, TX
Nikhil Guddati
Flower Mound High School
Flower Mound, TX
Jorge Guerra
Sharyland High School
Mission, TX
Anushka Gupta
Centennial High School
Frisco, TX
Kyla Guru
Deerfield High School
Deerfield, IL
Connor Hrachovy
St. John's School
Houston, TX
Shevali Kadakia
Archbishop Mitty High School
San Jose, CA
Addison Kahle
Birdville High School
North Richland Hills, TX
Nikita Kakkad
Westlake High School
Austin, TX
Helen Kalleb
Bishop Lynch High School
Dallas, TX
Spandana Kamepalli
Vandegrift High School
Austin, TX
Melissa Khasbagan
Westlake High School
Austin, TX
Pranitha Kona
Coppell High School
Coppell, TX
Sara Kothia
Imagine International Academy of North Texas
McKinney, TX
Sophia Li
Plano East Senior High School
Plano, TX
Amanda Mackenzie
Trinity Valley School
Fort Worth, TX
Lana Mohamed
Claudia Taylor Johnson High School
San Antonio, TX
Aria Morgan
Garland High School
Garland, TX
Morgan Myhill
Kent Denver School
Englewood, CO
Reese Neal
Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science
Denton, TX
Alice Nguyen
Friendswood High School
Friendswood, TX
Amelia Nickerson
Vandegrift High School
Austin, TX
Ritika Palacharla
Carnegie Vanguard High School
Houston, TX
Aleah Parafinczuk
Loyola Academy
Wilmette, IL
Devan Patel
St. Mark's School of Texas
Dallas, TX
Olivia Pierce
Oliver Ames High School
Easton, MA
Oliver Ames High School
Easton, MA
Anoushka Ramesh
Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science
Denton, TX
Jack Roehr
Sphairo Academy
Houston, TX
Elle Smith
Cedar Ridge High School
Round Rock, TX
Kylie Sommer-Kohrt
Grafton High School
Yorktown, VA
Walter Stark
Plano Senior High School
Plano, TX
Charles Stock
Bishop Lynch High School
Dallas, TX
Rayan Tejani
Allen Academy
Bryan, TX
Roman Ugarte
Liberal Arts and Science Academy
Austin, TX
Kaya Unalmis
Kingwood High School
Kingwood, TX
Stacy Wang
Highland Park High School
Dallas, TX
Blaire Wartell
Parish Episcopal School
Dallas, TX
Elizabeth Whiteside
Woodrow Wilson High School
Dallas, TX
Ashley Xie
Highland Park High School
Dallas, TX
Matthew Yekell
St. John's School
Houston, TX
Feature
Box List 1 - Featured - Default Paragraph Style
Box List 1 - Teaser - Default Paragraph Style
Lede Image
Search Result - Default Paragraph Style
View List - Default Paragraph Style
Box List 1 - Featured
![](/sites/default/files/2020_FASP_FinalistAnnouncement-web.png)
Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2024 Finalists
The Forty Acres Scholars Program announced 53 finalists for the Class of 2024. Finalists were selected from over 3,800 applicants. Out of those, 193 semifinalists were chosen to advance to a phone interview. This year’s finalists come from seven U.S. states and have been admitted to eight different schools across the university. Many of them participate in nationally recognized organizations and competitions such as Model UN, DECA, and UIL. Many are also athletes and team captains. Some are NASA interns, founders of nonprofits and online platforms, business owners, researchers, coders, speakers at local and national conventions, musicians, dancers, published storytellers, and student pilots. Their time has been spent participating in countless hours of community service, leading clubs and organizations in their schools, and interning across the nation. From March 4–7, these exceptional high school students will visit campus to participate in Finalist Weekend. Activities include a visit to their admitted college, class visits, panels with current Forty Acres Scholars, dinner with alumni, and an individual interview. The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Our scholars demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding academic success. Most importantly, they have passion and a desire to live out the core values of The University of Texas at Austin. The three tenets of the program are community, connection, and discovery. It is a transformational adventure that helps individuals reach their full potential, and, alongside academic achievement, focuses on personal development, relationship building, and gaining perspective. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, Forty Acres Scholars develop a unique relationship with their alma mater and graduate with an extraordinary network of Longhorns standing behind them. Scholarship funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, an enrichment stipend, and program activities. Meet the finalists: Vaishnavi Addala Westlake High School Austin, TX Avery Ambrose Westlake High School Austin, TX Reese Arterberry Ponder High School Ponder, TX Yunbeen Bae Rick Reedy High School Frisco, TX Jackson Bellard Galena High School Reno, NV Emine Ciftci Lawrence E. Elkins High School Missouri City, TX Jannah Collins Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Houston, TX Sydney Collins Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ethan Davila Nikki Rowe High School McAllen, TX Kien Deshpande Mirabeau B. Lamar High School Houston, TX Daija Esparza PSJA North Early College High School Pharr, TX Katrina Fierro McNeil High School Austin, TX Will Florer Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Dallas, TX Thomas Grannen St. John's School Houston, TX Nikhil Guddati Flower Mound High School Flower Mound, TX Jorge Guerra Sharyland High School Mission, TX Anushka Gupta Centennial High School Frisco, TX Kyla Guru Deerfield High School Deerfield, IL Connor Hrachovy St. John's School Houston, TX Shevali Kadakia Archbishop Mitty High School San Jose, CA Addison Kahle Birdville High School North Richland Hills, TX Nikita Kakkad Westlake High School Austin, TX Helen Kalleb Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX Spandana Kamepalli Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Melissa Khasbagan Westlake High School Austin, TX Pranitha Kona Coppell High School Coppell, TX Sara Kothia Imagine International Academy of North Texas McKinney, TX Sophia Li Plano East Senior High School Plano, TX Amanda Mackenzie Trinity Valley School Fort Worth, TX Lana Mohamed Claudia Taylor Johnson High School San Antonio, TX Aria Morgan Garland High School Garland, TX Morgan Myhill Kent Denver School Englewood, CO Reese Neal Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX Alice Nguyen Friendswood High School Friendswood, TX Amelia Nickerson Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ritika Palacharla Carnegie Vanguard High School Houston, TX Aleah Parafinczuk Loyola Academy Wilmette, IL Devan Patel St. Mark's School of Texas Dallas, TX Olivia Pierce Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Anoushka Ramesh Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX Jack Roehr Sphairo Academy Houston, TX Elle Smith Cedar Ridge High School Round Rock, TX Kylie Sommer-Kohrt Grafton High School Yorktown, VA Walter Stark Plano Senior High School Plano, TX Charles Stock Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX Rayan Tejani Allen Academy Bryan, TX Roman Ugarte Liberal Arts and Science Academy Austin, TX Kaya Unalmis Kingwood High School Kingwood, TX Stacy Wang Highland Park High School Dallas, TX Blaire Wartell Parish Episcopal School Dallas, TX Elizabeth Whiteside Woodrow Wilson High School Dallas, TX Ashley Xie Highland Park High School Dallas, TX Matthew Yekell St. John's School Houston, TX
Box List 1 - Teaser
![](/sites/default/files/2020_FASP_FinalistAnnouncement-web.png)
Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2024 Finalists
The Forty Acres Scholars Program announced 53 finalists for the Class of 2024. Finalists were selected from over 3,800 applicants. Out of those, 193 semifinalists were chosen to advance to a phone interview. This year’s finalists come from seven U.S. states and have been admitted to eight different schools across the university. Many of them participate in nationally recognized organizations and competitions such as Model UN, DECA, and UIL. Many are also athletes and team captains. Some are NASA interns, founders of nonprofits and online platforms, business owners, researchers, coders, speakers at local and national conventions, musicians, dancers, published storytellers, and student pilots. Their time has been spent participating in countless hours of community service, leading clubs and organizations in their schools, and interning across the nation. From March 4–7, these exceptional high school students will visit campus to participate in Finalist Weekend. Activities include a visit to their admitted college, class visits, panels with current Forty Acres Scholars, dinner with alumni, and an individual interview. The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Our scholars demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding academic success. Most importantly, they have passion and a desire to live out the core values of The University of Texas at Austin. The three tenets of the program are community, connection, and discovery. It is a transformational adventure that helps individuals reach their full potential, and, alongside academic achievement, focuses on personal development, relationship building, and gaining perspective. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, Forty Acres Scholars develop a unique relationship with their alma mater and graduate with an extraordinary network of Longhorns standing behind them. Scholarship funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, an enrichment stipend, and program activities. Meet the finalists: Vaishnavi Addala Westlake High School Austin, TX Avery Ambrose Westlake High School Austin, TX Reese Arterberry Ponder High School Ponder, TX Yunbeen Bae Rick Reedy High School Frisco, TX Jackson Bellard Galena High School Reno, NV Emine Ciftci Lawrence E. Elkins High School Missouri City, TX Jannah Collins Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Houston, TX Sydney Collins Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ethan Davila Nikki Rowe High School McAllen, TX Kien Deshpande Mirabeau B. Lamar High School Houston, TX Daija Esparza PSJA North Early College High School Pharr, TX Katrina Fierro McNeil High School Austin, TX Will Florer Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Dallas, TX Thomas Grannen St. John's School Houston, TX Nikhil Guddati Flower Mound High School Flower Mound, TX Jorge Guerra Sharyland High School Mission, TX Anushka Gupta Centennial High School Frisco, TX Kyla Guru Deerfield High School Deerfield, IL Connor Hrachovy St. John's School Houston, TX Shevali Kadakia Archbishop Mitty High School San Jose, CA Addison Kahle Birdville High School North Richland Hills, TX Nikita Kakkad Westlake High School Austin, TX Helen Kalleb Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX Spandana Kamepalli Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Melissa Khasbagan Westlake High School Austin, TX Pranitha Kona Coppell High School Coppell, TX Sara Kothia Imagine International Academy of North Texas McKinney, TX Sophia Li Plano East Senior High School Plano, TX Amanda Mackenzie Trinity Valley School Fort Worth, TX Lana Mohamed Claudia Taylor Johnson High School San Antonio, TX Aria Morgan Garland High School Garland, TX Morgan Myhill Kent Denver School Englewood, CO Reese Neal Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX Alice Nguyen Friendswood High School Friendswood, TX Amelia Nickerson Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ritika Palacharla Carnegie Vanguard High School Houston, TX Aleah Parafinczuk Loyola Academy Wilmette, IL Devan Patel St. Mark's School of Texas Dallas, TX Olivia Pierce Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Anoushka Ramesh Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX Jack Roehr Sphairo Academy Houston, TX Elle Smith Cedar Ridge High School Round Rock, TX Kylie Sommer-Kohrt Grafton High School Yorktown, VA Walter Stark Plano Senior High School Plano, TX Charles Stock Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX Rayan Tejani Allen Academy Bryan, TX Roman Ugarte Liberal Arts and Science Academy Austin, TX Kaya Unalmis Kingwood High School Kingwood, TX Stacy Wang Highland Park High School Dallas, TX Blaire Wartell Parish Episcopal School Dallas, TX Elizabeth Whiteside Woodrow Wilson High School Dallas, TX Ashley Xie Highland Park High School Dallas, TX Matthew Yekell St. John's School Houston, TX
Search Result
![](/sites/default/files/2020_FASP_FinalistAnnouncement-web.png)
Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2024 Finalists
The Forty Acres Scholars Program announced 53 finalists for the Class of 2024. Finalists were selected from over 3,800 applicants. Out of those, 193 semifinalists were chosen to advance to a phone interview. This year’s finalists come from seven U.S. states and have been admitted to eight different schools across the university. Many of them participate in nationally recognized organizations and competitions such as Model UN, DECA, and UIL. Many are also athletes and team captains. Some are NASA interns, founders of nonprofits and online platforms, business owners, researchers, coders, speakers at local and national conventions, musicians, dancers, published storytellers, and student pilots. Their time has been spent participating in countless hours of community service, leading clubs and organizations in their schools, and interning across the nation. From March 4–7, these exceptional high school students will visit campus to participate in Finalist Weekend. Activities include a visit to their admitted college, class visits, panels with current Forty Acres Scholars, dinner with alumni, and an individual interview. The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Our scholars demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding academic success. Most importantly, they have passion and a desire to live out the core values of The University of Texas at Austin. The three tenets of the program are community, connection, and discovery. It is a transformational adventure that helps individuals reach their full potential, and, alongside academic achievement, focuses on personal development, relationship building, and gaining perspective. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, Forty Acres Scholars develop a unique relationship with their alma mater and graduate with an extraordinary network of Longhorns standing behind them. Scholarship funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, an enrichment stipend, and program activities. Meet the finalists: Vaishnavi Addala Westlake High School Austin, TX Avery Ambrose Westlake High School Austin, TX Reese Arterberry Ponder High School Ponder, TX Yunbeen Bae Rick Reedy High School Frisco, TX Jackson Bellard Galena High School Reno, NV Emine Ciftci Lawrence E. Elkins High School Missouri City, TX Jannah Collins Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Houston, TX Sydney Collins Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ethan Davila Nikki Rowe High School McAllen, TX Kien Deshpande Mirabeau B. Lamar High School Houston, TX Daija Esparza PSJA North Early College High School Pharr, TX Katrina Fierro McNeil High School Austin, TX Will Florer Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Dallas, TX Thomas Grannen St. John's School Houston, TX Nikhil Guddati Flower Mound High School Flower Mound, TX Jorge Guerra Sharyland High School Mission, TX Anushka Gupta Centennial High School Frisco, TX Kyla Guru Deerfield High School Deerfield, IL Connor Hrachovy St. John's School Houston, TX Shevali Kadakia Archbishop Mitty High School San Jose, CA Addison Kahle Birdville High School North Richland Hills, TX Nikita Kakkad Westlake High School Austin, TX Helen Kalleb Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX Spandana Kamepalli Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Melissa Khasbagan Westlake High School Austin, TX Pranitha Kona Coppell High School Coppell, TX Sara Kothia Imagine International Academy of North Texas McKinney, TX Sophia Li Plano East Senior High School Plano, TX Amanda Mackenzie Trinity Valley School Fort Worth, TX Lana Mohamed Claudia Taylor Johnson High School San Antonio, TX Aria Morgan Garland High School Garland, TX Morgan Myhill Kent Denver School Englewood, CO Reese Neal Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX Alice Nguyen Friendswood High School Friendswood, TX Amelia Nickerson Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ritika Palacharla Carnegie Vanguard High School Houston, TX Aleah Parafinczuk Loyola Academy Wilmette, IL Devan Patel St. Mark's School of Texas Dallas, TX Olivia Pierce Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Anoushka Ramesh Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX Jack Roehr Sphairo Academy Houston, TX Elle Smith Cedar Ridge High School Round Rock, TX Kylie Sommer-Kohrt Grafton High School Yorktown, VA Walter Stark Plano Senior High School Plano, TX Charles Stock Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX Rayan Tejani Allen Academy Bryan, TX Roman Ugarte Liberal Arts and Science Academy Austin, TX Kaya Unalmis Kingwood High School Kingwood, TX Stacy Wang Highland Park High School Dallas, TX Blaire Wartell Parish Episcopal School Dallas, TX Elizabeth Whiteside Woodrow Wilson High School Dallas, TX Ashley Xie Highland Park High School Dallas, TX Matthew Yekell St. John's School Houston, TX
View List
![](/sites/default/files/2020_FASP_FinalistAnnouncement-web.png)
Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2024 Finalists
The Forty Acres Scholars Program announced 53 finalists for the Class of 2024. Finalists were selected from over 3,800 applicants. Out of those, 193 semifinalists were chosen to advance to a phone interview. This year’s finalists come from seven U.S. states and have been admitted to eight different schools across the university. Many of them participate in nationally recognized organizations and competitions such as Model UN, DECA, and UIL. Many are also athletes and team captains. Some are NASA interns, founders of nonprofits and online platforms, business owners, researchers, coders, speakers at local and national conventions, musicians, dancers, published storytellers, and student pilots. Their time has been spent participating in countless hours of community service, leading clubs and organizations in their schools, and interning across the nation. From March 4–7, these exceptional high school students will visit campus to participate in Finalist Weekend. Activities include a visit to their admitted college, class visits, panels with current Forty Acres Scholars, dinner with alumni, and an individual interview. The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Our scholars demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding academic success. Most importantly, they have passion and a desire to live out the core values of The University of Texas at Austin. The three tenets of the program are community, connection, and discovery. It is a transformational adventure that helps individuals reach their full potential, and, alongside academic achievement, focuses on personal development, relationship building, and gaining perspective. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, Forty Acres Scholars develop a unique relationship with their alma mater and graduate with an extraordinary network of Longhorns standing behind them. Scholarship funding provides for tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, an enrichment stipend, and program activities. Meet the finalists: Vaishnavi Addala Westlake High School Austin, TX Avery Ambrose Westlake High School Austin, TX Reese Arterberry Ponder High School Ponder, TX Yunbeen Bae Rick Reedy High School Frisco, TX Jackson Bellard Galena High School Reno, NV Emine Ciftci Lawrence E. Elkins High School Missouri City, TX Jannah Collins Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Houston, TX Sydney Collins Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ethan Davila Nikki Rowe High School McAllen, TX Kien Deshpande Mirabeau B. Lamar High School Houston, TX Daija Esparza PSJA North Early College High School Pharr, TX Katrina Fierro McNeil High School Austin, TX Will Florer Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Dallas, TX Thomas Grannen St. John's School Houston, TX Nikhil Guddati Flower Mound High School Flower Mound, TX Jorge Guerra Sharyland High School Mission, TX Anushka Gupta Centennial High School Frisco, TX Kyla Guru Deerfield High School Deerfield, IL Connor Hrachovy St. John's School Houston, TX Shevali Kadakia Archbishop Mitty High School San Jose, CA Addison Kahle Birdville High School North Richland Hills, TX Nikita Kakkad Westlake High School Austin, TX Helen Kalleb Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX Spandana Kamepalli Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Melissa Khasbagan Westlake High School Austin, TX Pranitha Kona Coppell High School Coppell, TX Sara Kothia Imagine International Academy of North Texas McKinney, TX Sophia Li Plano East Senior High School Plano, TX Amanda Mackenzie Trinity Valley School Fort Worth, TX Lana Mohamed Claudia Taylor Johnson High School San Antonio, TX Aria Morgan Garland High School Garland, TX Morgan Myhill Kent Denver School Englewood, CO Reese Neal Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX Alice Nguyen Friendswood High School Friendswood, TX Amelia Nickerson Vandegrift High School Austin, TX Ritika Palacharla Carnegie Vanguard High School Houston, TX Aleah Parafinczuk Loyola Academy Wilmette, IL Devan Patel St. Mark's School of Texas Dallas, TX Olivia Pierce Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Oliver Ames High School Easton, MA Anoushka Ramesh Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Denton, TX Jack Roehr Sphairo Academy Houston, TX Elle Smith Cedar Ridge High School Round Rock, TX Kylie Sommer-Kohrt Grafton High School Yorktown, VA Walter Stark Plano Senior High School Plano, TX Charles Stock Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX Rayan Tejani Allen Academy Bryan, TX Roman Ugarte Liberal Arts and Science Academy Austin, TX Kaya Unalmis Kingwood High School Kingwood, TX Stacy Wang Highland Park High School Dallas, TX Blaire Wartell Parish Episcopal School Dallas, TX Elizabeth Whiteside Woodrow Wilson High School Dallas, TX Ashley Xie Highland Park High School Dallas, TX Matthew Yekell St. John's School Houston, TX
Class of 2023 Freshman Dinner Series Recap
Every Wednesday evening this fall, the Class of 2023 cohort came together for dinner and a lively discussion with UT faculty, staff, and older Forty Acres Scholars. Each week, the discussion featured a topic specific to one of the Forty Acres Scholars Program tenets: Community; Connection; Discovery.
The Dinner series is a chance for scholars to learn a wide range of skills and lessons as they adjust to their new life on the Forty Acres. Topics include:
- Etiquette Dinner
- Freshman Dinner Series Kick-off
- Enrichment Stipend
- Dr. John Daly
- Relationship Building
- Academics
- Dr. Jeremi Suri
- Wellness
- Social and Extracurricular Activities
- Reflection
It’s also a chance for scholars to step outside the grind of their busy weekly schedules, connect with each other, and build community. “We made the commitment at our Freshman Retreat to be really intentional about seeing each other,” said freshman Scholar Eliza Pillsbury, “But our schedules got so crazy once school started. The Wednesday night dinner series became a built-in part of our week where we could check in with each other. I was just really grateful for the intentional time to spend with fellow scholars.”
Below, scholars reflect on their biggest takeaways from the series.
"The enrichment stipend is something we have all heard about and are excited about. But the chance to hear from older scholars at the enrichment stipend dinner about how they used their stipend to the fullest really helped me solidify what I’m going to use my stipend for and a chance to get a head start on planning my study abroad. It was so inspiring.” Eliza Pillsbury
“The thing is, every dinner series is different. We talk about everything from mental health to etiquette. And it was never a classroom setting, but more interactive—even when we heard from the professors, Dr. Daly and Dr. Suri. We learned from Dr. Suri about how to make the world a better place by being mindful about our actions. And Dr. Daly told us something that really stuck with me: ‘Stop negotiating with yourself.’ Meaning if you have to do something or really want to make a change, don’t procrastinate or do it to a lesser extent. Do the things you want right now.” Arya Saksena
“Everything we talked about—from mental health to making adjustments to college life—are really important topics for freshmen to know. I loved learning alongside my cohort, who I respect so much, and realizing that the freshman year transition is difficult for everyone was really validating. But I think my favorite thing was chatting with professor John Daly. Getting to interact with such an intelligent and renowned professor was a really special experience. I actually ended up getting coffee with him later because I wanted to pursue that connection, and I wouldn’t have done that without the Dinner Series.” Meredith Black
Feature
Box List 1 - Featured - Default Paragraph Style
Box List 1 - Teaser - Default Paragraph Style
Lede Image
Search Result - Default Paragraph Style
View List - Default Paragraph Style
Box List 1 - Featured
![Group of Students](/sites/default/files/2020-02/Jeremi%20Suri-1-rev1_0.jpg)
Class of 2023 Freshman Dinner Series Recap
Every Wednesday evening this fall, the Class of 2023 cohort came together for dinner and a lively discussion with UT faculty, staff, and older Forty Acres Scholars. Each week, the discussion featured a topic specific to one of the Forty Acres Scholars Program tenets: Community; Connection; Discovery. The Dinner series is a chance for scholars to learn a wide range of skills and lessons as they adjust to their new life on the Forty Acres. Topics include: Etiquette Dinner Freshman Dinner Series Kick-off Enrichment Stipend Dr. John Daly Relationship Building Academics Dr. Jeremi Suri Wellness Social and Extracurricular Activities Reflection It’s also a chance for scholars to step outside the grind of their busy weekly schedules, connect with each other, and build community. “We made the commitment at our Freshman Retreat to be really intentional about seeing each other,” said freshman Scholar Eliza Pillsbury, “But our schedules got so crazy once school started. The Wednesday night dinner series became a built-in part of our week where we could check in with each other. I was just really grateful for the intentional time to spend with fellow scholars.” Below, scholars reflect on their biggest takeaways from the series. "The enrichment stipend is something we have all heard about and are excited about. But the chance to hear from older scholars at the enrichment stipend dinner about how they used their stipend to the fullest really helped me solidify what I’m going to use my stipend for and a chance to get a head start on planning my study abroad. It was so inspiring.” Eliza Pillsbury “The thing is, every dinner series is different. We talk about everything from mental health to etiquette. And it was never a classroom setting, but more interactive—even when we heard from the professors, Dr. Daly and Dr. Suri. We learned from Dr. Suri about how to make the world a better place by being mindful about our actions. And Dr. Daly told us something that really stuck with me: ‘Stop negotiating with yourself.’ Meaning if you have to do something or really want to make a change, don’t procrastinate or do it to a lesser extent. Do the things you want right now.” Arya Saksena “Everything we talked about—from mental health to making adjustments to college life—are really important topics for freshmen to know. I loved learning alongside my cohort, who I respect so much, and realizing that the freshman year transition is difficult for everyone was really validating. But I think my favorite thing was chatting with professor John Daly. Getting to interact with such an intelligent and renowned professor was a really special experience. I actually ended up getting coffee with him later because I wanted to pursue that connection, and I wouldn’t have done that without the Dinner Series.” Meredith Black
Box List 1 - Teaser
![Group of Students](/sites/default/files/2020-02/Jeremi%20Suri-1-rev1_0.jpg)
Class of 2023 Freshman Dinner Series Recap
Every Wednesday evening this fall, the Class of 2023 cohort came together for dinner and a lively discussion with UT faculty, staff, and older Forty Acres Scholars. Each week, the discussion featured a topic specific to one of the Forty Acres Scholars Program tenets: Community; Connection; Discovery. The Dinner series is a chance for scholars to learn a wide range of skills and lessons as they adjust to their new life on the Forty Acres. Topics include: Etiquette Dinner Freshman Dinner Series Kick-off Enrichment Stipend Dr. John Daly Relationship Building Academics Dr. Jeremi Suri Wellness Social and Extracurricular Activities Reflection It’s also a chance for scholars to step outside the grind of their busy weekly schedules, connect with each other, and build community. “We made the commitment at our Freshman Retreat to be really intentional about seeing each other,” said freshman Scholar Eliza Pillsbury, “But our schedules got so crazy once school started. The Wednesday night dinner series became a built-in part of our week where we could check in with each other. I was just really grateful for the intentional time to spend with fellow scholars.” Below, scholars reflect on their biggest takeaways from the series. "The enrichment stipend is something we have all heard about and are excited about. But the chance to hear from older scholars at the enrichment stipend dinner about how they used their stipend to the fullest really helped me solidify what I’m going to use my stipend for and a chance to get a head start on planning my study abroad. It was so inspiring.” Eliza Pillsbury “The thing is, every dinner series is different. We talk about everything from mental health to etiquette. And it was never a classroom setting, but more interactive—even when we heard from the professors, Dr. Daly and Dr. Suri. We learned from Dr. Suri about how to make the world a better place by being mindful about our actions. And Dr. Daly told us something that really stuck with me: ‘Stop negotiating with yourself.’ Meaning if you have to do something or really want to make a change, don’t procrastinate or do it to a lesser extent. Do the things you want right now.” Arya Saksena “Everything we talked about—from mental health to making adjustments to college life—are really important topics for freshmen to know. I loved learning alongside my cohort, who I respect so much, and realizing that the freshman year transition is difficult for everyone was really validating. But I think my favorite thing was chatting with professor John Daly. Getting to interact with such an intelligent and renowned professor was a really special experience. I actually ended up getting coffee with him later because I wanted to pursue that connection, and I wouldn’t have done that without the Dinner Series.” Meredith Black
Search Result
![Group of Students](/sites/default/files/2020-02/Jeremi%20Suri-1-rev1_0.jpg)
Class of 2023 Freshman Dinner Series Recap
Every Wednesday evening this fall, the Class of 2023 cohort came together for dinner and a lively discussion with UT faculty, staff, and older Forty Acres Scholars. Each week, the discussion featured a topic specific to one of the Forty Acres Scholars Program tenets: Community; Connection; Discovery. The Dinner series is a chance for scholars to learn a wide range of skills and lessons as they adjust to their new life on the Forty Acres. Topics include: Etiquette Dinner Freshman Dinner Series Kick-off Enrichment Stipend Dr. John Daly Relationship Building Academics Dr. Jeremi Suri Wellness Social and Extracurricular Activities Reflection It’s also a chance for scholars to step outside the grind of their busy weekly schedules, connect with each other, and build community. “We made the commitment at our Freshman Retreat to be really intentional about seeing each other,” said freshman Scholar Eliza Pillsbury, “But our schedules got so crazy once school started. The Wednesday night dinner series became a built-in part of our week where we could check in with each other. I was just really grateful for the intentional time to spend with fellow scholars.” Below, scholars reflect on their biggest takeaways from the series. "The enrichment stipend is something we have all heard about and are excited about. But the chance to hear from older scholars at the enrichment stipend dinner about how they used their stipend to the fullest really helped me solidify what I’m going to use my stipend for and a chance to get a head start on planning my study abroad. It was so inspiring.” Eliza Pillsbury “The thing is, every dinner series is different. We talk about everything from mental health to etiquette. And it was never a classroom setting, but more interactive—even when we heard from the professors, Dr. Daly and Dr. Suri. We learned from Dr. Suri about how to make the world a better place by being mindful about our actions. And Dr. Daly told us something that really stuck with me: ‘Stop negotiating with yourself.’ Meaning if you have to do something or really want to make a change, don’t procrastinate or do it to a lesser extent. Do the things you want right now.” Arya Saksena “Everything we talked about—from mental health to making adjustments to college life—are really important topics for freshmen to know. I loved learning alongside my cohort, who I respect so much, and realizing that the freshman year transition is difficult for everyone was really validating. But I think my favorite thing was chatting with professor John Daly. Getting to interact with such an intelligent and renowned professor was a really special experience. I actually ended up getting coffee with him later because I wanted to pursue that connection, and I wouldn’t have done that without the Dinner Series.” Meredith Black
View List
![Group of Students](/sites/default/files/2020-02/Jeremi%20Suri-1-rev1_0.jpg)
Class of 2023 Freshman Dinner Series Recap
Every Wednesday evening this fall, the Class of 2023 cohort came together for dinner and a lively discussion with UT faculty, staff, and older Forty Acres Scholars. Each week, the discussion featured a topic specific to one of the Forty Acres Scholars Program tenets: Community; Connection; Discovery. The Dinner series is a chance for scholars to learn a wide range of skills and lessons as they adjust to their new life on the Forty Acres. Topics include: Etiquette Dinner Freshman Dinner Series Kick-off Enrichment Stipend Dr. John Daly Relationship Building Academics Dr. Jeremi Suri Wellness Social and Extracurricular Activities Reflection It’s also a chance for scholars to step outside the grind of their busy weekly schedules, connect with each other, and build community. “We made the commitment at our Freshman Retreat to be really intentional about seeing each other,” said freshman Scholar Eliza Pillsbury, “But our schedules got so crazy once school started. The Wednesday night dinner series became a built-in part of our week where we could check in with each other. I was just really grateful for the intentional time to spend with fellow scholars.” Below, scholars reflect on their biggest takeaways from the series. "The enrichment stipend is something we have all heard about and are excited about. But the chance to hear from older scholars at the enrichment stipend dinner about how they used their stipend to the fullest really helped me solidify what I’m going to use my stipend for and a chance to get a head start on planning my study abroad. It was so inspiring.” Eliza Pillsbury “The thing is, every dinner series is different. We talk about everything from mental health to etiquette. And it was never a classroom setting, but more interactive—even when we heard from the professors, Dr. Daly and Dr. Suri. We learned from Dr. Suri about how to make the world a better place by being mindful about our actions. And Dr. Daly told us something that really stuck with me: ‘Stop negotiating with yourself.’ Meaning if you have to do something or really want to make a change, don’t procrastinate or do it to a lesser extent. Do the things you want right now.” Arya Saksena “Everything we talked about—from mental health to making adjustments to college life—are really important topics for freshmen to know. I loved learning alongside my cohort, who I respect so much, and realizing that the freshman year transition is difficult for everyone was really validating. But I think my favorite thing was chatting with professor John Daly. Getting to interact with such an intelligent and renowned professor was a really special experience. I actually ended up getting coffee with him later because I wanted to pursue that connection, and I wouldn’t have done that without the Dinner Series.” Meredith Black