During his junior year at Duke, David Ungvary T'10 applied for and won what he calls a "life-changing" award, the Beinecke Scholarship. Ungvary, who majored in classical languages and classical civilizations, is now a second year PhD student in Harvard University's Department of the Classics.
"I am still receiving Beinecke funds, and will for two more years," Ungvary said. "Two years ago, thanks in large part to the Beinecke, I was able to attend Oxford University for a year and obtained a Master's degree in Latin Language and Literature, in 2011."
The Beinecke Scholarship supports students of exceptional promise as they attend the graduate school of their choice. Beinecke recipients receive $4,000 in their senior year of undergraduate studies and $30,000 during graduate school. A student must apply as a junior, demonstrate financial need, and plan to study arts, humanities, or social sciences. The Office of Undergraduate Scholars and Fellows is holding a Beinecke Scholarship information session on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. in Bay 8 North, 2nd floor, Smith Warehouse.
"While the Beinecke requires its junior applicants to be sure of their desire to study at the graduate level, the award offers a great deal of flexibility in terms of what one is able to study to qualify," Ungvary said. "Over the past few years, I would guess that almost every discipline of the humanities and social sciences has been represented by at least one Beinecke scholar. The classics in particular have been well represented."
The award carries many benefits. "Having been awarded the scholarship as a junior, I was much more confident during the fall of my senior year in my ability to gain admission to a PhD program on the top of my list," Ungvary said. "I have no doubt that it helped open some doors. My year in England would not have been possible without the Beinecke. That year overseas is and will remain one of my fondest memories as a time when I grew as a person and made great strides as a scholar."
Ungvary plans to finish his graduate work in 2016. His advice for Duke upperclass students: "Whatever scholarship or past graduate award it is, go for it! At the very least, you learn a great deal about yourself when asked to describe your past successes, relay your passions, and convince others of the worthiness of your goals and aspirations."
Any interested students who cannot attend the information session should contact the Office of Undergraduate Scholars and Fellows for assistance.