Three UNC-Chapel Hill students selected to receive prestigious DeJoy-Woś Scholarships

SCHOOLS; COMMUNITY NEWS

CHAPEL HILL –The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) has announced the recipients of the 2024 DeJoy-Woś Scholarships. Three of the nine winners are from UNC-Chapel Hill. The 2024 Scholars received full scholarships to spend the summer interning in Washington, D.C., and attending courses at George Mason University. To be eligible for the DeJoy-Woś Scholarships, students must attend college in North Carolina or be state residents. One scholarship is reserved for a student from Estonia.

The 2024 DeJoy-Woś Scholars are: Simon Cook, Caitlin Kaus, and Lauren Zola of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Margaret Cole of Duke University; Anil Gordon of North Carolina State University, Lucas Juntunen of East Carolina University, Anna Claire Miller of High Point University; Elizabeth Shum of Elon University; and Kertu Niit of the University of Tartu, Estonia.

UNC-Chapel Hill Scholarship winner Simon Cook. Photo courtesy of Jon Hukill.

“I think one of the most impactful experiences I have taken from TFAS is the idea of conversation. Throughout the dorm rooms and halls of the District House, debate flourished. Everyone could have differing views, and share those views clearly and respectfully. Thus, what the TFAS experience has helped me understand is that there can exist strong connections between the divides. Whether it be on certain policies, foreign relations, or basic political party affiliation, respect and camaraderie can prosper, which is a concept that I would not have grasped so easily and firmly without the generosity of the Dejoy-Woś scholarship and the TFAS summer program.” said scholarship winner from UNC-Chapel Hill Simon Cook.

UNC-Chapel Hill scholarship winner Caitlin Kaus. Photo courtesy of Jon Hukill.

Scholarship winner Caitlin Kaus from UNC-Chapel Hill told TLR, “As someone who’s never lived outside of North Carolina, this opportunity to live, learn, and work in Washington D.C. has been absolutely incredible. Over the last several weeks, I’ve encountered opportunities I never dreamed were possible. From listening to Supreme Court justices deliver their opinions live to exploring museums and historical landmarks, every moment has been possible because of the generosity of Mr. DeJoy and Ambassador Woś. As I head back to Chapel Hill in only a few short weeks, I’ll never forget the invaluable connections I’ve forged with peers and experienced professionals, contributing immensely to my personal and professional growth this summer. I’m so grateful to be a DeJoy-Woś scholar and I hope to back in D.C. in the future!”

Lauren Zola UNC-Chapel Hill scholarship winner. Photo courtesy of Jon Hukill.

“I’ve loved meeting the driven people that are involved with TFAS. I’ve met some people who will hopefully be lifelong friends and have had incredible experiences, from networking dinners to kayaking on the Potomac. I am extremely grateful to the DeJoy-Wos family for the scholarship I received.” said Lauren Zola from UNC-Chapel Hill.

The DeJoy-Woś Family Foundation of Greensboro, North Carolina has generously funded the DeJoy-Woś Scholarship program for 19 years.

The TFAS program pairs students with internship opportunities in their field of study. Through TFAS, the 2024 Scholars will intern with many prominent companies and organizations in the greater Washington, D.C., area, including news organizations, think tanks, the U.S. Congress, government relations firms, and more.

Louis DeJoy of the DeJoy-Woś Family Foundation expressed his support for the program, adding, “We are proud to offer this incredible learning opportunity for nine deserving young leaders to engage in valuable leadership development and internship experiences across Washington this summer. These students will become leaders in business, public policy, law, and journalism and will shape society for the better.”

TFAS President Roger Ream thanked the DeJoy-Woś Family Foundation for their continued commitment to TFAS programs. “We’re grateful for the continued support of the DeJoy-Woś Family Foundation,” Ream said. “This year’s DeJoy-Woś Scholars will build on this program’s legacy of developing courageous leaders for future generations, and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish this summer and for years to come.”

Mr. DeJoy currently serves as the 75^th U.S. Postmaster General, a role he was appointed to in May 2020 by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service. Formerly, he was the chairman and chief executive officer of New Breed Logistics. Dr. Woś is currently the Institute of World Politics President and served as U.S. Ambassador to Estonia from 2004-2006.

This summer, TFAS anticipates a record enrollment of 1,500 students in its high school and college programs. Graduates will join a global network of nearly 50,000 TFAS alumni who are leaders in politics, government, public policy, business, philanthropy, and the media.

For more information about of the DeJoy-Wos family foundation, visit http://louisdejoyandaldonawosfamilyfoundation.com/.

The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) is an educational nonprofit that hosts academic internship programs for undergraduate and law students in Washington, D.C., international academic programs in Europe and South America, programs for high school students and teachers, and fellowships for journalists and public policy professionals.

For more information on TFAS programs, visit www.DCinternships.org, www.TFASinternational.org, or www.FTE.org. For general information about TFAS, visit www.TFAS.org.

Michelle Cassell is a seasoned reporter who has covered everything from crime to hurricanes and local politics to human interest over the course of 35 years. As managing editor, she hopes to encourage writers of a wide range of backgrounds and interests in TLR’s coverage of Southern Orange County news.
This reporter can be reached at Info@TheLocalReporter.press