UB Alumni Association to Present Six Scholarships

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A total of $7,500 in scholarship money will be awarded to six University at Buffalo students during the UB Alumni Association scholarship dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, in the Center for Tomorrow on the North Campus.

Four students will receive J. Scott Fleming Scholarships. Established in 1985 as a student-to-student scholarship to recognize full-time undergraduate and graduate students for their leadership efforts, through extracurricular and volunteer activities, the awards have helped to promote student involvement and enhance the student experience at UB. In 1991 the $500 awards were renamed after J. Scott Fleming, who served as executive director of the Office of Alumni Relations and who exemplified the spirit of involving students, whom he called "alumni-in-residence." The recipients are:

-- Nathanael David Carbrey, of Williamsville, N.Y., who is pursuing a combined bachelor's and master's degree in accounting. While serving as president of Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting honors society, more than $1 million was refunded to the local Buffalo community through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. He has competed for the society in seven UB-sponsored case competitions with two first-place, three second-place and one third-place finish. Carbrey is also a co-founder and active member of UB for Christ.

-- Grace Mukupa, a native of Africa who grew up in Asia. A PhD student in the Global Gender Studies program, Mukupa is president of the Graduate Student Association, advises two undergraduate organizations and teaches an undergraduate course on issues concerning gender in Africa. She presented at the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in December 2011, and since 2010 has served as a representative to the United Nations to the Economic and Social Council; Mukupa also volunteers for a number of university- and community-based organizations.

-- Junior Jovin Panthapattu, of Congers, N.Y., is pursuing a career in pharmacy. He is the Habitat for Humanity coordinator for Circle K, a community service club at UB, as well as a resident advisor. Panthapattu is a research assistant in a pharmacology and toxicology lab, as well as a senior student assistant in Campus Living's Residential Education Department. He is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and is involved with the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement (CSLCE).

-- Jennifer Trapani, of Endwell, N.Y., is a junior pursuing a bachelor of science degree in biological sciences. As a member of the Undergraduate Academies Living and Learning Community, her involvement with the community is extensive, ranging from serving as a floor leader and peer mentor to serving on its student advisory board, planning board and as a teaching assistant for its research exploration seminar. Trapani is a member of the UB STARS program, conducts campus tours and is engaged in undergraduate research. Currently her research has significant relevance to the Great Lakes communities.

The Alumnae Scholarship was created by UB alumnae in 1941, but lay dormant for decades. The scholarship was reintroduced by the UB Alumni Association in 2010, and this year's recipient is Lisa Kulka, from Buffalo, N.Y., a senior studying English and English as a Second Language (ESL) education. She plans to enroll in UB's Graduate School of Education this fall to obtain her teacher certification. Kulka serves as an interpreter-translator, academic tutor and ESL coordinator assistant for Upgrade Academics Inc., and is an academic tutor for UB athletic academic services. She has won numerous awards and scholarships; is a member of a variety of clubs and societies, including Sigma Tau Delta Leadership Honor Society; and has studied abroad in Spain.

The 2011 Willie R. Evans UB Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship recipient is Caitlin Curry, from Williamsville, N.Y. The Legacy Scholarship assists currently enrolled UB students who are children or grandchildren of UB alumni who contribute to the growth and enrichment of the university through active membership and participation in the alumni association.

Curry is a junior pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in international business as well as a minor in Spanish. A Division I student-athlete on the cross country and track and field teams, Curry has won the MAC Commissioner's Award and is on the MAC honor roll. Her father, UBAA member Daniel Curry, is a 1979 graduate of the School of Management.

The UBAA is a volunteer-led, international organization that provides support for, and services to, alumni. The organization strives to create and promote lifelong bonds with UB graduates, and works to inspire them to care about the past, present and future of the university. Together with alumni, UBAA supports UB as one of America's great public research universities. The UBAA encourages UB students and alumni to take pride in their college experience and pass that enthusiasm on to their children, prospective students, faculty, staff and community.