Shaun Zhang

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“Since I was very young, my deepest ambition has been to leave a mark on the world. As I grew older, I became informed of the world and its issues and insight as to how I could make my own impact in it. As a result, my ambitions grew from childhood dreams to realistic goals.”

  • Alumni of: 2010 Graduate Scholarship Program
  • Resides: Washington, DC
  • Hometown: Carrollton, GA
  • Age: 21

Biography

 

PROFILE: Most 18-year-olds spend a good portion of time thinking about where to attend college, learning to drive, whom to take to prom, or just enduring senior year of high school. At that age, Shu “Shaun” Zhang is already on his way to a law career. The Georgia native was a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar, and an academic prodigy who started college full-time at age 14. He graduated with highest honors from Georgia Tech in May 2010. Soon, he’ll move to the nation’s capital to attend law school at Georgetown. What’s more amazing is only eleven years ago, Shaun moved to America from his native China. He was seven when his family arrived in Georgia and at that point, he knew approximately ten words in English. One decade later, with Shaun’s hard work, classroom dedication, and Foundation scholarships, his career is set to take off.

INSPIRATION: The future Georgetown law student said Linda Camp, his junior high math teacher, was the most influential mentor in his life as he transitioned to a new world, and first began recognizing his academic potential. “It was under Mrs. Camp’s tutelage that I competed in several math competitions and won several awards,” Shaun said.

ASPIRATION:  To ensure a wealthy and comfortable life for my family and to become a justice on the US Supreme Court.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Shaun is proud of his entire record of accomplishments since starting college. “I have had to adapt to new situations, handle new environments, and face difficult challenges,” he said. “I am proud to have succeeded academically and to have grown to be an active student leader.”

ACCOLADES: Shaun graduated Summa Cum Laude from Georgia Tech and along the way earned the institute’s Faculty Honors. He authored an article in a highly cited Journal of the American Chemical Society, and was a regular on the Dean’s List at both West Georgia, where he won the Presidential Scholarship, and at Georgia Tech. Shaun co-founded the Georgia Tech chapters of the Order of the Engineer and Sigma Pi Fraternity, in which he also served as Vice-President.

INTERESTING FACT: Shaun is a true spirited member of the “Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech.” He loves to sing and entertain with his fraternity brothers, especially as the ensemble roams various tailgate parties prior to football games. “Despite my poor vocal ability,” Shaun said.  “I was voted ‘Best Singer’ for my rendition of ‘Eye of the Tiger’.”
 

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