Scholar Films
Harun's most recent film, In the Name of the Son, is based on his experiences growing up in wartime Bosnia
Scholars in the News
Reshma Tharani, 21, is part of a new breed of community college student
Brenda Suggs
"I live in an impoverished area where many youth are resorting to drugs and crime to make enough money so that they might enjoy a piece of the American dream. It is my desire to help them make better choices and develop entrepreneurial businesses of their own."
- Program: 2007 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: Waco, TX
- Hometown: Waco, TX
- Age: 58
- Community College: Texas State Technical College Waco
- Four-year College or University: Baylor University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Business, Computing / IT, Education / Academia, Entrepreneur / Independent Business, Liberal Arts, Nonprofits, Politics and Diplomacy, Public Policy, Religion, Writing / Journalism
- Other Interests: Church / Religious Organization, Computing / IT, Honor Society, Nonprofits, Public Policy, Religion, Tutoring / Mentoring, Volunteer Work, Writing / Journalism
Biography
"Even though my grandparents never completed elementary school, my grandfather was the first black business owner in our city." While honor, pride, and love were emphasized in Brenda Suggs's upbringing, education was not. Brenda remembers a childhood in which she loved reading and sought knowledge. But she graduated high school and promptly wed. Lack of finances and fear of failure postponed any serious consideration of further schooling. "Had it not been for a work-related accident (I fell and fractured my back in two places), I probably would never have attempted to go to college. I could no longer use my physical strength to make a living, but realized that my brain still worked." Still, when her first semester transcript posted with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, Brenda contacted the records office to check for an error. The transcript proved accurate, and Brenda graduated community college with honors.
"As a first-generation college student, and the mother of two adult sons and three grandchildren, I feel compelled to set an example for educational pursuits for my family. I am very happy to report that just since I have been talking about furthering my education, my 35-year-old son recently enrolled in college for the first time." Brenda considers reading one of her most valued pastimes. A current project couples that passion with her dedication to motivating and encouraging others. "I am currently writing my first book, encouraging others to see that change is possible through diligence, perseverance, and faith." Brenda says she only came to understand how to express herself in written form since she started college.
Winning awards for speaking and for public service, ministering to youth groups, and starting a youth development foundation, Brenda finds use for her newly acquired academic knowledge, her life experience, and her sense of mission.
Other Scholars Like Brenda
Dorothy Fink
Graduate Scholar
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Rosita Najmi
Graduate Scholar
Harvard University
Stephen Stigler
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
University of California, Los Angeles
Brian Brush
Graduate Scholar
Columbia University