By Alyssa Wilson ~ Editor-in-Chief
Every fall semester the University of Lynchburg picks one graduating senior to be awarded with the prestigious Sommerville Scholar Award, which recognizes a student that embodies the ideals of Richard Clarke Sommerville.
On Oct. 21, Sophie Tully was awarded the Sommerville Scholar Award for the many accomplishments she has made during her time at the university.
Provost Allison Jablonski, who announced and awarded Tully as the winner says, “It was Sophie’s intellectual passion and curiosity, coupled with her interdisciplinary approach to learning, that stood out to the committee.”
Jablonski spoke about Tully and all of the accomplishments that made her the recipient of the award.
Tully is a Philosophy and Political Science joint major and has completed various internships in the political sector, in addition to her membership in several honors societies and the President of the Westover Honors Society.
The recipient of the award is chosen by a committee of faculty members – Jeanne Booth, Jamie Brooks, Lisa Crutchfield and chaired by Lindsay Pieper.
The committee received twenty-three applications, choosing five for in-person interviews: Claire Corte, Rebecca Faulkner, Nona Gear, Rebecca Owens and Sophia Tully.
“The committee believes Sophie exemplifies the scholarly habits and appetite for learning that are celebrated by the Sommerville Scholarship… It was Sophie’s intellectual passion and curiosity, coupled with her interdisciplinary approach to learning, that stood out to the committee,” says Jablonski.
All five finalists boasted qualified resumes and GPAs, but in the end the committee was most impressed with Tully.
Tully says, “I’ve looked up to so many people who were finalists for Sommerville throughout my time here, and it’s so amazing to be a part of that history.”
