The following were chosen for the $1,000 Pi Gamma Mu scholarships:

Mark Bender joined Pi Gamma Mu at the Pennsylvania Alpha Omicron chapter at Washington & Jefferson College.  He is now working toward his Ph.D. degree in Economics at the University of Pittsburgh.  He is particularly interested in human decision making, and plans to teach at the college level.

According to Dr. Tiffani Gottschall, associate professor of economics at Washington & Jefferson, "Mark Bender has tremendous potential as both a teacher and scholar.  He volunteers in Big Brothers/Big Sisters and coaches a youth lacrosse team."  She remarked that Mark "has taught personal economics to eighth grade students and assisted teachers in high school government classes and in a learning support classroom…Mark Bender has a genuine interest and curiosity for learning."
 

Christopher Crawford is attending George Washington University Law School.  Crawford joined Pi Gamma Mu at Franklin & Marshall College's Pennsylvania Mu chapter.  Crawford stated "The study of the basis upon which our entire society is based appealed to me greatly as both an intellectual goal and a serious career."

The chair of the Department of Classics at Franklin &Marshall, Shawn O'Bryhim, said, "I have absolutely no doubt but that Chris will succeed in his chosen profession.  He is diligent, responsible, creative, and even-tempered, and has great talent in several different areas.  I am certain that he could have had a successful career in music, classics, or history, all of which he loves equally.  The fact that he has chosen Law is testimony to his dedication to the field."
 

Elizabeth  Danley joined the North Carolina Epsilon chapter while attending Appalachian State University.  She is now in the Social Work program at Georgia State University.  Danley said, "I hope to take this background in social work internationally and aid people throughout the continent of Africa with their physical, mental, and emotional needs.  I primarily want to focus on the need for better health education, like AIDS/HIV prevention and better nutrition.  After spending some time at the international level [she went to South Africa last summer with a study abroad program], I want to pursue a doctorate in health psychology, a field that is relatively new to the discipline."  She also reported that "with many health issues arising in our country, like obesity, substance abuse, and lack of access for many people to proper healthcare, I believe that there is a need for more professionals to work towards new research on ways to tackle these concerns."

Delbra Thomas, program director at Gilgal Inc., a residential program for homeless women with addictions where Danley is a student intern, states that "she always presents herself as a professional, always dependable, punctual, always eager to learn, and very cooperative."
 

Nathan Dunlap is now attending the University of Chicago and is preparing for a career as a public policy analyst.  He joined Pi Gamma Mu through the Illinois Xi chapter at Elmhurst College. 

According to Professor Thomas Nachtrab, "Nathan freely and effectively initiates interaction with people.  He loves to understand people, especially those whose traditions and life experiences differ from his own.  He engages others with ease, and gains their trust with his open, empathetic manner.  In addition to his interest in individuals, Nathan has an extraordinary intellectual curiosity about collectives of people.  He is fascinated by the actions and interactions of political, economic, social, and civic groups and institutions."

Jennifer Johnson graduated from Wayne State College where she joined the Nebraska Delta chapter of Pi Gamma Mu.  She is now attending Portland State University.  She would like to receive her Ph.D. in Sociology and conduct research in the field of social demography.  Johnson said, "Sociology has ignited a strong desire to combine my interests in statistics, computers and inequalities and further develop my understanding of sociology." 

Dr. Jean Karlen, Professor of Sociology and co-sponsor of the Nebraska Delta chapter, remarked that "Jen is an intelligent, talented, and responsible young woman. This young woman is a leader both in and out of the class.  She is one of those students who "step up" and responds to requests, queries, and/or tasks that need to be done.  Her work as President for our campus Sociology/Psychology Club and as secretary for the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity attests to her organizational and leadership skills and her commitment to community service."

Leasha Strang joined Pi Gamma Mu through the Kansas Epsilon chapter at Kansas Wesleyan University.  She is matriculating at Newman University and should have her master of social work degree in 2011.  Strang received her bachelor's degree while working full-time and raising her children as a single parent.  Strang reported that her "future career goal is to work as a therapist with mentally ill adults to help them manage their symptoms and live productive lives." 

Professor Tor Wynn, chapter sponsor at Kansas Wesleyan University, stated, "Because of her academic, social, and leadership skills, penchant for hard work, and her professional attitude, I believe that Leasha Strang has a bright future in the Social Work field."