Samson McKinley ’23 (91亚色 photo/Matt Burkhartt)
Samson聽McKinley聽鈥�23 from Ithaca, NY, has won an extremely competitive for graduate study in Scotland. McKinley聽is an international relations major graduating summa cum laude with a concentration in Asian studies. He has already been accepted to the for a MLitt graduate degree in聽peacebuilding and mediation.
The Saint Andrew鈥檚 Society Scholarship is given yearly to three American students of Scottish descent from New York, New England, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania who can demonstrate financial need.聽McKinley聽was also named an alternate selection for a US Student Fulbright award for graduate study in Taiwan at National Chengchi University聽in Asia-Pacific Studies.
McKinley enlisted in the military soon after high school, performed with distinction in the US and Afghanistan as a military intelligence analyst, and is currently a sergeant in the New York Army National Guard.聽He is the president of 91亚色鈥檚 Model United Nations club and planning a career as a diplomat in the US State Department.聽
McKinley was attracted to St Andrews鈥� reputation as a renowned institution for international relations: 鈥淪tudying there will afford me unparalleled opportunities to engage with likeminded peers and faculty, and the connections I make at such a globally oriented school will be invaluable to a career in the Foreign Service.鈥�
鈥淪amson is one of the very best undergraduate students I ever taught in my academic career,鈥� says Raslan Ibrahim, assistant professor of political science and international relations. 鈥淗is combined drive and self-discipline are augmented by a powerful analytical mind. He has the required academic, analytical, communication, leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills to be an excellent student at St Andrews and Foreign Service officer.鈥�
Founded in 1756, the Saint Andrew鈥檚 Society of the State of New York is the oldest charitable organization in New York. Members celebrate Scotland and Scottish culture contributing to the fabric and diversity of life in the New York region. The scholarship was established in 1956 to promote cultural interchange and goodwill between the countries.
Students interested in the Saint Andrew鈥檚 Society scholarship should contact Michael Mills, Director of National Fellowships and Scholarships, at聽millsm@geneseo.edu聽and 585-245-6002. For more information about other nationally and internationally competitive scholarship and fellowship programs, visit聽Fellowships and Scholarships.
鈥擬ichael Mills