2014 Scholar Update: Alexander Martin

September 2014

Dear Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship Board,

My years at St. Lawrence University have reached its halfway point. At this point, the opportunities that are apparent to me now are things I would have deemed impossible to attain 2 years ago. I can seriously think about graduate school, traveling doing research after college or my favorite, the unknown possibilities I have yet to come across. This past academic year has been a defining one. I pushed myself through an obstacle class that was holding me back from attaining my full pledged pursuit of my biology major. I petitioned my schools biology department to allow me to get into the second semester of class I failed my freshman year due to my success in another biology class. They agreed and watched me closely. The professors were patient and helpful, the studying hours grueling, but the reward… so sweet. I worked for the university as well this past year as what St. Lawrence calls Community Assistants (CAs for short) but what many other schools call RAs. That in itself was a challenging job that kept me on my toes but also forced me to do my best not only in academics but my presence on campus and community.

The money that I received last year from the scholarship foundation I used to get those big beginning of the year expenses such as school supplies, warm clothes for the harsh winters, and textbooks if the financial aid I receive from HEOP doesn’t cover the full expense. It looks like this school year with me taking two 400 level biology classes, a chemistry class, and a 200 level music class to finish off my music major it looks like I will be buying quite a bit of textbooks this year. In addition, I have been working for St. Lawrence this entire summer which is why I am never in the city. It does trouble me that the events put on by the scholarship foundation are events that are hard for me to reach and the time frame of which they are placed do not align with my schedule. I am not implying that they should be scheduled around me, I am not the center of the universe nor the president of the U.S. but it troubles me in the sense that because I go to a school so far away and that I work a lot I am missing out on the bonding opportunities presented at these events not to mention just seeing everyone again. 
I am proud to be a Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship Recipient and I want to express that in an environment where everyone around me understands. I sincerely appreciate the help that you guys provide not only to me but to my other scholars.

Sincerely,

Alexander M. Martin ‘16

Community Assistant & Information Desk Assistant

St. Lawrence University

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

SMBS Scholar 2012

We are so proud of you Alex and eager to continue to hear where you are taking your future.  We are truly ready to take that ride with you.  Keep up the great work!!!