As part of its Leadership, Ethics, Achievement, Development program, the Sigma Nu fraternity awarded a total of $600 to three freshmen last night for their outstanding leadership and community service record.
The grand prize $300 scholarship was awarded to Scott Kahn, a New Rochelle, N.Y., native who plans to major in political science in the College. First runner-up Krishna Kantheti won $200, and second runner-up Andrew White received $100. Both Kantheti and White are Wharton students.
Sigma Nu was looking for candidates with "a firm dedication to extracurricular activities and a great attitude," Sigma Nu scholarship chairman and Engineering sophomore Albert Lin said.
Sigma Nu strongly maintains that the contest is not a recruiting event, and that the fraternity simply wants to promote student community involvement.
In fact, only one of the candidates from last year eventually became a Sigma Nu member.
Kahn said he was pleasantly surprised to win the grand prize scholarship.
"I had no idea what to expect," he said.
Kahn has worked for a homeless outreach program and is a black belt in jujitsu and Krav Maga -- a defense system developed by the Israeli Army. This summer, he worked as an intern at Fox News and wrote several articles for the Web site. In the days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, Kahn worked to provide food and supplies for rescuers.
"I may use [the money] to go visit some friends at other schools," he said.
Runner-up Kantheti organized two blood drives and spent hundreds of hours tutoring at his high school and in the community.
White, the second runner-up, is an accomplished artist who has sold numerous paintings and been commissioned several times. He also worked as a counselor at a camp for disabled children.
"I'll probably put the money in my bank account and let it accumulate," White said. "It's just a nice honor."
Lin commented of the winners, "I believe the money will encourage them to do their best in school."
"We want freshmen to make Penn one of their best experiences," added College and Wharton sophomore Brandon Verblow, the fraternity's scholarship chairman.
After mailing letters to all male freshmen in August, Sigma Nu received applications from 26 candidates. Respondents had to list high school GPA, class rank, SAT scores, their activities and the accomplishment that made them most proud.
"All the applicants were very qualified," Verblow said.
This was the second year that the scholarship contest was held.
