Natacha Karambizi (center), Consolee Mfura Mukarohashy (mother on left), Venuste Karambiz, (father on right)
Photo Credits: John Byrum / john.byrum@shj.com
Chemistry major Natacha Karambizi graduated magna cum laude from Converse College on a beautiful May day and is now headed to Texas A&M University with a full scholarship in her hand to pursue her doctorate. A SCICU Student Research Grant and the caring community of one independent college helped to pave the way for Natacha’s unlikely journey.
The SCICU grant allowed Natacha to conduct chemical research with Converse chemical professor Dr. Sheri Strickland and to present her grant-funded work at the annual SCICU Research Symposium and at the Western Carolinas American Chemical Society meeting at Furman University. The SCICU grant opened the doors to more sophisticated research at the University of South Carolina.
A resident of Kigali, Rwanda, Natacha spent holidays and summers with education professor Dr. Lisa Schoer and her husband, Jack. And when money ran out during Natacha’s freshman year, Converse President Dr. Betsy Fleming worked to find the funds to help Natacha bridge the financial gap and remain with her class.
Contributions from SCICU’s many supporters to programs like student research grants and scholarships and the personal attention that students receive at private non-profit liberal arts colleges like Converse College, help to pave the way for thousands of students each year.
Read more about Natacha, her family, and her remarkable achievements at http://www.goupstate.com/article/2015150519672.