Scholars lead, serve over spring break

(March 18, 2016) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – McConnell Scholars lead, study and serve while traveling the country during UofL's spring break.
Scholars lead, serve over spring break

McConnell Scholars with alumni John Weber ('12) and Justin Tooley ('08) on Capitol Hill

McConnell Scholars spent their week-long spring break conducting a variety of service-oriented and scholastic activities in New York City, Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Asheville, N.C.

  • Landon Lauder ('17) and Macey Mayes ('18) spent the week in New York City for an honors seminar with the University of Louisville. The trip is a culmination experience for the semester-long seminar entitled "New York City Modernism."
  • Scholars Victoria Allen ('16) and Kevin Grout ('16), along with alumnus and current UofL Brandeis School of Law student John Weber ('12), traveled to Washington, D.C., where they advocated for educational funding. The trio served as part of the UofL contingent for the ACC Conference delegation. UofL students met with members of the Kentucky Congressional Delegation to discuss federal grants and loans, federal research spending and legislation to address sexual assault on campus.
  • Bridget Kim ('19) participated in an alternative spring break to Asheville, N.C., with UofL's Engage Lead Serve Board. Kim worked with the local YMCA division to develop their nutrition program, including serving in mobile food kitchen, leading food demonstrations for elementary school kids and organizing food pantries.
  • Christian Bush ('18) and Kyle Hilbrecht ('18) participated in an alternative spring break trip in New Orleans. They spent the week in the lower 9th ward of the city, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. They worked alongside a variety of nonprofits and local service organizations doing a number of tasks, including cleaning, recycling, gardening, and painting classrooms for local schools.

"We are really learning more about how Katrina affected (and to some degree still affects) the community," Bush said. "It has been a good experience."

– Chloe Zoeller