Reinhardt Senior Amy Jones Awarded Prestigious Sigma Beta Delta Fellowship
Reinhardt senior Amy Jones, a business major from Howard, Ga., was recently awarded one of only 11 fellowships by the Sigma Beta Delta Fellowship Program for 2011. The Dr. James Bearden 2011 Sigma Beta Delta Fellowship for $1,500 was presented to her in early October.
SBD Fellowship Qualifications
The SBD Fellowship competition was open to any SBD member or student who had been invited to become a member during the 2010-11 academic year and would be enrolled in a business degree program at a regionally accredited college or university during the academic year following the announcement to compete. The recipient must use the fellowship in senior or master’s level study. Each chapter was only allowed to nominate one qualifying SBD member for the awards.
Overcoming life’s obstacles to persevere in the classroom and on the field.
“I am so grateful to have received this fellowship,” said Jones. “I have worked really hard to overcome many obstacles in my life, and have persevered to be successful in my educational, as well as personal life. This award will help me finish my education here at Reinhardt and allow me to reach for my dreams in helping others like me.”
Jones, who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 12, has met much adversity in her life, but surpassed everyone’s expectations and has flourished in her educational and athletic pursuits. At Reinhardt, Jones is a pitcher for the Lady Eagles Softball Team and a business marketing major with a 3.85 GPA. Her softball and academic honors include: NAIA 1st Team All-Freshman Conference and 2nd Team All-Conference, membership in Sigma Beta Delta and Alpha Chi, and Leadership Awards from the McCamish School of Business.
“Amy is a leader in the classroom, and thus, has been recognized with the School’s leadership award,” said Assistant Professor of Business Walter Beck, Reinhardt’s SBD advisor and who nominated Jones for the award. “Her work is exceptional, and she has been successful in the classroom, despite her health issues. It is my honor to have her as a student in my classes and as a member of SBD.”
Sigma Beta Delta background
Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is the highest national recognition a business student can receive at a college or university with a Sigma Beta Delta chapter. To be eligible for membership, a business student must rank in the upper 20 percent of the junior, senior or master’s class and be invited to membership by the faculty officers.
The purposes of Sigma Beta Delta are to encourage and recognize scholarship and achievement among students of business, management and administration, and to encourage and promote personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind.
Changing the lives of others.
After completing her bachelor’s degree at Reinhardt, she plans on continuing her education at the master’s level. Her ultimate goal is to become a spokesperson for insulin pumps.
“As a child, I was very hesitant about using an insulin pump, resulting in my taking shots for seven years,” said Jones. “About a year ago, I reluctantly decided to try an insulin pump, and my life changed dramatically! It has given me the freedoms that I haven’t known in a long time. I am now able to sleep late on Saturdays, and even eat cake on my birthday.
“In the future I would like to speak to children about diabetes and their options in glucose control, and how to adjust to this new lifestyle. I want to change the lives of children struggling with the uncontrollable disease of juvenile diabetes.”