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Sigma Phi Epsilon awards scholarships to three “Balanced” UTM students


The TN Kappa Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp) recently awarded three freshman males with a $500 scholarship on Thursday, August 22, 2002, to be used during the spring semester at UT Martin.

Each fall, SigEp awards three Balanced Man Scholarships (BMS) to freshman males who exhibit the aspects of the Balanced Man: the gentleman, the scholar, the athlete, and the leader. This year, there were 500 applicants who applied for the scholarship. The scholarships were awarded to Jacob Melton, an engineering major from Big Sandy; Dustin Patterson, an animal science major from Dresden; and James Robinson, a pre-dentistry major from Huntingdon.

“We look for the balanced man,” said John Lankford, vice-president of SigEp and also a past scholarship recipient, “We don’t look for just the mind, but also in the heart. It takes heart to be a balanced man.”

Jacob Melton graduated with a 3.978 grade point average (GPA) from Big Sandy High School and was valedictorian of his high school class, co-captain of his basketball team, Homecoming King his senior year and also did volunteer work for the Benton County Relay for Life. “I was kind of surprised,” said Melton, “I didn’t really think I would get the scholarship.”

Dustin Patterson graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Dresden High School and was salutatorian of his high school class, class president, co-captain of his football team, was a member of student council and also did volunteer work for his local Meals on Wheels program. “It is a very big award,” said Patterson, “BMS is a very important award. It takes a lot of qualities to get the scholarship. I’m very proud to be receiving it.”

James Feild Robinson graduated with a 3.44 GPA from Huntingdon High School and was a four-year letterman in varsity football and baseball. Robinson was also involved in Student Council, the Science Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Lads to Leaders. “I’m very excited about receiving the scholarship,” said Robinson “because it will help my schooling.”

“I feel that we had many strong candidates,” said Jeff Davis, BMS Chair, “and I hope that all the candidates will serve the UT Martin community and become leaders throughout their college careers.”

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Greg Sirising