June 01, 2009 GROVE CITY, Pa. – Marshall Birkey, a 2009 Grove City College graduate and native of Oak Park, Ill., has been awarded a 2010-2011 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship to pursue graduate studies abroad. Rotary International District 7280, which covers northwest Pennsylvania, sponsors the scholarship for study abroad for one academic year. It provides funding up to $24,000 for tuition and fees, round-trip transportation, room, board, some educational supplies and language training, if necessary. Birkey is the first Grove City College student to receive the graduate-level scholarship from the district. Jeremy Logan Shull ’04 received a 2002-2003 undergraduate Ambassadorial scholarship to study in Northern Ireland. Through the scholarship, Birkey will study at one of five possible institutions: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru in Lima, Peru; Universidad Nacional Costa Rica in Heredia, Costa Rica; Universidad Católica Santo Domingo in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Universidad de Valencia or Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, both in Spain. The exact location of Birkey’s study abroad has yet to be determined by the Rotary International Foundation. Birkey, who earned dual degrees in business economics and Spanish, plans to enroll in a Spanish language master’s program focusing on economic development. His interest lies in the role that innovative businesses and non-profit organizations play in stimulating growth with self-sustaining development programs. For the upcoming year, Birkey will work with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation in Washington, D.C. “I am very honored and excited to be chosen as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar. I have the incredible opportunity to represent the Rotary Foundation and my country as I live and study in a Spanish speaking culture,” Birkey said. “I am especially grateful to my family and my professors at Grove City College who have taught and advised me, making this opportunity possible.” The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship program is the largest privately sponsored international scholarship program in the world. The program began in 1947 and has sponsored about 38,000 scholars from about 100 countries. During their studies abroad, the Ambassadorial Scholars act as “ambassadors of goodwill” through appearances before Rotary clubs, schools, civic organizations and other forums. The scholars represent their homeland and work to improve and further international understanding. 100 Campus Drive | Grove City, Pennsylvania 16127 | 724-458-2000