Rotary International Scholars Attending UNC Asheville

Two Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars are attending UNC Asheville for the 2004-05 academic year. Cecille Isel Flores Aguilar of San Pedro Sula, Honduras and Chari Maria Flores-Palacios of Guatemala, Guatemala are the first-ever Ambassadorial Scholars to attend UNC Asheville. Rotary International sponsors the Ambassador Scholarship program to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries.

UNC Asheville has had two Ambassadorial Scholars who studied in Germany and Scotland.

"Students undergo a fairly arduous process to be selected for the program," said Shirley Browning, UNC Asheville economics professor and chair of the District Ambassadorial Scholarship committee. "They must have excellent academic and personality skills to be an ambassador." Both students are well versed in English and will share their respective history and cultures with Western North Carolina, according to Browning.

Aguilar and Flores-Palacios received $25,000 in scholarship funds from Rotary International to facilitate their transportation, living expenses, tuition and books.

"UNC Asheville is an interesting place," said Aguilar. "I think it is a really good place. The studies are good but the classes are so different. It is harder here than in my home country."

The Asheville Rotary Club is hosting Flores-Palacios and the Asheville Breakfast Rotary Club is hosting Aguilar. Both clubs are part of Rotarian District 7670, which includes all of Western North Carolina.

Media Contacts:

• Dr. Shirley Browning, UNC Asheville Economics Professor, 828/251-6549
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526