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George Wingfield Semmes Memorial Scholarship

About | History | Membership | Semmes | ANAK Award | Funding

Founding members of the ANAK Society
George Wingfield Semmes

George Wingfield Semmes was a 1910 Mechanical Engineering graduate of Georgia Tech. In addition to being an outstanding academic achiever, Mr. Semmes was also a dedicated leader with a strong character and a true love for Georgia Tech. Semmes served as the Senior class Treasurer and Secretary. Semmes was also part of Glee Club, Mandolin Club, Bull Dog Club, and served as ANAK President in 1910. The George Wingfield Semmes Memorial Scholarship was established in his memory.

Awards:

Qualifications: 

Scholarship Application Process:

Application Make-Up:

A completed application consists of the following:

Applicant Criteria:

Competitive applicants will exhibit the following:

Scholarship Timeline:

Recent Winners

Devasena Sitaram is the recipient of the grand prize 2024 George Wingfield Semmes Memorial Scholarship for $10,000. Devasena is a 3rd-year Mechanical Engineering student set to graduate in August 2025. Devasena is passionate about engineering and being a mentor to other students entering the field. She served as a Teaching Assistant for one of the most crucial classes for ME students, ME 2110, mentored a first-year student as a part of Women in Engineering, and served on the Woodruff Student Advisory Committee. Devasena’s love for engineering has led her to Georgia Tech’s Engineers Without Borders, where she serves as a Project Lead for the Malawi Project. This team implements latrines to improve sanitation infrastructure for a rural school in Mpitilira, Malawi. Devasena leads this team by empowering diverse ideas and voices and setting clear boundaries with them. Devasena is not just a mechanical engineering student but a compassionate and dedicated leader. Her experiences, from international service to inclusive mentorship, reflect a commitment to making a positive impact in the engineering field and embodying the values of Georgia Tech's motto: "Progress and Service." Post-graduation, Devasena envisions using her education to pursue service-based innovation, using her Georgia Tech academic and volunteer experiences to drive sustainability initiatives in the engineering field. The ANAK Society is proud to have Devasena as our 2024 George Wingfield Semmes Memorial Scholarship grand prize winner.

Devasena Sitaram
Semmes Scholarship Winner 2024

Ilyana Bonfoh

Ilyana Bonfoh is one of the runner-up prize winners for the 2024 George Wingfield Semmes Memorial Scholarship, receiving an award of $5,000. Ilyana is a 3rd-year Biomedical Engineering student, set to graduate in May 2025. Ilyana is a compassionate leader, effective communicator, and advocate for positive change. Ilyana led as Campus Director for the 2023 Millennium Fellowship Cohort, is highly involved with Georgia Tech’s Engineers Without Borders, and served as Miss Gold for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Ilyana mentored young girls as a camp counselor for STEM Gems, introducing them to STEM careers and the opportunities available at Tech. She extends support to students interested in transferring to Georgia Tech, providing advice, assistance with applications, and connections to students in their desired major. Post-graduation, Ilyana aims to contribute to humanitarian engineering, focusing on sustainable medical infrastructure and accessible medical device design for international communities. Her commitment to empathy, communication, and courage positions her as a valuable contributor to both the Georgia Tech community and to her future endeavors.

Paulina Morales

Paulina Morales is one of the runner-up prize winners for the 2024 George Wingfield Semmes Memorial Scholarship, receiving an award of $5,000. Paulina is a 3rd-year Biomedical Engineering student, set to graduate in May 2025. Her leadership journey at Georgia Tech showcases a commitment to academic excellence, mentorship, and community engagement. She served as a BMED 2110 Teaching Assistant, a CS 1332 PLUS Leader, and Math 1553 PLUS Leader. Outside of the classroom, Paulina mentors students through the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, invites students to campus as a Tour Guide, and is a FASET Leader. Upon graduation, Paulina aspires to embody Georgia Tech's motto of "Progress and Service" by leveraging her interdisciplinary knowledge in Biomedical Engineering and Robotics. Her research experiences in cutting-edge projects reflect her commitment to driving progress in healthcare technology. Paulina is not just a Biomedical Engineering student; she is a leader, mentor, and advocate for a positive and inclusive campus experience. Her multifaceted contributions showcase a deep love for Georgia Tech and a dedication to creating a supportive and dynamic academic community.