As a scholarship recipient last year, I would like to update the foundation on my progress. When I reflect on my freshman year, I can not help but think of the progress I have made in terms of growth and maturity as a student and a person. As a premed student, I plan to declare molecular biology as my major. From an academic standpoint, I consider my year a success and I look forward to continuing my education. Although there are a wide variety of activities that I enjoyed outside the classroom during the year, my involvement in the GetSet program during the second half of the year was the most memorable. The program provided a variety of activities for youth in Trenton, New Jersey as part of an after school program. Through my interaction with the youth I learned that any individual can have a profound impact on others through volunteer work, even if it is for only a few hours each day. I was truly blessed to be able to contribute something back to my community by helping others in need through this program. 

After completing my first year, I was very fortunate to have a summer internship at Morgan Stanley in New York City. Because of my interest in the biological sciences and the field of healthcare, the firm assigned me to the healthcare services team in the equity research department. During my internship I wrote an initiation report for a company focused on providing healthcare to prematurely born and critically ill infants. By studying a healthcare company from the financial angle, I was able to learn about the difficulties of providing quality care while maintaining a profitable practice. The knowledge that I gained from my experience will help me in the future as I move into the field of healthcare. 

For me the Berkeley scholarship represents opportunity. My dream of attending a prestigious university and studying to become a physician could not have been achieved without the financial support of foundations like the one established in Michael J. Berkeley’s name. When I attended the tournament, I was inspired by the number of people devoted to supporting students like myself who wished to continue their educations. Although words can not express my true gratitude, I would just like to thank the foundation for all of the support.

Franco Garcia-Lopez
My name is Franco Garcia-Lopez and I live in San Diego, California. 

I would like to thank all the people, organizations and sponsors that made the scholarship from the Michael J. Berkeley Foundation possible.  I am very grateful.  This money will be applied towards my tuition. 

This year I transferred from Dominican University in Northern California to the University of San Diego to be home to help take care of my ailing mother.  I am happy to be home.

At USD I am continuing my major in Business and am really enjoying the academic challenges at this university.  I am carrying 18 units, have joined a fraternity, an international business club, and am also working on campus 20 hours a week.  By the end of each day, I am exhausted but I like that. 

I tried out for the USD golf team but was not successful.  However, I do not look at this as a setback, but rather as an opportunity to re-focus on my career goals. 

Golf is pretty much a full time job and I do not believe I would be able to accomplish both, golf and my academics, at the same time.  I still play local golf tournaments both competitive and fundraisers.  There is a major sponsor, the Sycuan Indians, who have offered to sponsor me, when I am ready.  I am not ready, not just yet.  I want to finish my education first. 

After finishing my BA, I am considering continuing on either to law school or a MBA.  However, I am also interested in pursuing a Masters degree at the Peace and Justice School at USD.  If I pursue this program, I would be able to spend a year in any one of the continents, Asia, Europe, or Africa participating in the program or at the United Nations.  The latter really interests me. 

Only time will tell, but right now I am having a very challenging year and again, wish to thank you very much for granting me the Michael J. Berkeley Foundation Scholarship 2006.  With the help of this scholarship, I am able to continue forward with my education. 

I am quite sure that one day I will be in a position to give back to the organizations, foundations and special people who not only encouraged me but made it possible for me to get an education.

Kevin A. Lyles

I want to thank you for selecting me again this year to receive this prestigious award.  I also want to thank all of the Corporate Sponsors, Personal Sponsors, and Friends of the Foundation who have made the Michael J. Berkeley Scholarship possible for students and aspiring golfers who desire to continue Michael J. Berkeley’s legacy. 

The Michael J. Berkeley Scholarship has continuously benefited me in a number of different ways.  Two years ago I was bestowed the honor of being a Michael J. Berkeley Scholarship recipient during my freshman year of college.  Receiving the Michael J. Berkeley Scholarship was an all around eye-opening experience.  Until then, I do not believe I had ever interacted with an organization that exerted such class and professionalism.  Every aspect of my visit to New York, for the Michael J. Berkeley Memorial Golf Tournament was outstanding, including the accommodations, the golf, and every Michael J. Berkeley supporter I had the pleasure to meet.  After returning back to college, I knew applying for the Scholarship was going to be a high priority the next year.

Playing well in the Michael J. Berkeley Memorial Golf Tournament had increased my confidence as I set out to “walk on” to the University of North Carolina Golf Team.  I was disappointed when I did not make the team, and set my sights on walking on my sophomore year.  When that did not happen, I began to lose my focus and settled into college life without golf.  Soon, I was not giving my academics the attention they required and, without realizing it, I fell into a revolving cycle of complacency.  When I re-applied for the Michael J. Berkeley Scholarship, my lack of focus was evident to the scholarship committee and I was not awarded the scholarship that year.  Even though many very deserving students apply, not winning the Michael J. Berkeley Scholarship was difficult to deal with, and it made me take a critical and objective look at my poor study habits and other derailing behaviors in my life.  After re-evaluating myself, I knew it was time for me to make a change in the direction my life had taken. 

To this day, I am convinced that not winning the Michael J. Berkeley Scholarship a year ago was one of the best things that could have happened to me.  Since this pivotal moment in my life, I have gotten my life and my golf game back on track.  In the Fall of 2006, I transferred to Fayetteville State University in Division II.  It took a lot of hard work and determination to get back into the game, and I earned a spot on the Broncos Golf Team playing third man most of the season.  We won the 2007 CIAA Conference Western Division title, CIAA Conference Eastern Division title, CIAA Golf Champions, and the 21st PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Champions.  Having regained my focus in golf, I also regained my focus in my academic studies.  I completed the year with strong performance in both areas of my life.  Being awarded the Michael J. Berkeley Scholarship has truly been an inspiration and source of motivation for me.  I will continue to strive to exemplify the characteristics of Michael J. Berkeley’s work ethic, integrity, and leadership in every aspect of my life.

Jared Williams

Thank you very much.  Words cannot express the importance of the Scholarship for me and my family.  The Scholarship will once again be a great help in the continuing of my education.

 

 

 

 

Marcus Lomax
I want to say THANK YOU for awarding me with this WONDERFUL scholarship.  The Scholarship will, without doubt, help fund my college education this year without putting a lot of strain on my parents.