Andrew Meglathery: “Mr. Mayor” of the Allwein Scholars

This May, Lebanon Valley College will celebrate its 149th Commencement, which coincides with the graduation of the first class of prestigious Allwein Scholars.

The John Bowman Allwein Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship for four undergraduate years awarded to incoming freshmen. Established by Dr. John Bowman Allwein, LVC Class of 1965, it also includes a $2,500 annual stipend for research, internships, or study abroad. These scholars are chosen based on several credentials achieved during their years of high school. Students ranks among the top of their class, are involved in extra-curricular activities, and show an interest in LVC.

Andrew Meglathery, a senior actuarial science major, is among the College’s first class of Allwein Scholars. As graduation nears, Meglathery reflects on the opportunity the scholarship gave him.

“Overall, the scholarship made a positive impact on my LVC career,” Meglathery said. “I’ve used my stipend to pay actuarial science exams study materials and fees,” Meglathery said. “I’ve also purchased parts for a computer I built and used to help Dr. Barry Smith [associate professor of mathematical sciences] in some research. These additional funds also helped me take an internship in Hartford, Conn., and spend a week in Ireland with 11 other Allwein Scholars.”

After graduation, Meglathery will move to Chicago to work with Allstate as a property and casualty actuarial analyst. He said the one thing he will take away from his time at Lebanon Valley College is that “life is more about being than doing. In college, it’s easy to get so caught up in your academic work; students sometimes forget to stop and smell the roses.”

Meglathery also acknowledged the influence of Dr. Allwein’s extreme generosity.

“I couldn’t be thankful enough for the scholarship he established,” Meglathery said. “More than anything I want to assure Dr. Allwein that his gift won’t end with me or any of the other Allwein scholars because his gift is allowing us to give to others. Somewhere down the line, we will each be able to give back.”

For all seniors, graduation is a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to The Valley and open new doors into the world. Meglathery would like to leave behind his legacy of the original “Mayor” of the Allwein Scholars.

“I always tried to meet the new scholars,” Meglathery said. “That degree of extraversion, is why I earned the title of “Mr. Mayor,” which was a name I wanted to live up to while organizing the group trip to Ireland. It was a huge honor to be part of the inaugural class of Allwein Scholars, and I’m going to try to return year after year to meet the new scholars and extend a hand of friendship. I’m ecstatic for this group to grow into a community of professionals.”

The Allwein Scholars and the Class of 2018 will graduate in Louis A. Sorrentino Gymnasium on Saturday, May 12, 2018.

 

-- By Jolie Winemiller ’18 for ENG 430 Feature Writing