By Anna Bennett, amb7yjt@virginia.edu
A University of Virginia student who helped reshape the University’s honor system is being recognized for her contributions.
Carson Breus, an Echols Scholar majoring in Commerce and Asian studies, has won the Sky Alland Scholarship, covering next academic year’s full tuition and fees. The award recognizes Breus’ achievement, leadership, enterprising spirit, humility, and devotion to the University.
“I’m incredibly grateful and honored to be selected as this year’s Sky Alland Scholar! This scholarship motivates me to continue helping my community on Grounds through upholding the legacy of leadership and service that defines it,” she says. “My McIntire experience has been instrumental; it truly shaped my perspective on how to enact change and inspired me to start new initiatives on Grounds, such as creating the Consulting Recruitment Mentorship Program and becoming the inaugural student ambassador for The Jefferson Trust. Being a part of Block 2 has taught me how to solve pressing issues, communicate effectively, and thrive in a team environment, all of which have helped me make a difference at UVA.”
Breus says she is particularly appreciative of the “uplifting and supportive environment” at the Commerce School that she says is the result of McIntire students, faculty, and staff. “I’m especially thankful for McIntire alum Rich Diemer, who has mentored me throughout my internship with CAV Angels,” she adds.
As Vice Chair of UVA’s Honor Committee, Breus leads and coordinates sanctioning panels for honor cases. She was instrumental in a recent rewrite of the committee’s constitution, which was ratified by students in a referendum.
Breus has also impressed those at nonprofit entrepreneurial investment organization CAV Angels. Diemer, her CAV Angels mentor, nominated Breus for the award, describing the CAV Angels venture intern as “one of the engines enabling the amazing growth and development of our organization.”
In her free time, Breus regularly tutors 40 student-athletes and has served as an ambassador for The Jefferson Trust.
“Carson has lent her leadership to make profound contributions to diverse University organizations…all while excelling academically,” says Ruthe Haile, who chairs the Sky Alland Scholarship Endowment.
The Sky Alland Scholarship is named for J. Schuyler Alland, a 1979 graduate of UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce and entrepreneur who built a successful national marketing research company. Alland died in 1992.
This story was originally published on UVA Today on May 1, 2024.
