Update: A must-read letter of thanks from the 2008 LSU Atlanta Scholarship recipient

Amanda Perrilloux (blonde at top of pile) surrounded by her new friends at LSU.

Amanda Perrilloux, the 2008 LSU Atlanta Scholarship recipient, recently wrote a letter to former chapter President Laura Jones that we would like to share with everyone.  Amanda is adjusting well to her new academic life and is fully enjoying the LSU experience.  Amanda writes:

Dear Laura,

               Greetings from Red Stick, Louisiana!  I thought I would send you all a little e-mail letting you know how it is going at LSU and what I have been up to.  As most of you either know or can assume, I came to LSU knowing very few people and only knowing them as acquaintances.  I am happy to say however, that over the last semester I have made several good friends. 

                LSU is a beautiful school and it fills me with wonder every day with new and exciting experiences.  I have had several wonderful professors, I’m not sure if any of you would know them, but a few are, Mrs. Christine Cowan, my first semester English teacher (I am majoring in Creative Writing you know) and Dr. Christopher Gregg, who has been one of my favorite Biology teachers in all of my school years (he did all of his PowerPoint slides in purple and gold, what spirit!).

                As for football games, I have of course gone to a plethora!  LSU has totally changed my attitude towards football.  And though I may honestly say I will never put on the television for a Saints game or any basketball or hockey game, when it comes to LSU I would do anything.  I went to the first game of the season (one of the few we actually won) and wore my pajama pants in the LSU tradition.  Unfortunately it is definitely just the lame freshmen who wear them (like me).  However, a hurricane was blowing towards us and as many of you know the game was moved to twelve in the afternoon.  So, my first football game was rather uncomfortable.  I ended up sunburned, my hair was frizzed horribly, and I was drenched in sweat.  But, we won! And I was thrilled (I also got my ticket for free)!  I went to many of the other games including Georgia which I’m sure was a huge disappointment to all of us.  I also was one of the many people who left at the halftime show during Troy, and we had a spectacular comeback which I missed.  However it was FREEZING, and I was wearing flip flops (always as my mother would say).  I learned many of the LSU traditions and songs that are sang before the game.  I also learned some dirty and very negative cheers, but hey, that’s LSU Pride for you.

                For academics my GPA last semester was a 3.2 and I hope to have an even higher one this semester.  I didn’t drop any of my classes and only missed (skipped) once!  I pulled my first “all-nighter” for my Art History Final which was at seven thirty in the morning (I took a thirty minute nap around six) and ended up getting a 92 on the exam which made me extremely happy.  This semester I am taking another English (of course), Spanish 2102 (intermediate), Biology 1002 (which is the last Biology I will have to take EVER!), ISDS 1101 (for my Business minor), and Roman History which is the coolest History class I have ever taken.  I have another amazing English teacher this semester but unfortunately I have yet to learn his name.  We are reading Robinson Crusoe and I feel as t hough I have never dug so deep into a book!  My Spanish class is also going exceedingly well, it is the perfect fit and even though it is at seven thirty in the morning, I love going to it.

                In personal triumphs-my best I suppose is that I have lost about twenty five pounds.  I love that LSU is so large and walking friendly!  I walk everywhere.  I also go swimming at the UREC on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with my friend Chelsea.  On Sundays I am supposed to start a cycling class with her and upon occasion I walk (jog for a few minutes) around the lakes.  The cafeterias are also very nice when you don’t consider all of the bad food you can easily find there (my weakness currently being Lucky Charms which are magically delicious).  Also, I was elected senator of Herget (the freshman dorm) and I hope to become an RA next year which will hopefully get rid of the large cost that is Room and Board at LSU.  I am ve ry excited to see what next year brings and am so glad to be back after Christmas Break.

                As always, I am much obliged to you for the Scholarship you have bestowed upon me!  I hope you all know that I appreciate it very much and that you are all helping me live so many people’s dream, and my own.  I enjoy LSU so much and sincerely Thank You for all that you have done with getting me ready for LSU.  I am so excited to be here and so glad I have met you all.  And as tradition calls, GEAUX TIGERS!

 Thank You all again,

 Amanda Perrillioux

An important focus of the LSU Atlanta Chapter is raising funds for scholarship endowments with the LSU Alumni Association in Baton Rouge. Membership dues, proceeds from Chapter events and contributions to the LSU Alumni Association Atlanta Chapter go toward our scholarship endowment program. The Atlanta Chapter Scholarship Award provides $500 for each semester to a worthy recipient selected by LSUAA.

The Atlanta Chapter completed its first $20,000 scholarship endowment in 2005, one year ahead of our initial goal. LSU Atlanta began funding a second $20,000 scholarship endowment in 2006 and has contributed $15,477 through Dec. 2008. The Board voted to make this a Leadership Scholarship.

If you would like to contribute to the Greater Atlanta Alumni Chapter Scholarship II, please consider joining our chapter by clicking the "Become a Member" link in the navigation menu at the top of lsuatlanta.com. You can also send a contribution to LSUAA in Baton Rouge. Make your check payable to the LSU Alumni Association-Greater Atlanta Chapter Scholarship and send to Susan Ballard at the LSU Alumni Association, 3838 West Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. You may also contribute online via www.lsualumni.org. If contributing online, be sure to indicate that your gift should be credited to the Greater Atlanta Alumni Chapter Scholarship II. If you work for a matching company, don’t forget to include your employer matching gift form that the Alumni Association will process to double or even triple your gift.

Summary of LSU Atlanta Scholarship Program

We have one endowed scholarship ($20,000) and are in process of endowing our second (also $20,000). The money is guaranteed to grow 5 percent per year; thus, the scholarship awards $500 per semester. It is a one year scholarship and is not renewable. 1) Administered by LSU Alumni Association, Baton Rouge. For selection, disperse money, manage funds. Recipient selected by scholarship selection committee of the LSU Alumni Assoc (BR) and approved by Greater Atlanta LSU Alumni Chapter 2) Endowed—The principal of this fund shall not be invaded or expended for any other purpose. 3) Although the Atlanta LSU Alumni raise funds to endow the scholarship, anyone can send a check to LSUAA in Baton Rouge and designate their gift is for Scholarship II. 4) To qualify for scholarship: - Residence in Greater Atlanta area: Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Fayette, Douglas, Cherokee, Paulding - Accepted by LSU as full time student on undergraduate level. - Earned 3.0 cumulative grade point ave on a 4.0 scale in high school courses and a score of 26 or higher on the ACT or equivalent SAT. - Meet other requirements consistent with LSU policy.