RCB Scholarship Recipient Kylan Benson Awarded Rotary Global Grant Scholarship

RCB Foundation Jim Hughey Jr. Scholarship recipient Kylan Benson recently graduated from Harvard University and has been awarded a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship to study at the University of Edinburgh

The Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) recently welcomed 2022 RCB Foundation Jim Hughey Jr. Scholarship recipient Kylan Benson to share an update on his college experience and post-graduate plans. The Ramsay High School graduate recently earned a bachelors in Government and History from Harvard University.

Benson explained how the RCB Foundation scholarship provided key support for expenses not covered by his financial aid. He said the scholarship was particularly valuable because it renewed each year. “Not a lot of scholarships are recurring,” he said. “That was a very huge part of being able to be a successful student and not have to worry about so many financial troubles.” He recalled using scholarship funds during his first week of college when he became sick and needed medicine—an unexpected expense he had not anticipated as a first-generation college student.

During his time at Harvard, Benson also took advantage of opportunities beyond the classroom. During his freshman year, he enrolled in a graduate seminar taught by Henry Louis Gates Jr. After completing the course, Gates recommended Benson for a research program in Turkey, where he spent two weeks following his freshman year. Benson described experiences such as these as an important part of his college education.

Benson was excited to share that he has been awarded a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship to pursue his Master’s in Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh, where he will be hosted by the Esk Valley Rotary Club. He looks forward to returning to Birmingham after the year-long program in Scotland. “Long term, I want to come back to Birmingham and get involved in policy and government work,” Benson said. “I want to make an impact on the community that has impacted me so much.”

Benson thanked RCB members for their support and said he looks forward to continuing his connection with Rotary during his graduate studies. “I’m very grateful to Rotary for this support, especially the Birmingham club,” he said.