Jacqueline Dan­zig, a 2010 graduate of Colorado Col­lege, with a major in music, is the winner of the Alpha Asso­ciation’s 2010 grad­uate scholarship for $4,000. Ms. Danzig was initiated into the Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 2010.  She is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Colorado College.

Ms. Danzig graduated valedictorian of the CC Class of 2010 and was granted the award of Distinction in Music based on her senior thesis, which required original research on a collection of Spanish New Mexican folk music.  She also presented a paper based on her thesis at the annual meeting of the Society for American Music in Ottawa, Canada, in March 2010, a rare honor for an under­graduate student.

A talented musician, athlete, and student leader, Ms. Danzig received numerous awards and honors during her undergraduate years, including:  the Ann Rice Memorial Award for contributions to the college through dedica­tion to the goals of a liberal arts education (2009); the Christine S. Johnson Scholarship for de­serv­ing music students (2009–2010); the Crown Goodman Scholarship Award for aca­demic record and contributions to the total life of the college (2009); Involved Student of the Year Award for outstanding involvement in and service to the CC community (2010, chosen by the student body); Mortar Board Honor Society (2010); National Scholars Honor Society (2007); Blue Key Honor Society (2009); and Most Inspirational Player (goalkeeper), CC Tigers NCAA Division 1 Soccer Team (2007).

Among her many activities, Ms. Danzig played first chair baritone saxophone in CC’s concert band and jazz ensemble; co-founded and played baritone sax for a student funk band, which she also managed; co-founded and served as program director for the CC student-run radio station; served as a first-year experi­ence mentor, junior and senior class president, new student orientation trip leader, and student hu­manities representative on the committee on instruction (a committee that makes curriculum decisions with the goal of strengthening liberal arts education at CC); and was the featured stu­dent presenter in April 2010 at the scholarship appreciation dinner.

Ms. Danzig’s goal is to become a music teacher and mentor to her students, using a multidiscipli­nary approach as part of a commitment to broad liberal learning.

Upon finding out that she had won the scho­larship, Ms. Danzig wrote, “After my very emo­tional response of shock, tears of joy, and laughter, I called my family to share the good news. The scholarship will greatly reduce the financial strain of graduate school for my family. I feel very honored and proud to be the 2010 scholarship recipient, especially because I know that the other 13 applicants were very highly qualified Phi Beta Kappa members.”

The picture she sent is of her hiking on Cordova Pass in San Isabel National Forest at West Spanish Peak. She says that this photo reminds her of “one of the best days I have had in my four years here in Colorado. I know there will be many more great Colorado mountain days to come!”

This year 14 PBK initiates applied for our graduate scholarship, the most appli­cants we have ever had. The Scholarship Committee, consisting of Cheryl Outerbridge, Anne Tauri­ello, Stacy Householder, Doug Yates, and Larry Van Horn, found that all of this year’s appli­cants had excellent credentials.  The committee members first completed a com­prehensive quantitative rating form on each applicant and then selected the recom­mended winner after a lengthy discussion.  The Alpha Association board then approved the recommendation.