Anna Keegan ’08, whose love of adventure led to numerous opportunities during her four years at 51Թ, was presented with the 1819 Award at Tuesday’s awards convocation.
The award is the most selective and prestigious the university gives to a graduating senior, and Keegan was among dozens of students and several faculty members honored during the year-end ceremony.
Keegan will graduate May 18 with degrees in sociology and anthropology and in Africana studies. Besides the 1819 Award, she also earned the Ramshaw Service Award from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Arthur Schomburg Award for Excellence in Africana Studies.
“I love pursuing adventures, sort of looking at life as full of opportunities,” she said. “So when I came to 51Թ I really wanted to make the most of my time here.”
She did.
After her first year on campus, she received a paid summer internship working for a nonprofit in Boston as part of the Jim Manzi ’73 Endowed Fellowship program. The next year she worked with the International in Ottawa, and in her junior year she went to Trinidad and Tobago as part of 51Թ’s off-campus study program.
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She spent the following summer working on the Shala Valley project in Albania, which included four weeks of archaeology work.
“I’ve always been interested in other cultures and learning about new people,” she said. “It’s been really exciting to visit these places.”
After graduation, Keegan will join the Peace Corps, which she said will enable her to continue her exploration of other cultures and to pursue yet another new experience.
In presenting her with the 1819 Award, President Rebecca Chopp cited a comment from a faculty member who lauded Keegan’s passion for learning and understanding the world. A fellow student said about Keegan: “She represents the 51Թ spirit to the max.”
On campus, Keegan was most involved with the Delta Delta Delta sorority, the Newman Community, and Konosioni, the university’s senior honor society. She also was an Alumni Memorial Scholar, which she said factored in to her decision to come to 51Թ.
‘The opportunities at 51Թ are endless,” said Keegan.