Since the 2010 Periclean Scholars’ induction on April 11, 2007, the members have dedicated themselves to socioeconomic development in Kpoeta, Ghana, raising $9,500 of the $10,000 goal they set to build a healthcare center in the village.

Kpoeta is in dire need of this healthcare facility, since the closest facilities are more than seven miles away. In a world where cars are scarce and walking is the primary means of transportation, this poses a great problem.

The Periclean Scholars are confident that a new healthcare center located in the village will help the people live more sustainable and healthier lives.

To raise the money, the Scholars held “dorm storms” asking students to donate money, held individual garage sales and collected money from family and friends.

They also received a $2,000 grant from the national Project Pericles office in New York City, along with a $2,000 matching grant from Elon.

“Few companies have been involved yet, but that’s a direction that I would like to see us take in the future,” said Kaitlin Carlin, member of the 2010 Periclean Scholars. “I think the more companies we can involve, the more people will be aware of the need. If we can get people emotionally invested in the program, the money will follow.”

It’s more than just the large amounts of money raised that sets the 2010 Periclean Scholars apart from the previous classes.

“The application process that they were subjected to was the most rigorous to date,” said Dr. Heidi Frontani, faculty adviser to the Scholars.

In past years, applicants merely had to submit a short essay on why they wanted to be a Periclean Scholar, and what contributions they could make to the program.

This year, in addition to the essay, applicants had to propose a specific development project for coastal, eastern or northern Ghana based on the cultural groups, economy and geographic features of their selected sub-region. Finally, the applicants each participated in a 30-minute interview and committed to completing 12 semester hours of Periclean Scholars courses.

“I am so grateful that Elon is one of the few colleges that offers Project Pericles to its students, and I am extremely honored to be a member of it,” scholar Olivia Ackerman said. “I feel a sense of connection to the rest of the world and gratification that I am helping someone somewhere. Project Pericles has put my life into perspective.

“It proves that just because you don’t see people living in poor conditions, that does not mean that they don’t exist.”

The 2010 Periclean Scholars consist of 34 members and 14 “Friends of 2010 Pericleans,” other 2010 students who also help out with the program, but are not officially part of it.

Visit 2010 Periclean Scholars homepage: http://org.elon.edu/pericleanscholars2010/

Reporter: Ashley Dischinger - 09/05/07