Senior awarded inaugural Gros Louis scholarship

Optimistic, outgoing and dedicated.\nThese are the words senior Erin McGonigal used to describe herself -- clearly the same qualities others noted when she was named the first-ever recipient of the Kenneth R. R. Gros Louis scholarship.\nThe annual $5,000 award is to "(honor) Gros Louis' remarkable service to IU as a professor, dean and chancellor," and was established upon his retirement in 2001, according to a statement. \nThe IU Foundation's scholarship info Web page states that Gros Louis was known for having "an ear for student concerns as well as being a guardian of their hopes and desires, he has long been a voice in the service of Indiana University." The scholarship is to be "a lasting tribute to a man who has made a difference in the lives of thousands of students."\nMcGonigal, a fine arts major with minors in business and psychology, will receive her award and be recognized 3 p.m. Friday in the University Club of the IMU. The award is for use during the student's senior year at IU.\n"I was so shocked and surprised when I found out I'd gotten it," McGonigal said upon hearing the results this past summer. "I'm honored."\nThe Indianapolis native and IU Student Foundation Steering Committee member is an Honors College student, has made the dean's list every semester, teaches first grade faith formation at Bloomington's St. Paul's Catholic Church and is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. On top of her full class load and active volunteer schedule, McGonigal also works at the SRSC as a lifeguard.\n"I don't know what free time is," she joked. \nWhen asked what the most influential figures are in her life, McGonigal didn't hesitate with a response.\n"I look up to my parents. They laid the foundation starting at a young age and taught me morality and values," she said. "They're very supportive and are the strong motivational factor in my life."\nMcGonigal said her experiences with IUSF have gained her more essential experiences than any of her activities.\n"Earning a spot in IUSF has taught me so much," McGonigal said. "It's taught me leadership, time management, organization…and it's opened up a lot of opportunities to meet new people. \n"What I do doesn't even compare to what half the students on this campus do," she said. "But it's great knowing that the work I've done here over the last few years has been recognized and is appreciated."\nFor more information on the Kenneth R. R. Gros Louis Scholarship, visit http://iufoundation.iu.edu/gros-louis/.