2013 Character Does Matter Recipient – Katherine Gowland
From Katherine: Thank you so much for awarding the Eric Herzberg/Travis Manion Character Does Matter Scholarship to me! I am so grateful and honored to represent such chivalrous men. Next year I will be attending Villanova University and I plan to major in Communications, and do a lot of international traveling. I will definitely keep you updated in the future on where my life takes me, and wish your family good fortune. I plan on attending Villanova University and majoring in Communications, and to also do a lot of international traveling.
Katherine – it’s our privilege to provide you with this scholarship – you earned it. Best of luck to you!
January 2014 Update:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Herzberg,
Happy New Year to you both! Thank you again for the scholarship funds, they were successfully deposited towards my tuition. I have been very well, as I hope the same goes for your family! Here is an update of what I have been up to… I hope this is what you were looking for:
During my first semester at Villanova University, I am grateful to have had so many opportunities to volunteer and serve in my community. In late September, the majority of the Villanova student body came together for its annual Day of Service, where I helped repaint and clean up the North Light Community Center in Philadelphia. It was a very enriching experience because although I only contributed to one role at one site, as a University we made a profound impact on the community surrounding our campus. During the first weekend in November, I was also chosen to be a Local Program Host, for the 25th annual Villanova Special Olympics/Fall Festival. This event is the largest college-run Special Olympics event in the world, and as a Local Program Host, I was assigned to help out, cheer on, and get to know the athletes of a specific county in Pennsylvania (Cambria County). Everyone’s joy and enthusiasm throughout the weekend was so contagious, and I had the best weekend of my life, forming friendships with athletes whom I still keep in touch with today. Back in Severna Park, I also participated in Giving Back Linda’s Legacy on, and leading up to, Christmas Eve. Giving Back has been a very special aspect of Christmas to me for the past 5 years, and the holiday wouldn’t be the same without spreading Christmas cheer and helping members of our community who need our compassion the most. Aside from service, I am also on the Villanova Club Volleyball team, a photographer for the POLIS literary magazine, and a member of the Freshman Leadership Learning Community. I have had an extremely enriching first semester, and can’t wait to see what else Villanova, and my future, have in store for me. I would like to thank the Eric Herzberg Foundation for the constant inspiration that Eric, and other fallen heroes give me to be selfless and serve in every way that I can.
Katherine – it certainly seems that you have jumped into your college experience with great enthusiasm. We are very proud of you. I know Eric would be too. Keep up the great work!
