LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 30, 2009) - You won’t find Kappa Chapter member Sam Nicaise whiling away his time between classes at the University of Kentucky. Many college undergrads focus on academics and devote any remaining free time to television, texting and facebook. Sam however, is an exception to this status quo. This past spring semester, Sam dedicated over 234 hours of community service to local charities. In June, he led a team of 13 students from the University of Kentucky’s Engineering Department to plan and build Gato Del Sol III, a solar powered car for the annual Formula Sun Grand Prix at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, Texas.
Despite Sam’s enthusiasm for extracurricular activities, he refuses to allow academics to become second in his college career. Sam is a Goldwater Scholar, an award of free tuition under the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education program. The award is presented nationally to only 300 sophomores and juniors annually in the fields of science, mathematics and engineering. Each university is allowed only four nominations making the honor one of the most prestigious in the United States.
A strong believer in the virtues of charity, Sam can be found at the Lexington Northside Public Library once a week. He’s not there to study. Instead, Sam donates the remainder of his free time to the public school tutoring program where he assists children in their school subjects.
Sam’s exemplary character is an inspiration to the Kappa Chapter and has instilled pride within our fraternity at home, and abroad.
