January 16, 2009

• Among 35 selected from 1,000 nominees

• Scholarship pays all tuition, books, stipend

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Shilpa Reddy of Birmingham (35242) has been awarded a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship to study medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

Reddy, 26, graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in math in 2004. She is now in her second semester of study at the School of Medicine at UAB. In addition to her studies, Reddy is a volunteer with Equal Access Birmingham at a free health clinic downtown. She is the daughter of Ramachandra and Lakshmi Reddy of Birmingham.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's scholarships are designed to encourage and support outstanding students who work hard, demonstrate a strong will to succeed and have financial need. The scholarships provide financial assistance and academic support to high school, undergraduate and graduate students. Candidates must be nominated by their college or alma mater and compete against nominees from across the United States.

Reddy was one of 35 recipients selected for the graduate award from approximately 1,000 nominees. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship pays for all tuition and books, as well as a computer and a living stipend, Reddy said.

"When I received the call from the foundation notifying me I had received the scholarship, I was in absolute shock," Reddy said. "To be awarded such a generous scholarship, and to be chosen from a field of extremely qualified students, is a great honor."

The foundation's graduate scholarship program enables the nation's next generation of leaders - students with exceptional promise and financial need - to achieve their dreams by pursuing graduate degrees at top colleges and universities across the country.