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Atlanta
Chapter

Atlanta History OLD

The potential for ARCS Foundation Atlanta was recognized by our founder, Mary O’Connor, in 1990. Mary invited fifteen founding members who shared her enthusiasm for ARCS Foundation to join her in her efforts to establish a chapter in Atlanta. The founding members invited twenty charter members to join them and we were on our way.

FOUNDING MEMBERS Paula Bevington, Mary O’Connor (Chapter Founder), Trudy Huger, Michelle Nordin, Kitty Hawks, Beth Barnett, Sue Wieland and Clare Whitfield.  

FOUNDING MEMBERS NOT PICTURED: Kathy Ashe, Jean Brumley*, Patsy Drummond, Mary Gellerstedt, Frannie Graves*, Carol Kranig, Gay Love, Carol Teem.  (*deceased)

By February 1992, the Atlanta Chapter had sixty-three members. The membership brought together a broad spectrum of women who all agreed that this Chapter would be a great asset to the Atlanta Community. 

In 1992 the Chapter was incorporated and Mary O’Connor was elected the first president. Three schools were approved for funding: Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Morehouse College.  In June of 2000, the University of Georgia was also approved for funding. 

At our first Scholar Awards Luncheon, on October 20, 1992, three scholars received awards of $5000 each. They were David Austin, Emory; Deborah Kilpatrick, Georgia Tech; and Bryan Hurley Derrickson, Morehouse College. In 2020, our chapter awarded $344,500 to 44 scholars from our four academic partner schools.  

Since its inception, ARCS Foundation Atlanta has awarded a cumulative total of over $6 million to scholars pursuing studies in science, engineering and medical research. We are grateful to our members, community individuals, corporations and foundations who have provided such generous support for our scholars. 

Thanks from Alum Courtney Pollard, III, MD, PhD, MedStar Harbor Hospital, Baltimore

Let me start by saying how thankful I am for being selected as an ARCS scholar.  I consider it one of my greatest achievements thus far and I am immensely proud to count myself as one of the amazing group of students that your organization selected to receive this award.  I want you ladies to know you are doing an outstanding job!  You all are embarked on a truly altruistic endeavor and it is my fervent prayer that this organization thrives for years to come.

Thanks from Scholar Kira Newman

"I can only begin to express how grateful I am for the freedom to pursue an independent line of research without having to worry about how I will pay for the necessary lab supplies or training. This award is allowing me to answer broader and more valuable questions than I had previously thought possible... Thank you so much for your kindness, generosity, and belief in my potential as a scientist."

Thanks from Scholar Natale Sciolino

"Thank you dearly for your generous contribution to my scientific development. Your contribution has had a profound impact on me at both a personal and professional level. It is a privilege to be an ARCS Scholar, and with this support I will continue to pursue research that aims to advance Neuroscience."