Dear ARCS Atlanta Members,

Spring is one of the most rewarding and intriguing times of the ARCS year.  It is when we have our annual site visits with the universities and carefully set the stage for next year’s class of scholars.  Even a site visit over Zoom does not diminish the feeling of accomplishment.  We see the gratitude of our university partners and together we happily anticipate the impact of our efforts on next year’s scholars.  For the 2021-2022 year, we will award a total of $414,500 to 53 exceptional scholars.

The selection of our scholars is done entirely by the universities.  The unrestricted nature of ARCS Awards lends a certain mystery and excitement to our anticipated meetings with the scholars.  What special priority will our support make possible?  Each scholar is the sum of different experiences and interests, and their needs are correspondingly unique.  When we meet our scholars and learn how they use their ARCS Awards, we catch glimpses of the world through their eyes.  This broadens our perspective and invites us to understand their goals.

As we weave the experiences of our scholars into the fabric of our own lives, it brings a richness that defies description.  We see the passion and commitment that is so common among scientists.  We feel the galvanizing perspective that the world is full of possibilities - many yet to be discovered.  Being a small part of what makes their vision possible changes us.  It gives us insight into their research and allows us to foresee an outcome that we may have known little about.  It inspires us to look hopefully toward the future.

This all begins right now in the spring when we gather with our university partners and plan for the year ahead.  We look forward to the connections to come - when our scholars meet with their donors - and the magic that happens as their goals intertwine.

Thank you all for making this possible.

Fondly,

Leslie