ATLANTA, Georgia (July 1, 2022) – ARCS FOUNDATION, the nationally-recognized non-profit organization committed to the advancement of science and technology, is honored to announce that Sara Jean Burke has been named president of ARCS Atlanta Chapter. ARCS Foundation provides unrestricted financial awards to academically outstanding U.S. citizens studying to complete degrees in science, engineering, and medical research.
Sara Jean Burke has supported charitable institutions in Atlanta for over two decades, including having served as ARCS Atlanta president from 2016-2018. She served with The Festival of Trees, benefitting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, moving up the ranks to head up International Events, Special Events, the Christmas Parade and the entire Festival as Chairman in 1997. In 1999, Sara Jean turned to the Southeastern Flower Show, benefitting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens (ABG). She co-chaired the 1999 Show and served as Show Chairman in 2000, delivering a record contribution to the Gardens. She has served with ABG Associates as President, Teach for America as a board member, Catholic Charities as a board member, and the Junior League as a member. She has also served on the Board of Brookwood Hills Community Association and as President of the Garden Club.
As the Atlanta Chapter celebrates its 30th anniversary, Sara Jean’s goals include individual and corporate funds development and chapter strategy, increasing awareness of ARCS Foundation Atlanta within the Atlanta community, continuing to build support for the Atlanta Chapter endowment and scholar awards, and recruiting new members to the chapter.
ARCS Atlanta outgoing president Leslie Petter said, “Sara Jean brings extensive non-profit experience and a wealth of fundraising talent to the Atlanta Chapter. She will be pivotal in strengthening our corporate and foundation partnerships and will develop strategic alliances to expand our impact on the future of science in Georgia. We offer Sara Jean our heart-felt congratulations and thank her for her commitment to the vision of ARCS Atlanta – Funding STEM Scholars who will change the world.”
“I am honored to be asked to serve as chapter president for 2022-23,” said Sara Jean Burke. “Our chapter is strong and in good financial order, which is a good foundation on which to build new initiatives.”
ARCS Atlanta congratulates Sara Jean Burke and thanks her for her dedication to the continuing success of ARCS Foundation Atlanta Chapter.
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About ARCS Foundation Atlanta Chapter: Founded in 1992, the Atlanta Chapter of ARCS Foundation is one of 15 ARCS Foundation chapters committed to advancing science and supporting top STEM scholars in leading universities. The chapter consists of 130 women philanthropists who believe in the possibilities of science and recognize that we need to increase our nation’s commitment to STEM research. ARCS Foundation Atlanta provides much needed funding for scholars in top-ranked programs at Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Morehouse College, and the University of Georgia. Since the chapter’s inception, the Atlanta Chapter has provided over $6.5 million in funding for more than 1,000 individual Scholar Awards. For more information on the Atlanta Chapter, visit www.atlanta.arcsfoundation.org.
About ARCS® Foundation: ARCS Foundation is a national nonprofit volunteer women’s organization that promotes American competitiveness by supporting talented U.S. citizens working to complete degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and health disciplines at 50 of the nation’s leading research universities. Since 1958, the organization has awarded more than $125 million to more than 11,000 students. ARCS Foundation Scholars have produced thousands of research publications and patents, secured billions in grant funding, started science-related companies, and played a significant role in teaching and mentoring young people in the STEM pipeline. More information is available by visiting www.arcsfoundation.org.
