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Blair
Bodine
Second-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: West Region
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- Columbia University ’06
in East Asian Languages and Cultures
- Founder and Producer, Beyond
All Borders, a global multimedia campaign to raise awareness
on the use of child soldiers
- Volunteer, PEACE by Peace,
implementing non-conflict resolution curriculum into
public schools
- Intern, WCBS-TV New York, Public Relations
Department
- Consultant, Encouraging Dynamic Global Entrepreneurs
(EDGE), Glasgow, Scotland
- Vice President of External Relations
and Service Chair, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority
- Member of
the cast of Columbia’s 110th and 111th
annual Varsity Show
- Studied Abroad in Beijing, China
“I am excited to become a part
of the USGA’s tradition of positively impacting lives
through the game of golf. Though my background has been more
in non-profits than putting, I am inspired by the role golf
plays in promoting education and development for youth and
individuals with disabilities. I see the golf course as an
alternative classroom, one that teaches honesty, integrity,
patience, and sportsmanship. As a fellow, I am proud to be
a part of the USGA’s ongoing mission to make those
lessons of golf, which are so often the lessons of life,
affordable and accessible for all.”
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Andrew Brockman
First-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: Southwest Region
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- Butler University, ’07 in Marketing
- Intern, The Indy
Partnership
- Intern, United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Indiana
- Volunteerism:
Eagle Creek State Park, Rebuilding The Wall, Indiana School for the Deaf
and Blind
- Philanthropy: Delta Tau Delta Trike La Tron benefiting
Riley’s
Children’s
Hospital
- Vice President of Finance, Butler American Marketing Association
- Assistant
Treasurer, Delta Tau Delta
- Studied abroad in Latvia
“The fellowship will be a great chance for me to
grow as a person and give back to the community as well as to the game of
golf that has given so
much to me. I am truly excited to become a part of an organization that improves
the lives of others through philanthropic means. Golf, as well as other sports,
should be equally accessible to all individuals and I am very excited to be
a part of making that reality.”
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Chris Czarnecki
First-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: West Region
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- Wake Forest University ’07 in English, Minor in History
- Financial
Representative Intern, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Winston-Salem,
North Carolina, 2005-2007
- Student Intern, Wake Forest University Press,
2006-2007
- Habitat for Humanity Global Village Volunteer, Franca, Brazil,
August 2006
- Range Worker, Jerry Haas Golf Camp, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
(4 years)
- Caddie, Eagle Point Golf Club, Wilmington, North Carolina, Summer
2004
- Studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain
“Ever since my grandfather introduced the game of golf to me as a child,
I have understood and fully believed in the game’s versatility in helping
one develop as an individual. As a Fellow at the USGA I have the opportunity
to help provide access to the game to those who otherwise may not have the
opportunity. These individuals will thus be able to take from the game whatever
it is they choose whether it be its inherent values, the relationships it helps
to forge, the physical satisfaction of the game, or the solitude it provides.
I believe that each individual who experiences the great game of golf will
personalize their experience with it as I have and allow it to help them grow.”
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Josh
Gelfand
Second-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: Southeast Region
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- University of Pennsylvania ’06
in Economics, Summa Cum Laude, Concentrations: Finance
and Accounting
- Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society Member,
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
- Summer Analyst,
Investment Banking Division, Goldman, Sachs & Company
- Intern, Insurance and Research Division,
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
- Golf Shop Attendant
(7 years), DuBois Country Club, DuBois, PA
- Admission
Tour Guide, University of Pennsylvania
- SAT Preparatory
Mentor and Volunteer in Philadelphia high schools
- Mentor
for Big Brother Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania
- Studied
abroad in St. Andrews, Scotland
"The game of golf has played a
key role in my life providing friendships, competition, and
lessons that apply within and outside of the sporting arena.
Through the fellowship, I am afforded the opportunity to
share my enthusiasm for golf and its inherent values to those
that might not otherwise have the chance to enjoy the game.
The fellowship and grants initiative program also provides
a unique opportunity to gain experience working with non-profit
leaders, while developing personal and professional skills
that are transferable into any field of work."
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Erica
Goodman
Second-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: Northeast Region
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- Middlebury College ’06, American
Studies, Concentration: History. Magnum Cum Laude
- Completed
senior thesis project on the implications of television
news on American citizenship during the Vietnam
and 1991 Persian Gulf Wars
- Middlebury College Women’s
Varsity Basketball, 3 years
- Weekly columnists for The
Middlebury Campus with column entitle “Rural Banter”
- Recipient
of the John M. McCardell, Jr. Public Service Award, the
Barbara Buchanan ’62 Community Outreach
Award and the VCC / TD Banknorth Commitment to Service
and Engagement Award for trail restoration with the Middlebury
Area Land Trust, the creation of Middlebury chapter of
the
National Marrow Donor Program, and for work with
the MC Alliance for Civic Engagement
- Time Inc. Law
Department, Intern, 2005
- AmeriCorps Student Service
Leadership Corps and Vermont Civic Fellow, 2004
“The Fellowship presents the opportunity
to combine two interests that I am passionate about – service
and sport. The USGA Grants Initiative uses the sport of golf
to provide those otherwise left behind the ability to participate
in athletics and learn important life values in the process.
I am excited to help give others the chance to live and grow
through involvement in sport.”
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Gennessa
Marie Guzman
Second-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: North Central Region
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- University of Kentucky ’06, Political
Science, Latin American Studies, Spanish
- Four year letterman
of the UK Track and Field team
- Student-Athletics Advisory
Committee, three year Diversity Chair, Vice President
- Southeastern
Conference Student Advisory Committee, 2001
- NCAA Leadership
Conference participant
- UK Athletics Community Outreach
Committee
- UK101, Instructor
- UK Athletics Center for Tutor Services,
Mentor
- Athletes in Action, President
- Athletes in Action Urban
Project, Intern in South Central Los Angeles
- Latino American
Student Organization, Secretary
- Cat’s Cultivating
Character, volunteer mentor at Russell Cave Elementary
- Volunteer Intern at Legal Clinic, translator
- Throw
Far Athletics, volunteer coach specializing in hammer,
discus, shot-put, javelin, 20lb weight, and
Olympic weight lifting
“Athletics has afforded me so
much; the opportunity to attain a higher education, international
experience, leadership skills, and has helped shape me into
a well-rounded, confident individual. I have not only seen
the power of athletics combined with leadership and service
in my life, but have also seen the impact that it can have
in the lives of others, and even more amazingly on whole
communities. I feel very grateful to be able to work for
an organization like the USGA that envelops that same spirit
and passion of wanting to make a positive difference through
the use of sports.”
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Jack Hendrickson
First-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: North Central Region
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- University of Wisconsin-Madison `07
in Political Science, Certificate in Business
- Three-year
member Mu Kappa Tau Honorary Marketing Club, Fundraising
Committee
- Two-year Outside Service Attendant/Mentor at
Bishops Bay Country Club
- Two-year volunteer, The First
Tee of Madison
- Caddie, U.S. Senior Open 2005, U.S. Mid-Amateur
2004, 2005
- Intern, Law Offices of Lindner & Marsack,
S.C.
- Three-year captain, UW Intramural Ice Hockey
“I grew up playing and working
in the golf arena and have seen the many values and lessons
learned by engaging
with the game. The Fellowship will provide an exciting
opportunity to combine my enthusiasm for golf with my desire
to provide access to young individuals who may not otherwise
have the chance to experience the game. In working towards
that mission I am eager to gain valuable professional experience
while continuing to grow personally. I am honored to be
a part of the USGA and its proud tradition of making positive
impacts through the use of sport.”
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Megan
Higgins
First-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: Great Plains Region
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- Whitman College ’06 in Psychology,
Minor in Education and Sports Studies
- Four year-letterman
and three-year captain of the Women’s
Basketball Team
- Elementary School Special Education Assistant
teaching functional life skills to severely developmentally
delayed
children, 2006-2007
- Assistant Women’s Basketball
Coach Whitman College, 2006-2007
- El Pomar Foundation Intern
working with Colorado nonprofit organizations though
community stewardship programs and
traditional grant-making, 2005
“For as long as I can remember, sports have played
a significant role in my life. They have been more than
significant; they have shaped me, inspired me, taught me
how to lead, taught me how to follow, and are the reason
I am the person I am today. Although fairly new to the
game of golf, I am positive that golf can have the same
impact on others’ lives as sports have had on mine.
The fellowship is an opportunity for me to reach out to
individuals and allow the game of golf to be the vehicle
to their development of commitment, leadership, dedication
and passion that will carry though all aspects of their
lives.”
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Matt Keys
Second-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: Southwest Region
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- Dickinson College ’06 in International
Business and Management
- Intern, TransCore: Northeast Engineering Group, Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania
- Three-year
Career Coach, Dickinson College Career Center
- Four-year member of the Dickinson
College Men’s Basketball Team
- Three-year Centennial Conference Academic
Honor Roll
- Volunteer, Project S.H.A.R.E., Carlisle, Pennsylvania
“Through countless round of golf growing up, not only
did I form strong relationships with friends and family, but I also benefited
from the life lessons instilled in the game. As a result, it is truly satisfying
to spread these same opportunities to youths and disabled individuals across
the nation. In working towards this objective each and every day, I am excited
to grow both personally and professionally through the Fellowship.”
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Emily
Kolbe
First-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: Southeast Region
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- Grinnell College ’07 in History
- Four-year letter
winner Grinnell College Softball
- Four-year letter winner
Grinnell College Women’s Basketball
- Grinnell College
Community Mini-Grant Program
- Student-Athlete Advisory
Committee
- History department tutor
“My experiences as an athlete
convinced me of the potential for positive impact through
participation in
sports. I am excited to join an organization dedicated
to reaching out to others who have not yet had the chance
to experience the values and lessons inherent in athletics.
The USGA Fellowship gives me the opportunity to live that
belief, while at the same time continuing my personal and
professional development in the non-profit sector.”
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Meghan
Naik
First-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: Northeast Region
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- University of Illinois ’07 in Speech Communication,
Minor in Spanish
- Four-year member, two-year Captain,
Varsity Women’s Golf Team
- Student representative to the Athletic Board at
the University of Illinois
- Student-Athlete Advisory Committee,
two-year member
- Intern, PGA TOUR, Communications Coordinator,
2005
- Two Time Arthur Ashe Junior Award winner for excellence
in service, athletics, and academics
- Speech Communication
Leaders Organization, Charter member
- Volunteer, Crisis
Nursery
“Living across the street from a golf course
was not what led me to play the game. It was the influence of my family,
people in the community,
resources like junior golf programs and handed down golf
clubs, and the direction from my coaches and mentors. Unfortunately,
not all children
are afforded these same resources to become introduced
to and play the game. Through this fellowship, I am given the tools
to make playing the
game possible for children regardless of their backgrounds,
allowing them to attempt a sport that teaches them life skills to grow
as individuals.
I feel honored to have the opportunity to give back to
and spread the game while developing my own career goals in a professional
setting.”
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Amanda
Wilson
Second-Year Fellow
Grant Focus: Great Plains Region
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- Michigan State
University ’06
in Marketing
- Four-year Member, MSU Women’s
Golf Team
- Dean’s List, Eli Broad College
of Business, Michigan State University
- Four-year Volunteer, PACT (Putting
Athletes and Community Together)
- Volunteer, 2005 Michigan
Junior Amateur
- Pro-Shop Assistant, Angel’s
Crossing Golf Club, Vicksburg, MI
- Referee, MSU Intramural Sports
- Studied Abroad in Rome,
Italy
"Golf has been a part of my life as long as I can remember,
and the ability to give back to the game through the USGA
Fellowship is an honor. I have had the opportunity to learn
such important life skills as honesty and integrity through
playing the game; skills which are essential for the youth
of today to discover. I am excited to provide accessibility
to the game which I love while being able to develop my
personal and professional career."
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