A scholarship created to honor the memory of a student who loved China is making possible the dreams of another student at West Virginia University.
Sophomore Chinese and International Studies major Marisa Terwilliger, has received the Christopher Belfoure Chinese Studies Travel Abroad Scholarship. The award aids students aspiring to travel abroad and focuses on Chinese Studies at West Virginia University.
“When I first received the Christopher Belfoure scholarship I was excited and grateful,” Terwilliger said. “After meeting Chris’s family, I felt that gratitude deepen tremendously. He was so loved, and I’m so honored to have been chosen to receive this gift from his family and friends.”
Terwilliger was able to travel to Beijing last summer with the Chinese Studies program. With confidence gained from that trip and the financial opportunities made possible by the Belfoure Fund, Terwilliger is excited for the chance to immerse herself in the culture.
“My Chinese will improve and I’ll have a better understanding of China’s culture and its people,” she said. “I know I’ll face many challenges and adventures there, but I’m excited to greet them all.”
Christopher Belfoure died on July 3, 2011. He was involved in a fatal ATV accident. In 2010, he received a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in Chinese. Following graduation, he took a position at EMC Worldwide in Shanghai, China, a company that develops software technology.
He loved the Chinese language and culture, and became excited about the prospect of living in China after a study abroad experience during his time at WVU. The experience helped him realize his career goals, and he firmly believed more students should have the opportunity to travel overseas.
His mother, Robin Chapin, created the memorial fund to make it possible for other students to share her son’s enthusiasm of the Chinese language and culture.
Hannah Lin, J. Vance and Florence Highland Johnson Associate Professor and coordinator of the Chinese Studies Program, remembers Christopher Belfoure as a dedicated student who constantly strove to improve himself. She recalls that many of his classmates and friends relied on both his encouragement and support.
“The study abroad experience helped Chris realize his dreams,” Lin said. “Thanks to his family, more students at WVU have the opportunities to travel to China and Taiwan to experience the language and culture that Chris fell so much in love with. Chris’ dream and his mother’s love for him will shine on many of our students and enrich their lives in the future.”
Tyler Anderson, who was the first recipient of the scholarship in 2014, is now studying at Ocean University of China, Qingdao.
To donate to the Christopher Belfoure Chinese Studies Travel Abroad Fund (2W585), contact Drew Chelosky, assistant dean of development, Drew.Chelosky@mail.wvu.edu or at 304-293-4611.
-WVU-
dr/05/04/2015
CONTACT: Devon Copeland, Director of Marketing and Communication, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, West Virginia University, 304-293-6867, Devon.Copeland@mail.wvu.edu
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