St. Andrew’s Society Awards Saint Joseph’s Sophomore with Scholarship to Study in Edinburgh

PHILADELPHIA (April 6, 2017) — The St. Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia has awarded Saint Joseph’s sophomore Haley Waites of Silver Spring, Maryland, the St. Andrew’s Scholarship. The $25,000 award will enable Waites to study at the University of Edinburgh during her junior year.

Waites’ award marks the seventh consecutive year, and the eighth overall, that a Saint Joseph’s student has received a scholarship from the St. Andrew’s Society, which was founded in 1958 to foster understanding between Scotland and the United States.

A political science major who is also carrying minors in international relations and environmental and sustainability studies, Waites says the scholarship will give her an invaluable opportunity to take more courses in her areas of study.

“The University of Edinburgh offers advanced programs in both political science and environmental policy taught by well-known experts,” she says. “I also want to gain an international perspective on these subjects, and going to Scotland now, during such an interesting time in its political landscape, with the U.K. Brexit vote and the petition for Scottish independence, is the chance of a lifetime.”

Waites hopes to pursue work in domestic and international environmental policy after completing her Saint Joseph’s education. “My career path will always have an international aspect, because politics and climate change affect the whole world,” she says. “Studying abroad will prepare me to work in this arena by introducing me to perspectives on international environmental and political issues that are different than those I have already studied.”

Her adviser, Lisa Baglione, Ph.D., professor of political science, recommended that Waites apply for the scholarship.

“Haley is a top student with the intellectual intensity and drive to take full advantage of the year in Scotland to expand her understanding of politics, political science and environmental studies,” says Baglione. “Edinburgh is one of the top institutions in the U.K., as well as in the English-speaking world. To have access to the resources of such a university and its world-class experts, considering all that is going on in Scottish and European politics, and to also have the chance to observe how the Scots manage various environmental challenges, is an incredible opportunity. This made Haley determined to apply for and be named a scholarship recipient by the St. Andrew’s Society."

While it’s clear to her that Waites earned the scholarship based on her academic record and talents, Baglione feels that her Scottish descent and strong desire to study in Scotland also played a role in her selection. According to Baglione, Waites’ interest in her ancestry was awakened as a participant in the National Gallery of Art High School Seminar when she was studying a painting by Scottish artist Sir Henry Raeburn, and her uncanny resemblance to the subject, Mrs. George Hill, was noted by a friend.

“Discussion of the painting was the subject of one of Haley’s application essays that captivated the SJU committee, and I’m confident that the final selection committee found this tale of the awakening of the importance of her Scottish heritage compelling, too,” Baglione says.

Each year, the St. Andrew’s Society awards scholarships to nominees from 18 colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area. Recipients can choose to study during their junior year at one of four Scottish universities, including the University of St. Andrews, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Glasgow.