Breaking Barriers
How a merit scholarship program for first-generation college students is attracting exceptional talent to the University of Virginia
Since welcoming its first cohort five years ago, the Walentas Scholars Program has grown steadily in both scale and impact. What began as an ambitious effort to attract outstanding first-generation students to UVA has evolved into a thriving community of Scholars, mentors, alumni, and supporters.
This year marks a significant milestone. As the Program celebrates its first graduating class and the achievements of Scholars across all four class years, it also expands its reach by opening the competition nationwide for the first time. This next chapter reflects the Program's continued momentum and its commitment to identifying exceptional students who are among the first in their families to attend college.
BY THE NUMBERS
Walentas Scholar nominees to date
Nominees have matriculated at UVA
Walentas Scholars supported by the Foundation to date
Total degrees earned to date
The trailblazers who are defining the Walentas legacy
The graduation of the inaugural Walentas Scholars class marks a defining milestone for the program and validates the vision that inspired its creation five years ago. The success of these graduates demonstrates what is possible when talent is matched with opportunity, mentorship, and community. As the first Walentas Scholars to move into careers, graduate study, and lives of leadership and service, they establish a powerful example for those who follow.
Volunteers are essential to the success of the Walentas Scholars Program and play a vital role in recruiting exceptional first-generation students to the University.
Many Walentas Scholar nominees first encounter the University through the Foundation's volunteers and leave the selection process with a stronger sense of what makes UVA distinctive: intellectual curiosity, meaningful community, and a culture that values leadership and purpose.
The time and effort volunteers invest in speaking with nominees pays off year after year, with hundreds of highly qualified nominees choosing to enroll at UVA after participating in the selection process.
"I have grown and gained so much through my undergraduate experience. I've been able to travel the world, learn about topics I am curious about, and fuel my passion for education. Above all, I was welcomed into a community that has always had my back, showering me with resources whenever I needed it. All of this would not have been possible without your help. There are no amount of words to show my gratitude. Thank you so much to the committee that identified me for this opportunity.. "
—NIKI PATEL (WS '26)
"To the selection committee that chose me, thank you so much for seeing something in me that I could not see four years ago. Your choice completely altered the trajectory of my life and has afforded me the ability to go farther than I ever thought possible. Not only have I received my bachelor's degree, but I am also in the process of earning my master's over the course of these four years."
—MALCOLM WHITFIELD (WS '26)
"You saw potential in me that I didn’t even know was there, and by identifying me for the scholarship, you have forever changed the trajectory of my life. My experiences at UVA have left an indelible mark on my heart. I have found my community, my passions, and I feel I have truly discovered myself. While graduation is quickly approaching, I know that what I have learned and the people I have found will carry me into a bright future."
—CAITLIN SHIFLETT (WS '26)
WALENTAS SCHOLAR HIGHLIGHTS
Anisha Jarang (WS '27) receives the Goldwater Scholarship
Awarded to college sophomores and juniors across the nation who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering, the Goldwater Scholarship was established by Congress in 1986 and is designed to maintain the nation’s competitive advantage of scientific talent.
A defining moment of the Foundation's history came in 2019 when Jane and David Walentas (Engr ’61, GSBA ’64) made a transformative $100 million commitment. Their gift included $50 million to establish a first-of-its-kind merit-based scholarship for first-generation college-bound students.
Since then, the Program has grown steadily in reach and impact. What began with nominations in Virginia and New York gradually expanded to more regions across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Maryland. This expansion was made possible by the Foundation's donors who stepped forward to join the Walentas family's efforts and extended additional support.
Today, the Program enters a new era. For the first time, every high school in the United States is eligible to nominate an exceptional first-generation student for consideration as a Walentas Scholar. With continued support from alumni and friends of the University, the Program is positioned to reach talented first-generation students from all corners of the country.
