KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 24, 2026

The Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences Annual Scholarship Reception celebrates the power of scholarships, the generosity of scholarship donors, and the tenacity of Kennesaw State University students.

One of those students is Yasmin Chagas, a senior majoring in pre-health psychology with minors and biology and Spanish. She is president of the President’s Parliament Scholar Ambassadors and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. She is also the recipient of the Laura Jeanne Stewart Memorial Scholarship.

Chagas smiled at Stewart’s family members in the audience; Stewart’s mother Barbara Coombe, and her brother, Clint Stewart, as she spoke from the stage.

“I was able to learn more about how incredible Laura was, and how much she loved being a part of Kennesaw State. Hearing about her life, her passion, and the way she embraced her time here made this scholarship feel deeply personal to me. It reminded me that behind every opportunity like this, there is a story and a legacy. Being selected for a scholarship that carries her name is something I do not take lightly, and I am truly honored to carry her legacy forward through my own dream,” Chagas said.

Originally from Acworth, Georgia, Chagas is a first-generation American and a firstgeneration college student. She works full time as a clinical medical assistant at Northside Hospital and plans to pursue graduate school after she turns the tassel in May 2026. Chagas said the financial support of her scholarships offered stability and reassurance while she worked toward her educational goals at KSU.

That support will allow her to graduate debt-free in May 2026.

“Your generosity is more than financial support. It is a vote of confidence in students like me, in the futures we are working so hard to build,” Chagas said.

Another standout student who spoke at the event was Claudia Irina Garavis Montagut, recipient of the Lindy Radow Humanities and Social Sciences Honors Scholarship and the Dr. Simon Sukumar Memorial Scholarship. She’s a senior international honors student from Colombia and is majoring in international affairs with a minor political science. She is also pursuing certificates in International Law and Intelligence and Homeland Security.

Montagut, who is from Cúcuta, Colombia, came to the United States at 17 years old. She said her scholarships represent a belief in her potential and the journey that brought her to where she is today.  “I was raised in a family that was shaped by love, but also by hardship. I lost my mother at a young age, and from that moment on, my father became my greatest example of resilience. Without ever having attended college himself, he worked tirelessly to provide for our family and instill in me the belief that education could open doors far beyond what we could see,” Montagut said.

The financial relief provided by scholarships was invaluable, but the mentorship that came with them was truly priceless. Montagut described laughing and sharing stories over dinner with Victor and Sheela Sukumar, how Lindy Radow made her feel seen and understood after her first speech with a hug and “gracias,” and how Dr. Norman Radow showed her that she was a priority by responding to her questions within minutes.

“One day, I hope to give the way each of you gives. Not only financially, but personally. I hope to mentor with intention, to encourage boldly, and to invest my time in students who are far from home and wondering if they belong,” Montagut said.

Montagut will graduate in May 2026 and plans to pursue a Master of Science in Conflict Management at KSU in the fall.

Radow College Dean Catherine Kaukinen said this event offers donors and their scholarship recipients the opportunity to build lasting, mutually inspiring relationships. Chagas and Montagut are two examples of the complex lives of students. In addition to outstanding academic performance, Kaukinen said many KSU students who receive scholarships are juggling full or part-time jobs, parenthood, caregiving for other family members, navigating the world of higher education as a first-generation student, and other challenges.

“When we look at their success, we also have to be reminded of the commitment and the time, investment, the persistence, and dare I say the scrappiness of our students,” Kaukinen said.

Prospective donors who are interested in establishing endowed scholarships can contact Radow College director of development, Akua Asiamah Andrade, at aandra14@kennesaw.edu.  If you would like to give to an already established scholarship, click the link below to give generously.

https://www.kennesaw.edu/giving/online-giving/radow-college.php

-Story and photo by Noelle Lashley