A West Virginia University student graduating in May will continue her education and work to spread good will when she travels to Bolivia in August on a 2003-04 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship.

Moira Shaw, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Morgantown, plans to study peace and conflict resolution at La Universidad Nur (The University of Light) in Santa Cruz. Shaw, the daughter of Robert and Dara Shaw of Morgantown, is a senior majoring in psychology and Spanish with a minor in women’s studies.

In addition to her graduate studies, she will be working to help create scholarships for indigenous students, one of many projects sponsored by the university for the sustainable socioeconomic development of Bolivia. She will also be speaking to Rotarians in Bolivia to help foster good will across cultures.

“I’m really thrilled,”Shaw said.”It’s going to be an amazing opportunity to spend the most time abroad that I’ve ever spent. Also, Bolivia is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and my purpose in going is to help out.”

Her stay in the Spanish-speaking nation will also enable Shaw to refine her mastery of the language.

“I love Latin America,”she said.”I’m fluent in Spanish, and this will be a chance to smooth my Spanish-speaking skills.”

Shaw said her years at WVU have been instrumental in helping her move on to this next stage in her life. At WVU , she is active in the Honors Program, Outreach Kenya Development Volunteers, National Society for Collegiate Scholars, Female Equality Movement and the Mona Foundation.

“I am indebted to the Center for Women’s Studies because without women’s studies I wouldn’t know what was happening in the world and why it’s necessary to have a social conscience,”she said.”And the Honors Program helped me decide this is what I wanted to do.”

She said she is also grateful to Bill Collins, Rotary District chair and former WVU Honors Program director, with helping her secure the Rotary scholarship.

As a Rotary”ambassador,”Shaw will receive funding to cover round-trip transportation, tuition and fees, room, board and necessary education supplies for one academic year, up to a maximum amount of $25,000 in American currency.

She is one of more than 1,200 students worldwide to receive a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship this year. Designed to promote international understanding and good will, the scholarships give students an opportunity to study in more than 160 countries where Rotary clubs are located and some non-Rotary countries such as China and Vietnam. While abroad, Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars speak to Rotary clubs and districts, schools, civic organizations and other forums where they act as”ambassadors of good will.”

The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the world’s largest privately sponsored international scholarship program. Focused on humanitarian service, personal diplomacy and academic excellence, the program has sponsored more than 30,000 Rotary Scholars abroad since it began in 1947.

Students interested in more information and an application may consult the Rotary Web site athttp://www.rotary.org/foundation/programs.html. Collins may be contacted for information at 304-292-1275.

Deadline for applications to be received by Rotary Clubs is July 15. Interviews will be held in the late summer.