Virginia A. Beal Undergraduate Scholarship

Jenna Linehan

Jenna Linehan is a recent UMass graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. As a member of the UMass Nutrition Association (UMNA) she has served as both treasurer and vice president. Additionally, she is a member of the Student Nutritionist Program where she leads one-on-one nutrition counseling sessions with students and faculty. On campus, Jenna worked for UMass Residential Life Student Services and is currently a Certified Pharmacy Technician at UHS Pharmacy. Upon graduation, Jenna is going to return to UMass for the accelerated 4+1 MS Nutrition program, and then venture into a dietetic internship in the pursuit of becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist. Jenna’s areas of interest include pediatric nutrition, intuitive eating, and general health and well-being.

I kindly thank you for your generosity and for seeing my potential in this field. One of the biggest reasons I chose this field was my desire to help people. I am thrilled to be one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I sincerely thank you for selecting me for this award. I hope to make you proud!

Therese (Tess) Patry

Therese Patry

Tess Patry recently graduated from the School of Public Health and Health Sciences majoring in nutrition and society. Since high school, Tess played various sports and always had an interest in exercise and health which sparked her enthusiasm for nutrition. She is deeply passionate about promoting health and wellness. During last winter break she was Content Marketing Manager for a nutritional initiative, Eat to Thrive, within a program called Real Kids Real Food. In this role, she created content strategies that aligned with the nutritional program goals, crafted presentations that educated children and adults on healthy eating habits, and promoted the program by engaging the target audience through multiple social media platforms.

This scholarship will help me to achieve the goals I have set for myself and ultimately make a positive change in our community’s health. Thank you once again for the generous donation. I greatly appreciate your kindness, which will help support my future career in the health industry.

Christiana Sheldon

Christiane Sheldon is a full-time student working full-time at Mercy Medical Center as a Nutrition Assistant. Christy has begun shadowing her supervisor and dietitians on their rounds. She made the Dean’s List for two semesters. Christy begins the 4 + 1 Accelerated Master's in Nutrition program at UMass Amherst in the Fall of 2024. Christy’s goal is to become a Registered Dietitian in a clinical setting.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for being selected as a recipient of the Virginia Beal Award. It is an honor which will greatly help fund my education expenses at UMass Amherst. Your support has not only eased the financial burden associated with pursuing my education, but it has also inspired me to continue to strive for excellence while focusing on my future goals. Thank you again for choosing me as a recipient of this prestigious scholarship. I am truly grateful for your generosity.