Chen First in Region to Receive Chamber Scholarship

Hai Yan Chen, center, was honored as a recipient of the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce Student Scholarship.

An Emory & Henry College student who is pursuing a degree in international business has become the first student from Southwest Virginia to receive the prestigious Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce Student Scholarship.

Hai Yan Chen, a senior from Marion, Va., was presented with the award Monday, Dec. 10, at the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Gala in Richmond. According to officials with the Chamber, the awards are given "to three of the most recognized Virginia business students across the Commonwealth with solid academic achievements in business leadership and community service.”

Chen will apply the scholarship to her study of graphic design in graduate school. Her top choice is the VCU Brandcenter

Originally from Xiamen, China, Chen said her experience at Emory & Henry contributed significantly to her accomplishments as a student, including those that led to this scholarship. “I would describe my E&H experience as ‘one of a kind,” Chen said. "The school has really helped me develop and grow in many different ways both personally and academically.”

In addition to maintaining high grades in the classroom, Chen has been highly active in the community. She has served as president of the Peer Educators organization and the Phi Beta Lambda business club. She has served as co-coordinator of the Red Flag Campaign, which seeks to raise awareness about dating violence, and has worked as a tutor at the Meadowview Elementary School. She serves as the student coordinator of the Saturday Reading Buddies Program at the Glade Spring Library.

“I am very grateful to all the professors who have taught me and supported in my academic journey,” she said. “They have no idea what kind of influence they have had on me as an individual.”