October 13, 2008

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UTSA student selected as Rotary scholar for 2004

(Sept. 22, 2003)--A senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio has been selected by Rotary International to represent the United States abroad as Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar for 2004.

Earning a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, according to Rotary District Governor Jim Berg, is one of the highest honors a scholar can achieve to pursue higher education at an institution in a foreign country.

Valued at approximately $25,000, the award was made to Paul Anthony Salinas, a student in the College of Business. Representing Rotary District 5840, Salinas was selected from a large number of South Texas applicants for the award. Rotary District 5840 includes much of South Texas from San Marcos to Del Rio and from San Angelo to Jourdanton.

Salinas, who was raised by a single mother, worked in real estate and was an entrepreneur after high school before entering UTSA to earn a degree in marketing. As a young businessman, he founded and later sold Blue Shoe Carpet Cleaning and Restoration.

"I look forward to this opportunity to pursue education abroad as a Rotary Scholar, and I hope to return to San Antonio and contribute to our community," Salinas said.

After graduation from UTSA in May 2004, he plans to enroll in law school after studying international dispute resolution. He hopes to use his Rotary Scholarship to study in Europe, where is considering universities in Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Scotland and England.

"I am very proud of Salinas," Berg said. "He is an example of what determination and grit can do when confronted by obstacles, and now he is on the threshold of a terrific career. Rotary's support will be a very important component of his scholarly and worldly experience.”

Berg encourages all South Texas prospective graduate students to visit the Rotary International Web site for more information about the Ambassadorial Scholars program. Information is also available at local Rotary clubs.

The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program is Ambassadorial Scholarships. Since 1947 more than 30,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries, and it is the largest privately funded program of its kind in the world. Scholars cannot be related to a member of Rotary International.