Junior Larry Melf has been chosen as the recipient of the William G. McGowan Scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year. He is majoring in marketing and mass communications.

The scholarship is a full-tuition award named in honor of William G. McGowan, a 1952 graduate of King's College, who went on to a successful business career as the founder and chairman of MCI Communications Corporation.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be named the 2008-2009 William G. McGowan Scholar,” said Melf, who is very thankful to be awarded a scholarship in honor of McGowan. “In addition to succeeding in the business world, Mr. McGowan also gave back to those in the community who were undereducated and possessed underdeveloped potential.”

Melf is a resident of Wilkes-Barre , PA. He graduated from Bishop Hoban High School . He is a member of the Business Student Advisory Council, vice-president and a member of of Mu Kappa Tau, the honor society for marketing, a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the honor society for business, a member of the Aquinas Society, King's College's service honor society. He also serves as Treasurer of the Honors Program Student Advisory Council and is a member of King's Honors Program.

He currently serves as Managing Editor for The Crown , the college newspaper, was Co-Editor in Chief of the Mass Communications Student Newsletter, and serves as a member of the Mass Communications Student Advisory Board.

In addition to going to school full-time, he works 30 hours or more a week as a Career Counselor for the Commission on Economic Opportunity's Employment & Training Programs and is also a computer assistant and tutor for Mercy Services, a neighborhood based outreach program for low income families.

He is the Confirmation Coordinator and works with the Hispanic Youth Group at Holy Rosary Church on Park Ave. in Wilkes-Barre . As Confirmation Coordinator, Melf volunteers with his students in the community for projects such as the food distributions at the Commission on Economic Opportunity and the annual Lady of Guadalupe celebration.

Melf also serves as an advocate for the Hispanic Community as he helps Hispanic students get involved within their community and obtain goals such as going to college.

“With the education that I received from the McGowan Business School , I hope to achieve a great success in the business world by working closely with clientele hoping to make a difference in their communities,” said Melf.

“I want to help those who always believed in me. I want to show others that hard work and dedication does pay off. I believe King's has given me a very balanced education and I am looking forward to where life takes me after graduation,” said Melf.

The McGowan Scholarship is awarded to a full-time student who is pursuing his or her primary major within the McGowan School of Business. Candidates must be entering their senior year at the College, have achieved a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0. In addition, candidates for the scholarship must also be nominated by a School of Business faculty member.