From a founder to the future, scholarship supports a duty to public service. 

At the heart of the Wilder School lies a tribute to one of its earliest leaders, Leigh E. Grosenick, who founded the VCU public administration program in 1975. Established in 1999, the Leigh E. Grosenick Scholarship in Public Administration demonstrates the dedication, ethics and lasting influence of a lifelong educator. 

“We wanted to not only recognize my father’s investment in public administration and the school but also his commitment to the students past, present and future who chose this field of study,” Chris Grosenick shares. 

The students who studied under his father’s guidance became integral to the program’s success. Their professional and personal lives have remained intertwined with the Grosenick family for years. Grosenick believes his father would be pleased with the outcomes and the program’s evolution. “His most important legacy is that of his ethics education,” he explains. “This scholarship serves as a reminder to recipients of their duty in the public sector and the importance of maintaining this fundamental aspect of his work.” 

Scholarship recipient Sofia Simmons (’23 B.A.) is thankful for the opportunity. “I was inspired to pursue this field due to my deep interest in social change and my desire to contribute to community development through effective policy,” she says. “The concepts of civic duty and responsibility were taught to me at a very young age and instilled in me a desire to serve and advocate for others.” 

“Supporting students in this important line of work provides an extra incentive to become educated and excel,” Grosenick says. “These scholarships hopefully take the edge off what is a very expensive endeavor, especially for those who have chosen public service as a career.”

Thanks to the scholarship, Simmons was able to focus on extracurricular activities and experiences. She’s gained global citizenship perspectives through the Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program, held in The Hague, Netherlands; participated in leadership roles with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; and interned with the Virginia House of Delegates. 

To Simmons and future scholarship recipients, Grosenick offers simple yet profound advice: “Stick with the hard uphill climb that usually comes with this effort.” Recognizing that recipients are already highly motivated and intelligent, he encourages them to persevere in their pursuits. “People don’t always think about energy, but everything you do leaves an imprint. You want to be sure it’s the best imprint you can possibly leave.” 

"This support has given me the freedom to pursue my educational goals with greater focus, while also providing the confidence that I have the backing to excel. It also encourages me to continue striving for excellence, knowing that there are people who believe in my potential.”
– Sofia Simmons (’23 B.A.)

This story originally appeared in the Wilder School in Action magazine.