Thomas (T.J.) Mitchell Jr., a double major in Religious Studies and PPEL (Philosophy, Politics, Economics & Law), has been awarded a full-tuition scholarship by the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. He will begin law school there in Fall 2015. T.J., who will graduate from the University of Arizona in May, has valued his experience as a Religious Studies major: “The Religious Studies program at the University of Arizona doesn’t only teach you about religion; it teaches you about people . . . . I also have gained so much more from my Religious Studies courses than just political understanding. The more cultures I studied within the Religious Studies department, the more understanding and respect I gained for the many diverse religions of the world. This respect and understanding has made me a better human being.”

In addition to double-majoring in Religious Studies and PPEL, T.J. made the most of his time as an undergraduate at UA through pursuing a wide range of leadership and work experiences, including serving as the President of Take Charge Cats, President of the University of Arizona’s Toastmasters International Chapter, and working as a law clerk for Kinerk, Schmidt & Sethi PLLC.

Tiffany Lee, a pre-med undergraduate triple majoring in Religious Studies, Creative Writing, and Nutritional Sciences, is the first recipient of the Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies. This award will provide funding for her to travel to Costa Rica during the summer of 2015 to participate in the Global Medcats International Program.

The Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies was created in honor of Dr. Swaim’s life-long service to the University and dedication to her students. The purpose of this scholarship is to enable academically-prepared Religious Studies majors to study abroad. Dr. Swaim is passionate about the life-changing experience of study abroad: "At the university we learn academically–but travel gets beyond the academic. It lets students live and experience the things they've learned in class." To donate to the Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies, please click here.

“I aspire to one day become a physician who practices Integrative Medicine. . . . Religious studies has helped me better critically listen to and respect the stories of cultures other than my own.” – Tiffany Lee