Cooper came to the University of South Carolina to study political science. But the path to her degree also led to opportunities to study dance in New York, including a semester with the Alvin Ailey School, and even to realize the importance of bringing her passion for the arts to others.

Now, the May graduate from South Carolina Honors College will travel to the Big Apple again, this time to New York University as a Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholar and with a scholarship valued at $300,000 for six years of graduate study.

The scholarship, which will enable Cooper to pursue a master’s degree in public administration. She is one of only 43 students nationwide—and the only student from a South Carolina college or university—to be selected from the 842 applicants. The scholarship of $50,000 a year for up to six years of graduate study will cover tuition, room and board, fees and books.

"The generous support of the foundation is enabling me to reach my goals and fulfill my dreams through graduate education at NYU," said Cooper, the daughter of Kathie P. Cooper of Anderson and the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James J. Pitts of Florence. "The opportunities that have been made available to me as a result of this award are incredible.

"Without their support, graduate school would have been a tremendous financial burden. The foundation's trust in me is encouraging, and I am honored to be a part of this year's class of scholars," said Cooper, a Florence native who attended Delmae Heights Elementary School before moving to Anderson.

USC President Andrew Sorensen said Cooper exemplifies the quality of students the university is attracting.

"This scholarship shows that USC students are able to compete with students from the nation’s most prestigious universities," Sorensen said. "Kristina joins a select group of scholars chosen for this award, including those from Yale, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown and Dartmouth universities. Her success underscores the mission of this university to prepare students academically and to provide them with enriching opportunities to pursue their goals."

Cooper, who began studying dance at age 3, says that she came to USC with the idea that success was measured in terms of money and respect. She wanted to become a corporate lawyer, but her goals changed as her college experiences opened new doors. It wasn’t long before she changed her definition of success to "making a positive contribution in your community while being able to do what you love."

Before her junior year at USC, Cooper was selected for a summer internship at the Times Square Business Improvement District and also was accepted into the Joffrey Ballet Summer Program. She opted for the internship to gain real-world experience for her career and took dance classes in New York at night. Those opportunities shed new light on the importance of her role in helping others experience the arts.

"Every person should have the opportunity to go to the theater, attend a dance performance or stroll through an art museum, without regard to economic status or geographic location," said Cooper, who hopes for a career working for a non-profit arts organization or as an advocate for the arts.

In spite of the academic rigors of her schedule, Cooper was a member of USC’s Dance Company, Mock Trial Team, theater program and Community Service Leadership Team. She was named Outstanding Political Science Senior and chosen for Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities.

In 2002, Cooper received a Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Scholar award, which enabled her to study at the Alvin Ailey School. The experience reinforced her dream of helping to shape arts education for young people and to assist organizations in bringing arts programs to communities throughout the United States.

Her interests are a match for the mission of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

"Individuals who competed for these awards had to show not only exceptional academic ability but also have a strong will to succeed and other qualities, including critical thinking, a love of music or art and an appreciation of literature," said Dr. Matthew J. Quinn, executive director of the foundation. "Each of these attributes was important to Mr. Cooke."

A businessman, sportsman and philanthropist, Cooke owned several professional sports teams, including the Washington Redskins football and the Los Angeles Lakers basketball teams, as well as a thoroughbred racing farm in Kentucky; newspapers, magazines, radio and cable television stations; and real estate holdings, including the Chrysler Building in New York City. Cooke died in 1997, leaving most of his fortune to establish the foundation to give exceptional students the opportunity to further their education, to pursue their artistic dreams and to serve others through public service.

05/03