What It Means to Serve

Evan Dunn 12C spent much of his time in college involved in the sort of quiet service and leadership not likely to attract the spotlight—that is, until now. 

Dunn is the 2012 recipient of the university’s highest student honor, the Marion Luther Brittain Award, presented each year to a graduate who has demonstrated strong character, integrity, and exemplary service to both the university and the greater community without expectation of recognition. The award includes $5,000.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this. I hope I can live up to the expectations of this award, and give back as much as I can in my life,” says Dunn, a political science and history major who grew up in nearby Cobb County.

His leadership began at Oxford College with the Bonner Leaders Program, a “definitive experience for me that set the stage for everything else I’ve done,” Dunn says.

At Emory College, Dunn interned with the International Rescue Committee, working as a tutor and helping refugees navigate the health care system. He is cofounder of a refugee GED program in Clarkston and leads a weekly Volunteer Emory service trip to the program.

On campus, Dunn served on the Honor Council and led the Emory College Council’s Committee for Academic Integrity. He has served as an orientation leader and currently works with the Oxford Continuee Association.

Dunn will teach high school math in Atlanta as part of Teach for America for two years. He plans to return to law school to pursue a career in policy making and health care.

In addition to earning scholarships, Dunn is a recipient of Emory Advantage, a financial aid program that replaces eligible loans with institutional grants. The aid allowed him and his younger sister who just completed her freshman year at Oxford, to attend Emory. 

“I tried to do what I was passionate about,” says Dunn, “because those are the things I did best.”