Bosnian Refugee is recipient of Otis Jackson Scholarship

by Brennan Robison

Jasenka Besic has overcome many obstacles to become a thriving college student who devotes her time to helping children.

Jasenka's family came to the U.S. in 1994 from Bosnia, fleeing the civil war that pitted Muslims against Christians. Her family was both.

Now a rising senior at Oglethorpe University, Jasenka volunteers as a counselor at Refugee Family Services, an outreach center that helped her family when they arrived.

Last fall, Creative Loafing featured a story about Jasenka's work with Refugee Family Services

Jasenka is one of two winners of the Otis Jackson Scholarship.

"I would never have expected to get this award," Jasenka told the club Monday. "I applied because I stood for integrity, service, and character, exactly what the Otis Jackson Scholarship is about."

Coordinator Jerry Hux says this is the most outstanding group of applicants we've ever had.

Buckhead Rotary member Frank Stevenson started the Otis Jackson scholarship 20 years ago in honor of our late Past President, Otis Jackson, educator and graduate of Oglethorpe. Patterned after the Rhodes Scholar program, the foundation provides two, two-year scholarships beginning with the student's junior year, providing $10,000 in tuition assistance to each student, paid in increments of $5,000 per year.

"I am so amazed and thankful for this honor," Jasenka said.