Hariqbal Basi leaves no stone unturned. A triple major, he has won numerous honors and awards including a Charter Scholarship, awarded to the top five percent of incoming University of Georgia students, the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship, the Governor’s Scholarship, and Superintendent Scholarship. He has also been a Presidential Scholar and made Dean’s List, every semester. If that’s not amazing enough, he won first place in solo dance at the 2004 National Bollywood Talent Competition (Bollywood is India’s Film industry) and performed in UGA’s CORE Concert Dance Spring 2005 Collection concert. He is also a National Issues Forum moderator, and has been a volunteer at GPTV pledge drives and the Sikh Youth Camp in Atlanta.
Hometown:
Dunwoody, Georgia
High School:
Dunwoody High School
Degree objective:
B.A. in political science, A.B.J. in public relations, B.S. in psychology, and a minor in Religion
Expected graduation:
May 2007
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
Currently, I am serving as the operations manager for the Journal for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (JURO) and as India Nite 2006 chair. I am part of the inaugural class of Honors Civic Leaders, and I am an intern at the Cox Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research. I have remained a Franklin Senator in the Student Government Association, serving on the All-Campus Student Activity Fee Allocations Committee and the 2005 Elections Committee, and I represented UGA at the SEC SGA Exchange. I have also served as the vice president of public relations for Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-Law Fraternity) and been a member of the I.C.E. Dance team, performing at variety of events. I have been active with National Issues Forums and the Public Policy Institute, sponsored by the Honors Program and the Carter Center. In Spring 2004, I co-interviewed internationally recognized UGA comparative literature professor Katarina Wilson alongside Betty Jean Craig as part of the Inside Stories series broadcast on the University Housing channel. Having completed graduate level work in my study abroad classes at Oxford University and the Cannes Film Festival, I have nearly completed the requirements for graduation with highest honors.
Family Ties to UGA:
My sister, Hersimren Basi, graduated from UGA with bachelor’s degrees in microbiology, psychology, and religion in May 2004. After completing research on a fellowship at the CDC in Atlanta, she will be attending the Medical College of Georgia in the fall. I have been lucky to have her as a role model.
I chose to attend UGA because…
Apart from receiving scholarships that almost cover my cost of attendance, UGA is also ranked among the top twenty public institutions in the nation, offering unparalleled learning opportunities. I consider UGA to offer a well-rounded education, allowing me to explore a broad range of interests and develop a variety of skills in a way I would not have been able to at any other university. Through the Honors Program, I feel that I am receiving an Ivy League-equivalent education for a fraction of the price. The exceptional caliber of students here makes me proud to say that I attend the same Institution as them.
In addition to academic and financial reasons, I felt like I could make a difference here by contributing to the University’s growing culture of understanding. Conversations in which I am able to contribute to someone’s knowledge about my culture, religion, viewpoints, or even just make him or her think about something new leave me with a feeling of indescribable fulfillment.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…walking through North Campus at night. It’s a great place for me to clear my mind and develop my thoughts. I also love going to Snelling dining hall. I always run into people there that I don’t get a chance to regularly see. Being on the meal plan has helped me stay in touch with many friends.
When I have free time, I like…
…working out, dancing, reading, creative writing, and fashion designing. In high school, I made several of my dates’ prom and homecoming dresses and often make my dance costumes. Among the rest of my activities, I also try to squeeze in some sleep in my free time.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
…helped farm the land in an underdeveloped village using an ox-driven plow on a trip to India. I also milked a cow.
My favorite professor is…
…Betty Jean Craig, director of the Center for Humanities and Arts, teaches a thought-provoking Comparative Literature (Ecocriticism) class that has been one of the best courses I have taken. In addition, David Williams and Pam Kleiber, who run the Honors Program, have been incredible mentors.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
I cherish every moment I am able to spend with my family and close friends. Rather than spending time with a famous personality whom I do not know well, I just want to spend as much time as possible with the people in my life that I admire and value the most.
After graduation, I plan to…
…attend law school and focus in communication/entertainment law. After working in the field of communication law for some time, I hope to work for the Federal Communications Commission in the international bureau or as legal counsel for the Motion Picture Association of America.
