Rodrigo Suarez was contemplating his future, specifically his plans for college, when his counselor at Christian Brothers High School (CBHS) told him about the new Day Foundation La Salle Fellows Program.

Thanks to the generous support of the Day Foundation and funding from Christian Brothers University, up to 10 full-tuition scholarships are now awarded annually to first-time freshmen from Memphis and Shelby County-area high schools.

Three CBHS graduates are among the inaugural class of recipients, and Rodrigo said the scholarship not only helped him financially but also made it feel like the universe was giving him a sign about his future career path.

“Since I was younger, I liked the idea of building or constructing something,” said Rodrigo. “At that moment, I was grateful for the opportunity. I also thought, ‘Maybe it’s a push to get that degree in chemical engineering.’”

CBHS shared news about the scholarships on social media, and, in a sweet response, St. Ann Catholic School (grades PK-8) posted, “Congratulations to St. Ann graduate Rodrigo Suarez. Your excellence always shines.”

Rodrigo likes to solve problems, which makes engineering a logical field to pursue, and chemical engineering specifically aligns with his interests in the environment and health. 

“What drew my attention was the amount we were consuming,” said Rodrigo. “Tires, for example, aren’t really disposable, but a car has its four wheels, and you’re supposed to change them every so many miles.

“Also, the food industry. I heard that the cooking oils that we use have similar traits with the oil that we use in the motors of our cars. That’s where health issues and speculation of whether it’s good for our bodies arises. … From what I have seen, chemical engineering is a pathway to find solutions for problems. Through chemical engineering, you can find the truth of what really happens in the world.”

Since arriving at CBU this fall, Rodrigo has joined a fraternity and is enjoying spending time with his new brothers, some of whom were already “brothers” because they, too, graduated from CBHS. 

“I’ve heard that to get the best of your college years, you should get involved, and that’s when I made the decision to see what the fraternity offers,” said Rodrigo. 

Additionally, he plans to join the Student Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), participate in Campus Ministry activities, and continue volunteering at a local food pantry. 

We are excited to have Rodrigo as a member of the inaugural class of Day Foundation scholars and wish him the very best of luck on his CBU journey!