Q: How did you choose to attend Harvard and how did you pick your major?
A: I had a teacher who said “you belong somewhere like Stanford or Harvard or Yale,” so I applied to them for kicks, then got in. I thought that was great, but there was no way I was going to be able to pay. Then my ENF scholarship came, and I wound up taking off and going to Harvard. I had studied Russian before school and I went to Russia for a couple of years, so I majored in Russian Studies with a minor in psychology.

Q: What have you done since graduation?
A: I decided to go on to Stanford and got a master’s in Russian Studies. While in Silicon Valley, I got involved in some technology activities, and through networking and job hunting, wound up getting a job at a software company. Now, I’m at Intuit as a program manager for online banking software.

Q: What did your ENF scholarship mean to you?
A: Click here to watch a video of Sean describing what his ENF scholarship meant to him.

Q: What was your favorite memory from attending the Elks Convention?
A: I think my favorite thing was getting to meet a lot of Elks and getting to spend a lot of time with them—those personal connections of meeting great people who are part of a great community.

Q: What does being an Elks scholar mean to you?
A: I think to me there are two sides. It’s a great honor and privilege, but it also instills sense of responsibility that where much is given, much is expected. In becoming a part of this community, there is a responsibility and an opportunity to give back and impact the lives of other people.

Q: What advice do you have for other Elks scholars?
A: First off, take advantage of every opportunity that you come across. Good things happen to people who say yes. Get out, try new things and meet new people. Put yourself out there so opportunities can come your way—whether educational, professional or personal.

Q: What is an interesting fact about you that most people would find surprising or unexpected?
A: I’m one of 11 kids. I have 30 nieces and nephews. I speak Russian fluently. I married my high school sweetheart.