Rodrigo Suarez, a graduate of Christian Brothers High School (CBHS), is among the first recipients of the Day Foundation La Salle Fellows Program scholarship. The program, funded by the Day Foundation and Christian Brothers University (CBU), provides up to 10 full-tuition scholarships each year to incoming freshmen from Memphis and Shelby County-area high schools.

Suarez learned about the opportunity through his school counselor. He said the scholarship not only provided financial support but also influenced his decision to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. “Since I was younger, I liked the idea of building or constructing something,” Suarez said. “At that moment, I was grateful for the opportunity. I also thought, ‘Maybe it’s a push to get that degree in chemical engineering.’”

After CBHS announced the scholarships on social media, St. Ann Catholic School congratulated Suarez publicly: “Congratulations to St. Ann graduate Rodrigo Suarez. Your excellence always shines.”

Suarez explained his interest in chemical engineering comes from wanting to solve real-world problems related to consumption and health. “What drew my attention was the amount we were consuming,” he said. “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 starting at CBU this fall, Suarez has joined a fraternity and reconnected with fellow CBHS graduates now attending CBU as well. “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,” he said.

He also plans to join student organizations such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Chapter and participate in campus ministry activities while continuing his volunteer work at a local food pantry.

Christian Brothers University has expressed support for Suarez as part of its inaugural class of Day Foundation scholars.