The Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees awarded Sarah Knop '16 with its fourth Outstanding Student Award.
The Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees awarded Sarah Knop '16 with its fourth Outstanding Student Award, a $2,500 honor, during a Trustee dinner on Wednesday at the Foundation’s headquarters. The Austin native expects to graduate with a 4.0 GPA this month, and will receive degrees in business honors and finance with a minor in economics. This fall, she will begin a position with the consulting firm Bain & Co.
Former Foundation Trustee Melbern Glasscock and his wife Susanne created the endowed award in 2012 to honor an exceptional student at Texas A&M University and Foundation scholarship recipient each year with a cash award. Recipients of the award have distinguished themselves as leaders, and candidates are required to demonstrate that they have overcome personal or family financial challenges. Despite their tight budgets, these students have flourished on campus and in the classroom.
As the youngest of four siblings, Knop spent her senior year of high school finding scholarship support that would lighten her parents’ financial load. To her, the Trustees’ Outstanding Student Award is the culmination of her hard work and a reminder of the generosity she received as a student.
“My parents worked so hard to provide for my family growing up. The scholarships I received were my way of giving back and thanking my parents,” Knop said. “This award represents my pursuit to be outstanding, even with some mistakes along the way, and the resulting growth that occurred during the past four years.
“It serves as a tangible reminder of the unique and special place that is Texas A&M and the people who have selflessly poured into me during my time here, while simultaneously reminding me to follow in their footsteps of generosity.”
Knop began her college education at a school in California with plans of becoming a neurosurgeon but decided to change course, transferring to Texas A&M early in the program.
“The Business Honors Program was unbelievably helpful, and doors just opened,” Knop said. “All of the people who helped me transfer were amazing; they made me want to come to a school like A&M.”
By January 2013, Knop had transitioned to life as an Aggie, and her coursework in the Mays Business School provided a solid foundation for her extracurricular involvement. During her time as a student, Knop served as CEO of the Titans of Investing, president of Aggie Investment Club, director of Horizons Program and a board member for Startup Aggieland. She was also selected to represent Texas A&M and Mays Business School in January 2015 at the Silicon Valley Bank Trek, which aims to support the next generation of innovators.
“I’ve learned the most in college through the organizations I have been involved in, and the people I have met through them,” Knop said. “The students and alumni are so selfless, generous, and willing to support other people. Most schools are not like this.”
In addition to her leadership, Knop has also won a number of prestigious accolades including a Who’s Who Among American Universities Award, a prize at the BP Trading Competition and a Stout Risius Ross Woman in Finance award.
“Sarah stood out to us because she rose to the challenge of supporting herself through school with scholarships, while simultaneously taking on active leadership roles at Texas A&M,” said George Hickox, chairman of the trustees. “Sarah’s professors and mentors all described her as bright, curious and goal-oriented, even in the face of adversity. These characteristics embody the spirit of the Trustees’ Outstanding Student Award.”
Off campus, Knop has explored several business ventures. She is the founder of a venture called CircleShare, a marketing and media technology company.
“CircleShare has been an opportunity to dip my toes in entrepreneurship, and has given me a taste of what I might want to do in the future,” Knop said.
Throughout college, she spent much of her free time developing a vision and prototype for the company. After a few years in the workforce, Knop hopes to use her more developed skillset to expand CircleShare.
During her summers off, Knop held several business internships in investment banking, strategic planning and consulting. Most recently, she interned at Bain & Co., and her performance prompted the company to offer her a full-time consultant job.
“When you’re a consultant, you learn to do mental gymnastics thinking about business, opportunities and obstacles,” Knop said.
To celebrate her accomplishments, she plans to use this award to plan a post-college adventure.
“A highlight of my college experience was studying abroad,” said Knop, who spent a month in London after her sophomore year. “I want to use the money to help fund a trip and go somewhere brand new.”
More information about the Trustees’ Outstanding Student Award.
Texas A&M Foundation
The Texas A&M Foundation is a nonprofit organization that solicits and manages investments in academics and leadership programs to enhance Texas A&M’s capability to be among the best universities.
To learn more about scholarships, fellowships and program-focused giving to benefit Texas A&M University, contact the Foundation at txamfoundation.com, (800) 392-3310 or (979) 845-8161.
