With support from a $8,500 scholarship, the cinema and television arts BFA major will continue their academic pursuits at one of the world’s top film schools.
Alex Chadwick ’24, who earned a bachelor of fine arts in cinema and television arts in May, was recently awarded a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship for post-graduate study.
An aspiring filmmaker, Chadwick is an incoming MFA Screenwriting Fellow at the American Film Institute Conservatory, widely considered one of the most prestigious film schools in the world. The Elon graduate was one of 62 recipients nationwide to receive the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship — which provides $8,500 scholarships for graduate programs — based on their graduate potential, undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership, and career goals, among other qualities.
At Elon, Chadwick studied and practiced narrative filmmaking, focusing on producing, writing, directing and cinematography. They were also deeply involved in campus life, serving as president of Cinelon Productions, Elon’s student-run film production company. During Chadwick’s year of leadership, the organization produced 12 student short films and music videos, including several award-winning projects.
As an undergraduate, the Charlotte native served as the cinematographer for four student films, including three BFA senior thesis projects, and wrote and directed two personal short films. Additionally, she gained industry experience as a production assistant/studio assistant for C&I Studios, a Los Angeles-based film production studio. Chadwick also excelled in the classroom, earning a 3.93 GPA. In April, the student filmmaker was recognized with the Outstanding Senior Award – Cinema and Television Arts at the school’s annual awards ceremony.
Nancy Harris, associate dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of biology, commended Chadwick on a stellar academic career and for a submitting a “compelling” PKP Fellowship application.
“Alex is obviously bright and totally enthusiastic about her chosen field of study,” said Harris, president of Elon’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. “The creative work sample that she submitted as part of her fellowship application was creative and moving – even to us more non-art faculty. We felt that she would make the most of a fellowship as she pursues her professional path.”
Chadwick credits both Kia Swanson and Youssef Osman, assistant professors in the School of Communications, for their respective mentorship during her time under the oaks and studying in the Elon Los Angeles program.
“They believed in my abilities since day one and have pushed me to become a better filmmaker in so many ways,” Chadwick said. “I am so grateful for their support and guidance.”
Likewise, the Elon graduate relishes the relationships and experiences they developed with Cinelon. “(The organization) made a massive impact on me because it threw me into the world of film production and created a great community that made me want to pursue film professionally,” Chadwick said.
Admittedly, Chadwick has felt some nerves ahead of their Aug. 19 start date at the AFI Conservatory, but the Elon graduate looks forward to the experiences and opportunities ahead.
“I am definitely nervous to start this new chapter, but I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity and look forward to growing as a screenwriter and filmmaker,” she said.
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. It inducts approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually with chapters on more than 325 select institutions in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. The top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi allocates $649,000 to outstanding students for first-year graduate or professional study.
Elon’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter was established in 1995 and since has inducted hundreds of undergraduates, graduates, alumni, and faculty and staff to its roster.