College Awards First Winner of Sevigny First Generation Scholarship

Victor Lipscomb is the first University of Arizona student to receive the new Sevigny First Generation Scholarship.

Victor Lipscomb, a University of Arizona dance major, is the first winner of the Sevigny First Generation Scholarship.

The new College of Fine Arts scholarship supports first-generation college students, aiding them in the financing of their education.

Lipscomb said the scholarship is a "blessing" because he and his mother were struggling to figure out how to pay for his schooling for the coming year.

"Money is tight," he said. "Before I got the scholarship we were stressed."

But he can now focus more stringently on his studies, he said.

"By being here, I have been able to delve deeper into who I am as a dancer," said Lipscomb, who has been dancing since the age of 10.

"What I realize now is that I really want to do musical theater. That's my passion. Broadway is my goal," Lipscomb said. "I've also had the chance to further explore myself as a choreographer."

Lipscomb's "Between the Yin and the Yang" was featured earlier this month in a UA School of Dance production that featured the work of several students.

Also, as a scholarship recipient Lipscomb has access to additional support, such as mentoring and career development. He also receives a stipend for summer work in his field.

"I have pretty complex concepts in my pieces, and they tend to deal a lot with human emotions," Lipscomb said. "I like to take those emotions and see how far I can go in getting the movement to translate into emotions."