2008 Homecoming King Beau Gilmore shows his trademark grin and abundant energy when asked about his time at UGA.  He talked about how much he enjoyed his academic path of biology and exercise science, but his real passion showed when he spoke about the service projects he participated in while at UGA: “I feel strongly that time is wasted if not devoted to service.  My passion for people, being around them, working through their problems, forming relationships, and collectively working towards their goals means everything to me.”

It is that core commitment to service that led Beau to become a leading force for UGA Relay for Life. But Beau did not just serve with his peers on campus.  With funding from his Foundation Fellowship, Beau traveled to Tanzania where he worked for six weeks in a local clinic participating in outpatient care, vaccinating and weighing infants, and providing many services to pregnant women.  Although his knowledge of the local language was minimal, he was able to communicate with the locals and work independently at the clinic. 

The trip strengthened Beau’s taste for adventure and passion to serve others. So the next summer, he traveled to Peru with another Foundation Fellow. While there Beau found another clinic to volunteer in. 

His time at UGA volunteering with Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society, and his volunteer work in Africa and Latin America, helped Beau to clarify his career goals in medicine. He would like to either specialize in pediatric oncology or third-world internal medicine. But first he took a year off to find some more adventure (volunteering with AmeriCorps in Arizona with Coconino Rural Environment Corps) and to find some more opportunities to volunteer his services. He will attend the University of Virginia Medical School next year.