THE AWARD

* Highest award given by faculty to undergraduates (about 3 – 5 per year).
* Nomination of candidates only through Departments and Programs.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

Student will graduate in May 2010

Student record shows:
1) impressively high overall Grade Point Average
2) evidence of independent work (e.g. independent studies, research, special projects, field study, creative writing, etc.)
3) potential for innovative scholarship
4) intention to pursue a scholarly career

SELECTION PROCEDURES

1) Department/Program uses faculty polls, record searches, student declarations of interest, etc. to select nominees.
2) One nominee if number of majors is less than thirty; otherwise, maximum number of nominees is two.
3) Deadline for selection: September 10.
4) Department/Program notifies nominee and solicits student essay (see below)
5) Deadline for submission of complete dossiers in quadruplicate: 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 23.

Dossiers must contain:

1) Application Cover Sheet
2) Transcript
3) Two supporting letters
4) Student essay

STUDENT PROCEDURES

* Contacts DUS to indicate interest in the award (optional)
* If selected as candidate, writes essay (maximum 3 pages) describing:
1) educational and professional goals
2) how academic program has been designed to achieve these goals (through independent scholarship as well as coursework)
3) Submits essay to DUS by September 17.

FACULTY SCHOLAR COMMITTEE

1) Evaluates application packets submitted by Departments/Programs
2) Selects finalists; notifies them by email, September 29-30
3) Interviews finalists (October 14)
4) Presents recommendations to the Academic Council (October 22) for vote

AMOUNT OF AWARD

* Based on financial need (as determined by the Financial Aid Office)
* If student is on financial aid, the amount awarded will reduce the loan and work-study parts of the regular financial aid package, with any excess given as a stipend to the extent permitted by Federal Law
* Minimum of $1,000 stipend if student currently receives no financial aid.