OVERVIEW

* Highest award given by faculty to undergraduates (approximately three to five awarded each year).
* Nomination of candidates only through Departments and Programs.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

A current junior who will graduate in May 2014

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 or Program polls faculty, reviews student’s record, or obtains 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) Department/Program notifies nominee and solicits student essay (see below)
4) Deadline for submission of complete dossiers (a total of six should be submitted on each nominee): 3:00 p.m., Thursday, February 14, 2013 to: Academic Council Office, 304 West Union Building, Box 90928.

Each dossier must contain:

1) Application Cover Sheet
2) Transcript (of those submitted, one must be certified by the Registrar’s Office — the others may be copies)
3) Two supporting recommendation letters
4) Student essay (maximum of three pages, single-spaced)

STUDENT PROCEDURES

* Contacts DUS to indicate interest in the award (optional)
* If selected as a candidate, writes essay (maximum three pages, single-spaced) 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 February 8, 2013.

FACULTY SCHOLARS COMMITTEE

1) Evaluates application packets submitted by Departments/Programs
2) Selects semi-finalists; notifies them by email
3) Interviews semi-finalists and selects winners
4) Presents recommendations to the Academic Council for approval

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