The Jefferson Scholars FoundationINTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEWPurposeFrom its beginnings, the University of Virginia has addressed as its primary business the task of producing leaders for a self-governing people. Thomas Jefferson felt that individual talent and initiative must be the chief qualifications for leadership, and he believed that those blessed with superior ability should assume the burdens of leadership. Fulfilling Thomas Jefferson's goal of attracting future leaders to his University and nurturing their development is at the heart of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. The intent of the Foundation is to attract to the Grounds of the University the most promising students in the nation; young men and women who possess exceptional talent in leadership and scholarship and who have the potential to make significant contributions to the University as students and to the world at large as alumni. CriteriaThe specific criteria that govern the selection of Jefferson Scholars are the Jeffersonian ideals of excellence in leadership, scholarship, and citizenship. Awarded to individuals who combine these qualities and who excel in a wide range of endeavors, Jefferson Scholarships bring extraordinary young people to the University's student body. The Foundation seeks modern-day Thomas Jeffersons, individuals who show promise of becoming tomorrow's leaders and whose talents and energies will significantly benefit the University community. StipendIn 2005-2006 each Jefferson Scholarship provides an annual stipend of $16,495 for residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia or $33,415 for out-of-state or international students. These amounts are designed to cover the full cost of attending the University, including tuition, fees, books, room and board, and miscellaneous expenses. The scholarships are renewable annually and are intended to cover four years of study at the University. In addition to the scholarship stipend, the Jefferson Scholars Foundation offers a comprehensive enrichment program for its Scholars. This program includes two summer enrichment opportunities. In the summer following their first year, the scholars participate in a two-week Institute for Leadership and Citizenship designed to foster a deeper understanding of the art of leadership and the importance of citizenship. Following their second year at the University, all Jefferson Scholars are invited to attend an independent travel study program at the Erasmus Institute in Tuscany, Italy, at The Regent's College, Regent's Park, London or to travel throughout Europe with the Commerce School Professor Brad Brown. They are also offered an outdoor leadership course, a regular series of luncheons with prominent alumni and faculty and an opportunity to work closely with the Miller Center for Public Affairs. The enrichment component is designed to enhance and broaden the academic training provided by the University. FundingFunding for the scholarships and the enrichment programs is provided by private donors. At present the Foundation has an endowment of over $150 million. The Foundation is in the midst of a $100 million development effort as part of the University-wide capital campaign. Selection ProcessJefferson Scholarships are awarded solely on the basis of merit and are granted to candidates who have undergone a rigorous selection process. The Foundation identifies finalists in the competition through two avenues: 1) 45 geographically defined regional competitions (where designated Scholarship funds have been raised) and 2) a separate at-large competition with the cooperation of the Office of Admission and Schools of Nursing and Architecture for students from schools outside the geographic regions. Regions which currently have sufficient funds designated to participate in the geographical competition of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation include the following: Birmingham, Alabama; Arkansas; San Francisco, Bay Area, California; Fairfield, Connecticut; Delaware; Atlanta, Georgia; South Georgia/Tallahassee, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; St. Louis, Missouri; Buffalo New York; Long Island, New York; New York, New York; Westchester, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Piedmont Triad, North Carolina; Cincinnati, Ohio/Northern Kentucky; Northeast Ohio; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania; Central and Upstate South Carolina; Lowcountry, South Carolina/Georgia; Eastern Tennessee; Memphis, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee; Dallas, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Houston, Texas; Charlottesville, Virginia; Dan River Area, Virginia; Lower Peninsula Area, Virginia; Lynchburg, Virginia; Northern Virginia; Piedmont Area, Virginia; Richmond, Virginia; Roanoke, Virginia; Southwest Virginia; Tidewater Virginia; Commonwealth of Virginia (areas of Virginia not previously mentioned); Washington, D.C./Suburban Maryland; and Wyoming. As additional endowment funds are raised, these regions will be expanded and new regions added. In the areas which have designated scholarships, individual high schools are written annually in mid-September, and asked to review their entire senior classes. Following such a review each school is requested to nominate for consideration to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation the single student who in the school's estimation is the top leader, scholar, and citizen. These high school nominees are then screened by Regional Selection Committees who identify finalists to participate in the Jefferson Scholars Foundation national competition, held each March in Charlottesville. Students, inside or outside the United States, who live in areas without sufficient designated funds to be a part of the geographical competition may be considered for Jefferson Scholarships through the Foundation's at-large competition. In the at-large competition the Jefferson Scholars Foundation receives nominations from the University's Office of Admission. To be considered, students must complete the U.Va. Application for Admission and submit the application to the University of Virginia by January 1. Additionally, they must request that the Educational Testing Service forward their SAT scores to the University. The U.Va. Office of Admission reviews these applications and nominates exceptionally talented leaders, scholars, and citizens to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. In 2004-2005 through this process the Foundation selected 12 at-large finalists to compete at the national competition for Jefferson Scholarships. History of SuccessThough numbers alone cannot capture the essence of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, a few statistics demonstrate the progress the Foundation has made over the years. Initiated in 1980 by the Board of Managers of the U.Va. Alumni Association, the Foundation by 1985 had 398 participating high schools and 186 volunteers serving on the Regional Selection Committees. This year these numbers will increase to over 2,300 participating high schools with almost 700 volunteers serving the Foundation. Similarly, the number of finalists brought to the Grounds has increased from 38 to 96. Built on the knowledge that U.Va. alumni would support the concept, the endowment of the Foundation has grown from virtually nothing to over $150 million. Most impressive are the records of the Scholars. Our 403 Jefferson Scholar alumni have compiled a remarkable record of achievement, receiving 173 special prizes at Commencement including the University's highest award for leadership and service. In May of 2005, the 21st class of Jefferson Scholars graduated from the University. The Class of 2005 included the chair and a vice-chair of the Honor Committee, two vice chairs of the University Judiciary Committee, a Rhodes Scholar, and the recipient of the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award. Also in the class were a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship recipient, a Gray Carrington Award winner, a Robert Kent Gooch Scholar, eight recipients of David A. Harrison Research award grants, and four class trustees. At Final Exercises the Class of 2005 received 24 prizes or recognitions including the William Maury Hill Scholarship and the Duncan Clark Hyde Memorial Award in Economics, the Marie M. Giuliano Prize in Spanish, and the Brander Wyatt Morrison Prize in Music. Other prizes included the Best Economics Distinguished Major Thesis, The Chemical Engineering Faculty Award for Achievement and Service, and the Dudley M. Harman Scholarship in Chemical Engineering. Twelve members of the class were selected to live on the Lawn, and their cumulative GPA was 3.727. In the past several years, five Scholars have been selected as student representative to the University Board of Visitors; four have been chosen President of the College of Arts & Sciences; and six have been chosen Chairman of the Honor Committee. In 2005-2006, 125 Scholars are in residence on Grounds; like their predecessors they are actively making significant contributions to all areas of University life. And finally, the cumulative GPA for all Jefferson Scholars remains in excess of 3.6, a measure of the considerable academic ability of those who are part of the Jefferson Scholars community. For more information on the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, please write: Or visit The Jefferson Scholars Foundation website, www.jeffersonscholars.org. |