Robertson Scholars Program
The Robertson Scholars Program is a joint full-ride merit scholarship and leadership development program at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The scholarship offers participants a unique “dual citizenship” where they are students at both Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill to approximately 36 students selected from among the more than 39,000 applications to the two schools each year [1]
The program also runs a bus service connecting the Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill campuses[2][3].
History and Background
The program was created in 2000 by benefactor Julian Robertson, a 1955 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. Mr. Robertson sought to increase collaboration between Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill as well as to recruit students to the two universities[4][5][6]. His initial $24 million gift as well as his subsequent gifts to the program and the universities are overseen by a Board of Directors including Duke University President Richard Brodhead, UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor James Moeser, and Julian Robertson himself. [7]
In 2008, the Robertson program announced plans to construct a permanent building at UNC-Chapel Hill with an auditorium, library, study lounge, student café, and program offices. The preliminary site design was approved by the UNC-Chapel Hill board of trustees at their March 2008 meeting. [8] [9]
The program covers all college costs (tuition, room and board, a laptop, plus a living stipend) and provides recipients full funding for three summers of global travel, research, and internships [10]Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).[11] Program participants have regularly won the prestigious Truman Scholarships, Fulbright Fellowships, and Hart Fellowships [12][13][14] [15][16][17][18][19][20].
Controversy
In December 2006, the Duke Student Government banned UNC-Chapel Hill based Robertson Scholars from participating in tenting for the Duke game versus UNC-Chapel Hill, although they can still get in via the walk-up line. This caused considerable controversy on the campus and garnered national media attention.[21][22][23]
More recently, questions have been raised about the ability of Duke-based Robertson Scholars to vote in UNC-Chapel Hill student government elections. [24]
External links
- ^ UNC, Duke announce winners of Robertson Scholarships. UNC-Chapel Hill News Services.
- ^ Express Bus. Robertson Scholars Program.
- ^ The Robertson Bus: Not Just for Students. Duke University Office of News & Communications.
- ^ Strachman, D. A. (2004). Julian Robertson: tiger in the land of bulls and bears. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.
- ^ Forbes 400 Richest Americans—Julian Robertson
- ^ With increased aid, Yale woos admitted students. Yale Daily News.
- ^ Board of Directors. Robertson Scholars Program.
- ^ March 2008 Design Reviews UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees.
- ^ Robertsons Eye Campus Space The Daily Tar Heel.
- ^ Robertson Scholars Program. Duke University Undergraduate Financial Aid Office.
- ^ New Support for Community Service. Inside Higher Education.
- ^ Digby, J. (2005). Peterson's smart choices: honors programs & colleges. Princeton, N.J.: Peterson's.
- ^ Duke junior named Truman Scholar. Duke University Office of News & Communications.
- ^ UNC’s Lauren McAlee wins $30,000 Truman Scholarship. UNC News Services.
- ^ UNC's Lauren McAlee wins $30,000 Truman Scholarship. Robertson Scholars Program.
- ^ Frequently Asked Quesitons. Robertson Scholars Program.
- ^ 2007 Truman Scholars. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.
- ^ The Power of One. The Duke Chronicle.
- ^ Rutland graduation speaker is just 21. Rutland Hearld.
- ^ Duke Program Seeks to Expand Service Work. The New York Times.
- ^ Krzyzewskiville closed to joint scholars from North Carolina. "USA Today." Accessed on 12 Dec 2006.
- ^ Discrimination at Duke The Daily Tar Heel.
- ^ UNC outrage spurs Duke rebuke. News & Observer.
- ^ BOE lets Duke students vote. The Daily Tar Heel.