Syracuse University launches new merit-based scholarship for upperclass students exhibiting excellent scholarship and community engagement

Syracuse University launches new merit-based scholarship for upperclass students exhibiting excellent scholarship and community engagementApril 08, 2008Kevin C. Quinnkcquinn@syr.edu

Syracuse University juniors and seniors who exemplify SU’s vision of Scholarship in Action will be eligible for a new merit scholarship jointly established by the University and the Syracuse University Student Association.

SU’s vision of Scholarship in Action encourages students and faculty to excel academically while learning, discovering and creating through deep engagement and exchanges with practitioners and communities throughout the world.

The new Scholarship in Action Merit Scholarships will be awarded starting in fall 2008 with 11 students selected to receive the $6,000 scholarships. Juniors will be awarded two years, seniors one year, and architecture students will receive an extra year because of the five-year duration of their program. Three of the recipients will be from The College of Arts and Sciences. The remaining eight undergraduate schools and colleges will receive one scholarship each.

Eligible students must have entered the University without a merit scholarship from SU; have completed two years of study at SU and achieved junior status during the first semester of the scholarship; have earned an overall grade point average of 3.0; and have demonstrated scholarship in action in their time at SU. A rising junior who applies but does not receive a scholarship may reapply for his or her senior year. While students apply to their home school or college for the scholarship, their academic work in other SU academic units will be taken into consideration in the selection process. In order to maintain their scholarships, students will be required to meet the same academic standards that are required for other academic/competitive scholarships.

University officials credit Joe Wieder, a senior political science and public relations dual major and SU Student Association liaison to SU’s Board of Trustees, for conceptualizing the new scholarship and the SU Student Association for spearheading the effort to establish it.

“This is a testament to Joe’s hard work and determination and that of his fellow Student Association members,” says Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric F. Spina. “The fact that students took the initiative to propose this scholarship is in itself an example of Scholarship in Action. In advocating for this program as student leaders and working with Chancellor Cantor to make it a reality, the Student Association has paved the way to help lighten the financial load for dozens of future students to help them pursue Scholarship in Action.”

SU Vice President for Enrollment Management Donald Saleh says the new program is a great collaboration between the University and the student body: “This new scholarship is first a recognition that our Student Association supports the vision of Scholarship in Action and an affirmation that the University recognizes that many of our students embody this vision.”

Wieder credits his fellow student representatives in the Student Association and the University administration for supporting the concept. “We couldn’t have done this without the Chancellor’s and Provost’s offices,” Wieder says. “I believe the launch of the program recognizes that the Student Association can be an agent of positive change on campus.”

Initial funding for the scholarship will come from the University’s general financial aid fund. Subsequent expansion of the scholarship program is dependent on University fundraising efforts.

Students may be nominated by a fellow student, staff member or faculty member, or they may nominate themselves. Details of the nomination procedure are available at the school and college dean’s offices.