Premier scholars programs welcome 18 new students

This fall, 18 scholars are starting their first semester in one of two premier scholarship programs at Clemson University.

Thirteen students were selected for this year’s National Scholars Program cohort, which offers unmatched learning experiences to a select group of high academic and community service-oriented incoming students every year. The program recruits candidates from across the country, with this year’s scholars arriving on campus from as far away as Champaign, I.L. and as close as Greenville, S.C.

Five new Breakthrough Scholars who intend to pursue advanced degrees in STEM fields are also part of that program’s second year. These scholars arrived on campus from communities throughout the state, given the program’s focus on educating and keeping our top STEM students in South Carolina.

There is tremendous talent and potential among high school students in communities throughout South Carolina who, without a program like Breakthrough Scholars, may not have the opportunity to start their career at Clemson University. We are providing these students with the resources they need to better explore their potential in STEM by creating a pathway towards an advanced degree in their home state.

ANAND GRAMOPADHYE, PROFESSOR AND DEAN, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTING AND APPLIED SCIENCES

Regardless of which program they are in, these students have all demonstrated the potential to make a major impact – in their fields, their communities and on a global scale.

Students joining each of our scholar programs this year were making a difference before they even applied to Clemson University. Our scholarship programs and the Honors College help them continue to grow and broaden their potential impact, by connecting them with the faculty, mentors and resources they need to build on their earlier successes. I’m excited to see what they all accomplish at Clemson.

SARAH WINSLOW, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM AND SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY HONORS COLLEGE

Every year, the National Scholars and Breakthrough Scholars programs invite a select group of incoming first-year Clemson University undergraduate students to participate in their scholar communities. Students considered for these programs are inquisitive learners with demonstrated leadership potential and a desire to make a difference through research, service and academic excellence.

Scholars are selected after a review of Clemson University and Honors College applications, followed by interviews and other activities with student finalists. The process gives program faculty and staff an opportunity to gauge the finalists’ interest and potential in developing and using their talents to make a broader impact, whether that be in the classroom, the lab, their community or their future professions.

“These students impressed us with their understanding of major issues affecting the world and their desire to play a pivotal role in solving them,” said Winslow. “For example, this year’s scholars alone are focused on everything from architecture to artificial intelligence to addressing pressing societal issues.”  

Both programs offer individualized support to these students to help them grow their leadership abilities, specialized knowledge and experience in their chosen fields and communities.

National Scholars, for example, receive dedicated academic, personal and professional development opportunities throughout their four years on campus.

Breakthrough Scholars are connected with professionals in science, engineering and health, as well as faculty mentors in research labs both on and off campus, across the nation and in other countries.

Winslow is most excited, however, about the impact these scholar-leaders can make on the campus community when they start to apply their collective potential to make a difference.

“These scholars leave a lasting legacy on campus by leading by example,” Winslow said. “The Honors College’s scholars programs have a long history of being home to Clemson’s most accomplished students, including recipients of nationally-competitive fellowships and the university’s top awards, leaders of student government and campus organizations and notable alumni in a wide array of fields.”

“Perhaps more importantly, they are genuinely good people who care deeply about others.  These are students that have the potential to change the world – and they are going to start realizing that potential here.”

Meet this year’s National Scholars and Breakthrough Scholars.