Scholars Program
OVERVIEW • LEADERSHIP • SCHOLARSHIP • SERVICE • TRAVEL
Overview
Each year, 10 Kentucky high school seniors are invited to join the McConnell Scholar Program—an undergraduate scholarship society built on the pillars of leadership, scholarship, and service. Program highlights also include international travel opportunities and support for internships throughout the world.
Leadership
Students are exposed to leadership principles through both literature and practice.
- • Experts, authors, and politicians are invited to facilitate discussion between and among scholars about current and historical events and concepts. Click here for a sampling of what Scholars are currently reading. Click here for a list of major speakers who have visited the McConnell Center.
- • Scholars exercise leadership within the program and on campus. Kirk Laughlin is the current Chair of Scholars. Eleven students are currently serving in elected or appointed Student Government Association positions including chief of staff, senators, and executive assistants.
Scholarship
- • Current scholars are a blend of biology, chemistry, communication, economics, engineering, English, finance, fine arts, history, justice administration, marketing, math, political science, Russian, Spanish, and theater arts majors and minors.
- • Scholars are consistently named to the Dean's List and invited to join the Honors Program.
- • Scholars have fulfilled an internship requirement by serving as public relations interns, working in the U.S. Dept. of Labor, and serving on economic development and planning committees. Scholars have ventured to D.C., throughout the Commonwealth, and as far as Montpelier, France, for internships.
Service
- • Scholars participate in about 400 hours of community service each semester. Projects vary each year, but annual favorites include Halloween at the Zoo, Project Warm, and Habitat for Humanity.
Travel
- • Incoming freshmen trek to Washington, D.C., during the summer, meeting with politicians and their staffs, policy analysts, and experts. Visits to the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol, and Mt. Vernon are part of the annual itinerary.
- • During their junior year, scholars venture to the People's Republic of China for a five-week study abroad program. In addition to studying Chinese politics and government at a Chinese university, McConnell Scholars travel to Beijing, Qinghuagdao, and Shanghai.
- • Before school resumes in August, all 40 Scholars gather at a Kentucky state park for an annual fall retreat. The location rotates each year, exposing Scholars to the diversity of the Commonwealth.
