A note from Natalie Smith, outreach director
I've made some of my closest friends through the McConnell Scholars Program, and it is no exaggeration to say that it has been the most formative aspect of my college experience.
My name is Natalie Smith, and I am the student Outreach Director for the McConnell Scholars Program. I grew up in Elizabethtown, Ky., and attended Central Hardin High School. I am currently a junior double majoring in English and political science at the University of Louisville. I applied for the McConnell Scholars Program as a senior in high school with the hope that I would learn how to be a leader, and I've come away with much more. I've had opportunities to meet local, national and international leaders, participate in community service events, and travel to Washington, DC, Michigan, and China. In the spring, I am very excited to travel with other McConnell Scholars to England and Scotland to study "America's British Heritage." In preparation for the trip, we have been reading the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, David Hume, and C.K. Chesterton, among others.
If you are interested in the McConnell Scholars Program, I invite you to schedule a date to shadow a current McConnell Scholar to an undergraduate class, tour campus and enjoy a complimentary lunch. You can also meet with a representative from the McConnell Center, Honors Program and Admissions Office. You can also apply to participate in "Invitee Day," a signature event in which high school seniors visit the McConnell Center for a day, touring campus and participating in a mock seminar-style reading discussion. We also host a similar event in the spring for high school juniors. Lastly, I invite you to join us at the McConnell Center's next public talk. Each month, the Center invites notable authors and policy experts to discuss historical and contemporary issues with the greater Louisville and Kentucky community. These events are free and open to the public.
You might also be interested in learning more about:
- Current McConnell Scholars
- Scholarship Application (due Jan. 15)
- Scholarship Benefits & Requirements
Hope to see you soon at the McConnell Center!