2025 Gladfelter Fellows Scholarship

Millard E. and Ida G. Gladfelter Fellows are thoughtful, creative, and diligent students
dedicated to pursuing research in history, political science, or related disciplines in service of
learning to better understand our society and the complex problems it faces. Two incoming
students will be admitted to the Gladfelter Fellows program each year and will each receive
$5000 in both their junior and senior years ($10,000 over two years) as long as they remain
in good standing in the program and conduct a substantial multi-semester research project in
their junior and/or senior years. The primary goals of this program are to foster serious student
research on topics addressing critical issues in social, environmental, economic, or political
affairs, with a preference for research that approaches these questions through research in
American history.


This program culminates in a two-semester original scholarly research project to be
completed in the junior and/or senior years. Students will work with a faculty expert in their area
of interest to develop and pursue an original research project through either two semesters of
independent study or by combining an independent study course with participation in a
conventional thesis seminar course, with the independent study expanding upon the thesis
research. Gladfelter Fellows’ research will typically culminate in an extended formal research
paper and presentation, though the option to convey research findings through alternate media
(such as a museum exhibit or website) may be possible. Gladfelter scholars will receive
mentorship from faculty and peer mentors, and, as they become upperclassmen, will also
participate in mentoring newer members of the Fellows program.


Requirements: Awardees will most commonly be History or Political Science majors, but
students from other related majors such as Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Intelligence
Analysis, International Relations, Medical Humanities, Philosophy, Public History or
Secondary Education-Social Studies who wish to pursue such research are also encouraged to
apply. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, complete the assigned research sequence,
participate in program mentorship activities, and remain in the major for which they are admitted
(or receive pre-approval of any major change) to secure fellowship monies. Students must
remain full-time students while receiving Gladfelter fellowship monies.