After 43 years, Ohio University will be reestablishing the Ohio Fellows Program, a “non-traditional” scholars program that will provide various opportunities for students.
The program will allow students to collaborate with Ohio Fellows faculty and alumni in addition to providing in-depth learning experiences, research and travel support.
Applications are be available online Feb. 1 through March 1. Students must be at least a sophomore, complete an essay from a provided prompt and obtain two letters of recommendation, one from an OU professor. There is no GPA requirement to apply.
Students being considered will go through an interview process in March, and an honors ceremony will be held April 3 to announce the new cohort.
The program is seeking six to eight students who are distinguished in some area of interest and who are willing to expand their knowledge and challenge themselves intellectually and creatively, said Greg Lester, Ohio Fellows program director and assistant dean for student services in the University College.
“We are looking for unique students of promise who may not be recipients of university scholarships,” said Lester.
University College Dean David Descutner said the program is open to students of all difference majors, disciplines and backgrounds.
“We are interested in the student as a whole, not only their grades,” said Descutner.
The Ohio Fellows Program was started in 1964 and was considered an experimental program at OU.
“Vernon Alden, former president of OU, constructed the program in the 1960s as a way to expose students to new experiences, help them make contributions to the world in their area of interest and open up possible leadership opportunities,” said Terry Moore, Ohio Fellows alumnus.
Moore had the idea to bring the program back and began consulting other alumni and faculty fellows in hopes of creating interest. University College took interest, and the Fellows began collaborating to bring the program back.
“At the very least, successful applicants will meet other outstanding young people with whom they may never have crossed paths otherwise,” said Ralph Haberfeld, Ohio Fellows alumnus. “That alone is a good enough reason for the highly qualified to apply.”
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