Increasing scholarship support is a top priority for the School
The Class of 2018 includes our first cadre of Nicholas Scholars, an elite group of students selected as part of a new scholarship program focusing on development of environmental leaders. This cohort includes nine outstanding incoming students who exemplify the School’s most valued traits: academic excellence, diverse life experiences and perspectives, and environmental leadership potential.
These emerging leaders have received scholarships that cover two-thirds of their tuition – the highest level of financial aid the Nicholas School has ever offered. These scholarships are made possible thanks to the generosity of past and present Nicholas School donors who have started or contributed to new and existing scholarship and financial aid funds, as well as supporters of the Nicholas School Annual Fund.
In addition to scholarship support, Nicholas Scholars will take part in new two-year program designed to expand their understanding of, and inspire new perspectives and insights on, environmental leadership. Guided by a faculty advisor, they will also have opportunities to network with local environmental leaders and practitioners and hone their personal leadership potential. After graduation, these scholars will proactively engage with the environmental community as distinguished alumni of the Nicholas School.
“As excited as I was to receive my acceptance letter, I was even more excited to get my award letter. The generous scholarship has allowed me resign from my job so that I can focus entirely on my educational goals for the next two years. I am forever grateful for this amazing opportunity and support.”
Kristen McKinley
Nicholas Scholar, MEM Candidate, 2018
Kristen is one of 9 scholars to receive the scholarship. Congratulations to her, along with Brendan Hannon, Gloria Aldana, James MacCarthy, Kelley Robbins, Samantha Godwin, Taylor Price, Alexander Rudee, and Yongwoo Lee!
Increasing scholarships is critical
In the final year of the university-wide Duke Forward Campaign and beyond, the Nicholas School will focus on a fundraising initiative aimed at significantly increasing the School’s financial aid resources and scholarships to open doors for talented students to make their dreams of pursuing an environmental education at Duke a reality.
Over the past year, School leaders have retooled our scholarship program in an effort to close the gap between the cost of attendance and the financial aid we can offer; reduce student debt upon graduation; and more successfully recruit the most outstanding candidates. But this is only the beginning.
“Increased scholarship support will significantly ease our students’ financial concerns and allow them to focus on getting the most out of their educational experience at Duke,” said Interim Dean Jeff Vincent. “Decreasing student debt will give our graduates more freedom to pursue careers where they can make the greatest impact on our environment. This is a great investment, not only in these outstanding students, but also in the future of our planet.”
To learn how you can help open doors to a top-tier environmental education through an endowed scholarship, contact Associate Dean Kevin McCarthy in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 919-613-8003 or kevin.p.mccarthy@duke.edu.
