The Richter Scholars Program supports independent study scholarships for students in the undergraduate College, the Calloway School and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences on the Reynolda Campus of Wake Forest University. Richter Scholarships are competitively awarded for students proposing an independent study project requiring travel away from Winston-Salem. International projects are especially encouraged.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION - February 15, 2008   For graduate students, a review of proposals will begin on February 15, 2008.  

This year, if funded, we anticipate being able to support five projects during the 2008— 2009 academic year. Funding is dependent upon receipt of support from the Richter Memorial Funds.

Scholarship recipients are also eligible to apply for additional funds to cover extraordinary expenses of their research as well as to travel to present their results at scholarly meetings. Scholarship recipients may apply for this support, as needed, in a memorandum to the Associate Dean. The Richter Scholar awards are for up to $5,000. Students are encouraged to pursue enriching, broadening projects that have the promise of being life-changing. To enrich the independent study experience, each student is required to have a faculty mentor for his or her project. Copies of research reports and papers developed under the auspices of the Richter Scholars Program shall upon request be forwarded to the Trustee for the Richter Funds. All publications resulting from the Richter Scholar Program shall acknowledge the sponsorship of the Richter Memorial Funds.

Criteria for Selection
A committee of faculty and administrators in the Graduate School will review applications and select the scholarship recipients. Scholars will be selected based on the following criteria: feasibility of the project, matching with the Richter Scholarships goals, contribution of the project to the overall education and enrichment of the student, commitment of the student and faculty advisor to the project, and the student's demonstrated ability to initiate and sustain creative activities and research. Students must have at least a 3.0 overall average at the time of application. Students must be in good standing with the University. Both the project and the final report must be completed before graduation.

History of the Richter Scholars Program
Bank of America as sole trustees of the Paul K. Richter Memorial Fund and the Evalyn E. Cook Richter Memorial Fund selected Wake Forest University in 2000 to receive a grant (a renewable annual discretionary distribution from the two funds). The grant supports the Richter Scholars Program. J. Edward Richter, born in Chicago in 1898, established these two funds in memory of his parents. A 1921 graduate of Yale University, he attended the University of Cambridge in England during 1921-1923 where he studied history and architecture. His two years at Cambridge were to have a significant influence on his views regarding education. Shortly before his death in 1967, Ed Richter, in consultation with the trust officer at the Continental Bank (now part of the Bank of America) decided to leave his entire estate in the two trusts, the income from which would be distributed to private colleges to support independent study projects and related travel.

Contact for More Information
Cecilia H. Solano, Associate Dean, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences 758-5741 email: solano@wfu.edu.

Application
Printable application:    Word     PDF