Robertson program opens to freshmen

Four freshmen, two at UNC and two at Duke, will be invited this spring to join the Robertson Scholars Program for the remainder of their undergraduate experience.

Now in its 10th year, the program will open its entry to current UNC and Duke freshmen to create new avenues into the program, which directors see as a leadership development tool at both schools.

The move is unusual because most merit scholarship programs similar to the Robertson are designed as recruitment tools.

“Because we see ourselves as a leadership development program instead of a recruitment program, we want to open our opportunities to current undergraduates,” said Tony Brown, president of the Robertson Scholars Program.

The program seeks to increase collaboration between the two universities by offering full tuition, living stipends, laptop computers and access to numerous resources for a select group of students. This year, 29 new students enrolled as scholars.

Scholars spend most of their time on one campus, but live on the other campus during the second semester of their sophomore year. They are also required to take a certain number of hours on each campus.

The new freshman scholars will be funded by the same $24 million gift that started the program. They will be recognized as full scholars.

“We realize that there are phenomenal students at UNC and Duke who can benefit the program, and one of the main focuses for the applications will be on their adaptation to campus life and engagement during their first semester of college,” said Margi Strickland the program’s assistant director of external relations.

Freshman Robertson Scholar Caitlin Nettleton, who currently takes classes at UNC, said her class is excited to welcome and integrate the new students.

“We were kind of surprised at first because that hadn’t been an element before,” she said. “I have definitely seen a lot of people at Carolina who can rise to the challenge and would be a great addition to our community.”

Strickland said all freshmen are invited to apply and are welcome to attend interest meetings between Nov. 9 and Nov. 19.

“It is great that they are giving us the chance to apply and are looking at our experiences at UNC, because we definitely have more opportunity here,” said freshman Erin Walker, who said she is interested in applying.

Brown said the new change is open to revisions in the future as they learn from the experience and get feedback.

“It is very likely that the first-years will become a normal addition to the high school cohort, and that we may even increase the number of first-year scholars we invite, but we will have to see things work out this year,” Brown said.

“We do not know if we will get 100 applications, or 500, and we don’t know if it is going to work better, but we are eager to do it, learn from it, shape it, and make it even better,” he said.


Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.