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Morehead-Cain Scholarship

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Morehead-Cain Scholarship
Awarded forMerit-based to high school seniors
DescriptionFull scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Sponsored byMorehead Cain Foundation
LocationChapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
Formerly calledMorehead Scholarship
Established1951
Websitewww.moreheadcain.org

The Morehead-Cain Scholarship (originally the Morehead Scholarship) was the first merit scholarship program established in the United States.[1][2] It was founded at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1951 and was named for its benefactors, John Motley Morehead III and the Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation.[2]

In addition to covering all expenses for four years of undergraduate education at UNC, the scholarship also includes fully funded summer enrichment activities and funding for independent research, internships, and international study.[1][3][4] Mary Cain, who donated $100 million to the program in 2007, called it "the gold standard in undergraduate educational opportunities."[5]

History

In 1945 businessman, industrial scientist, and philanthropist John Motley Morehead III bequeathed $130 million to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) to create the John Motley Morehead Foundation and the university's planetarium.[2] The Morehead Foundation created the Morehead Scholarship Program in 1951.[2] This was the first nonathletic merit scholarship program in the United States.[2][1] This undergraduate scholarship covers all expenses for four years of study at UNC.[1] Morehead-Cain scholars can also access " a network of peers and mentors, challenging internships and summer experiences, and an opportunity to travel the world."[6] The scholarship was designed to attract "gifted student leaders" from across North Carolina to the university.[2]

The Morehead Scholarship's first director was Robert Fetzer, a former UNC track coach and athletic director.[2] In 1958, he was replaced by Roy Armstrong, former director of admissions at the university.[2] In 1972, Mebane M. Pritchett, a Morehead alumnus, became the executive director and served until 1987.[2] Charles E. Lovelace Jr., another Morehead alumnus, was the next president.[2] The current president is Chris Bradford.[7]

Originally just for students from North Carolina, the program expanded to include students from across the United States in 1954.[2] In 1968, the first Morehead scholar from Great Britain was selected, followed by the inclusion of women in 1974.[2] The program now includes students from Canada and various other countries.[2] In 2022, the incoming freshman class of Morehead-Cain scholars includes 75 students—41 scholars from North Carolina, 34 from other states, and ten international scholars from Canada, India, South Sudan, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.[6]

The foundation and scholarship were both renamed Morehead-Cain in 2007 after the Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation contributed $100 million to expand the program.[5] Mary Cain gave this gift in honor of her husband Gordan, who was a major stockholder in Union Carbide and helped found Texas Petrochemicals.[5] Before her gift, the Morehead Foundation had $115 million.[5]

Selection process

When the scholarship program started, high school seniors were nominated by their high school administrators.[2] By the 2000s, students could also apply directly for the scholarship.[2] In addition, the UNC admissions office also nominates potential candidates for the scholarship.[2]

The selection process is extremely rigorous and intensely competitive.[2] There are several rounds of interviews and activities.[4] Annually, there are around 2,000 applicants; only three percent of each year's nominees are selected.[1][4] The criteria for selection are character, leadership, physical vigor, and scholarship.[1] Around 50 to 75 scholarships are offered each year, with about 200 Morehead scholars on campus at any one time.[2][6]

Summer Enrichment Program

Starting in 1974, the scholarship began providing opportunities for international travel and internships through the Morehead Summer Enrichment Program.[2] The program is now structured across four summers and fully funds activities in four areas: a three-week outdoor leadership course, research or travel across five to twelve weeks to provide a global perspective, professional experience through an internship, and working on a community's challenges for eight to ten weeks to gain an understanding of citizenship and civic collaboration.[8]

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Spach, Brooke (November 2, 2021). "Morehead-Cain Scholars Share Their Experiences". Chapel Hill Magazine. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Pini, Amy Curtin (2006). "Morehead Foundation". NCpedia. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  3. ^ "UNC's Morehead-Cain Scholars study Smart City innovation in Chattanooga". The Enterprise Center. June 23, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Murphy, Mary Kate (February 22, 2022). "Students Reach Final Rounds of Elite Morehead, Park Scholarship Programs". The Pilot Newspaper. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d "John Motley Morehead Foundation Receives $100 Million From Cain Foundation". Philanthropy News Digest. February 16, 2007.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "BHS senior awarded Morehead-Cain scholarship". The Transylvania Times. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  7. ^ "Our Team | Morehead-Cain". September 7, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "The Summer Enrichment Program". The Morehead-Cain Foundation. Archived from the original on December 29, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Alumni | Morehead-Cain". September 7, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  10. ^ "North Carolina Supreme Court Justices - Chief Justice James Gooden Exum, Jr". www.carolana.com. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  11. ^ "Alan Murray '77 of Fortune on political polarization, growing revenue streams in media, & the future of work | Morehead-Cain". January 19, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  12. ^ Candice - Survivor Cast Member, retrieved May 21, 2022
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