The purpose of the Calhoun Honors College Educational Enrichment Awards is to provide life-changing educational experiences outside the classroom. These experiences may be internships, foreign study, public service projects, or other significant undertakings that are consistent with the student's educational, career and/or personal goals. In keeping with the spirit and objectives of Clemson University's "Ten-Year Goals," priority will be given to proposals that, in the judgment of the review committee, show promise for contributing to a strong and potentially successful application for an extramural fellowship. Such fellowships include, but are not limited to, the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Mitchell, Goldwater and Udall scholarships, and Fulbright Grants.
The awards support activities and experiences that require and will take place during a full summer. Proposals for experiences requiring a semester for completion may be considered. Awards are not made for fall-, spring- or mid-year break periods. Normally, awards are made up to $3,000. Proposals above this amount may be considered. Awards may support travel, subsistence and other needs as deemed legitimate by the review committee. If equipment items are requested, the proposal must justify the need and purpose. Non-perishable items become the property of the Calhoun Honors College upon completion of the project or activity.
It is expected that the enrichment will take place away from the Clemson University campus. Applications for overseas experiences are especially encouraged. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate commitment of financial support from other sources, including personal funds. Upon completion of the experience and return to campus, the student will be expected to provide a written report and make a public presentation on his or her experiences.
Applicants must be members of the Calhoun Honors College with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA at the time the EEA is awarded and have at least one full academic year remaining on their undergraduate degree after completing the proposed enrichment experience.
Educational Enrichement Award Application
Examples of Awards
Brian Eyink, “Campaign 2004”
Brian, an Economics major, spent the summer of 2004 at a seminar held by the Washington Center for Internships in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention in Boston, MA. Led by professors, campaign professionals, policy experts, media experts, journalists, corporate representatives and party leaders, this seminar was designed to give those participating a unique understanding of politics, including political campaigns and party organization. The second week of the seminar found Brian at the convention itself, often behind the scenes analyzing what happened the day before, but also directly on the floor of the convention to hear speeches and presentations. Brian is now enrolled at the Duke University College of Law.
Christen Smith, “Informing Programmatic Solutions to HIV/AIDS in Africa”
Christen interned in Washington D.C. with the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Africa’s Health Team where she analyzed data and drafted policy to improve HIV/AIDS intervention programs in Africa. A Public Health Science major, Christen was named a Truman Scholarship Finalist and a Rhodes Scholarship Finalist before graduating from Clemson in May 2007. Christen is currently serving in the Peace Corps prior to attending graduate school.
Casey Hancock, “Conservation of the H.L. Hunley”
In August 2000, the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in battle was recovered off the coast of South Carolina, having lain on the ocean floor for 136 years. Casey, a Polymer and Textile Chemistry major, was awarded an EEA to be part of an international team of scientists currently studying the H.L. Hunley and its artifacts. The team includes researchers from the Smithsonian Institution, France’s Cold Plasma Research Laboratory and the Western Australia Maritime Museum. Casey’s role in the project involved exploring methods to prevent further erosion of the vessel.
Robert Clarke, “Shedding Synchroton Light on Solid State Physics”
Robert, a double major in Physics and Electrical Engineering, traveled to Trieste, Italy where he had the opportunity to work in the Elettra Synchroton Light Laboratory. Robert has been awarded the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. He is working on a Ph.D. in Physics at UC Berkeley.
Sagar Shah, “Reaching Orphaned Children in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa”
Sagar’s EEA helped support a four-week service opportunity in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Region, South Africa at AGAPE, an orphanage for children of AIDS victims through Africa’s Children Lean on Me Program. Sagar, a Biological Sciences major, helped plan activities and events for the children to nourish and improve their social and educational skills. Sagar applied for Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. A recipient of an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Sagar is pursuing a Ph.D. in Bioengineering at Johns Hopkins.
Nichole Bennett, “Protecting the Home Front: Investigating Fire Ants in Argentina”
During the summer of 2007, Nichole served as a field/laboratory research assistant with internationally-recognized entomologists Juan Briano and Luis Calcaterra at the USDA Agriculture Research Service South American Biological Control Lab in Buenos Aires. She conducted research on natural predators of fire ants, working to develop self-sustaining and biologically-managed methods of controlling fire ant infestations. Nichole was a Clemson nominee for the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.