Qualified candidates will demonstrate extensive engagement, passion and participation in her/his local community. Examples of social activism and civic engagement include, but are not limited to: volunteer work, service-learning activities/projects, neighborhood or community collaboration, political campaign work, local and national mission trips, etc.

Students interested in applying for this scholarship must provide the following information:

• Application cover page
• Resume demonstrating extensive engagement, passion and participation in their local communities. Please provide estimations of your time commitment toward your activities, such as hours/week, weeks/year, number of years, etc.
• An essay, consisting of no more than 500-750 words, in which you elaborate on both of the following essay questions:
  • How has being civically engaged benefited your community? How has it benefited you?
  • Social change doesn't come easily. Please tell us what challenges you've faced in your work with the community. What personal, logistical, resource or other constraints and difficulties have you had to overcome, and how did you do so?
• Letter of Recommendation from a person closely involved with your efforts(Examples: teacher, pastor, club advisor, etc. No parent recommendations.)

Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss opportunities available for civic engagement. Recipients are expected to be involved in the Kalamazoo community for at least one academic term per year (except during Study Abroad).

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Qualified candidates will demonstrate outstanding talent/accomplishments, in an area of creative expression, that include, but are not limited to: vocal/instrumental music, theatre arts, photography, studio arts, creative writing, or film.

Students interested in applying for this scholarship must provide information specific to the area in which they are applying. Students are welcome to submit materials in more than one area.

Please pay very close attention to the requirements for each area as incomplete applications will NOT be considered.  We encourage you to ask questions if you need clarification! 

Application cover page must be completed by each student.
Music

• A current resume of music study, teachers, ensembles, competitions, awards, and other evidence of artistic leadership.
• A letter of recommendation from two music teachers describing your commitment to developing your musical abilities.
• An essay, 500-750 words, addressing how you plan to pursue your musical interest in a liberal arts college setting.
• Audio or video (CD, DVD, YouTube link, etc.) of two to three works which best illustrates the breadth and quality of your technical and artistic achievements.
• Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss musical opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to participate in an ensemble related to your scholarship for at least two academic terms per year.

Visual Arts: Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Photography

• Portfolio ~ 10 to 20 images on CD: maximum size 7” by 9” at 150 dpi
• Image List ~ titles and specifications of images/pieces on CD
• Resume ~ list of accomplishments and involvements
• One letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and your work well.
• An essay, 500-750 words, addressing how you plan to pursue your artistic interests in a liberal arts college setting.
• Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss artistic opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to be involved in the artistic community on campus for at least one academic term per year.

Video/Interdisciplinary: Documentary or experimental video, performance art, musical theater, etc.

• DVD or CD ~ as needed to document past work; applicant's role should be clearly specified (writer, director, etc.)
• Resume ~ list of accomplishments and involvements
• One letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and your work well.
• An essay, 500-750 words, addressing how you plan to pursue your artistic interests in a liberal arts college setting.
• Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss artistic opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to be involved within the greater artistic community on campus for at least one academic term per year.

Creative Writing:

• Collection of writing ~ please submit four to six poems or eight to fifteen pages of prose (fiction or creative nonfiction), or a combination of eight to fifteen pages of poetry and prose.
• One letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and your work well.
• Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss writing/literary opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to be involved within the writing community on campus for at least one academic term per year.

Theatre Arts

• A current resume listing all activities you have participated in related to theatre, dance, music or art.
• One letter of recommendation from a theatre director or drama teacher.
• Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss theatrical opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to be involved in the theatrical/theatre community on campus for at least two academic terms per year.
• Submit the requirements specified below for Performance and/or Design/Technical.
  • Performance (Acting/Directing)
    • DVD of a memorized performance of two contrasting monologues. The total time of both monologues together must not exceed four minutes. Time your pieces!
    • Introduce your pieces only by giving the name of your character, play, and author. (EXAMPLE: “Hello, my name is Ellen Barker. Today I will be performing Betty from Vinegar Tom by Caryl Churchill. And Viola from Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.”) Please do not give any other information about the character or the plot of the play.
    • Choose single character monologues. Refrain from impersonating several characters talking with each other. Also, do not choose a piece that requires a dialect.
    • Try to find a character within your own range (age, personality, type, etc). It's best to do a character from a play, rather than a screenplay for film or television. Make sure you make EVERY effort to read the whole play if your piece is from a book of monologues. Select monologues that you personally find exciting. They should be pieces you LOVE to do! Definitely have an acting teacher or drama coach help and evaluate your pieces before submitting your work.
  • Design/Technical:
    • Portfolio of artwork; scenic, lighting or costume designs; and/or technical projects, which may include photos, poster designs, renderings, draftings and models.
    • You may also perform the two monologues (details above) if you wish.

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Qualified candidates will demonstrate passion, sustained commitment and accomplishments in the areas of intercultural understanding, international awareness/activism, international policy and/or global issues.

Students interested in applying for this scholarship must provide the following information:

• Application cover page
• Resume demonstrating passion, sustained commitment and accomplishments in the areas of intercultural understanding, international awareness/activism, international policy and/or global issues. Please provide estimations of your time commitment toward your activities, such as hours/week, weeks/year, number of years, etc.
• An essay, consisting of no more than 500-750 words, in which you elaborate on two or more of the following essay questions:
  • What do you consider to be an important global issue and why?
  • What is the connection between this issue and how it may affect your own community?
  • How has your work on international issues influenced your intercultural understanding of both your own culture and other cultures you have encountered?
• Letter of Recommendation from a person closely involved with your efforts (Examples: teacher, pastor, club advisor, etc. No parent recommendations.)

Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss international involvement opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to be involved in the "K" international community or to work with international issues for at least one academic term per year.

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Qualified candidates will demonstrate passion and accomplishments in the area of sustainability, the local food movement/local food advocacy, promoting environmental awareness and/or environmentally friendly policies.

Students interested in applying for this scholarship must provide the following information:

• Application cover page
• Resume demonstrating passion, sustained commitment and accomplishments in the areas of sustainability, promoting environmental awareness or environmentally friendly policy. Please provide estimations of your time commitment toward your activities, such as hours/week, weeks/year, number of years, etc.
• An essay, consisting of no more than 500-750 words, in which you elaborate on at least two of the following essay questions:
  • How have you been involved in the environmental movement? Where do you feel you have made the largest impact, or been the most successful, in your endeavors?
  • Is there anything that you wish you could have accomplished? What obstacles did you face?
  • What sustainability practices do you want to bring to the college community?
• Letter of Recommendation from a person closely involved with your efforts (Examples: teacher, pastor, club advisor, etc. No parent recommendations.)

Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss environmental/sustainability opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to be involved in one of the environmental, sustainability, or local food movement organizations on campus for at least one academic term per year.

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