THE QUESTION SCHOLARSHIP
Students who ask the right question at the University of Richmond can receive one year of free tuition and room and board. That's worth $23,000.
It's part of the "Richmond Quest" program at the university. President William E. Cooper has asked students, faculty and staff at the University of Richmond to develop a question that is so complex and multi-dimensional that it generates a year of meaningful discussion and debate to answer at the campus.
"Like people at most universities, we pursue a kaleidoscope of academic and cultural activities each day," says Dr. Cooper. "There may be great value to our university academic community in choosing and considering a broad, deep, and provocative question for a year-long discussion."
The award for asking the question chosen as the topic? For a student it will mean a full scholarship for one year; for a student group, the award is $10,000 for a university program; faculty will win a summer research grant; and staff will be able to attain $2,500 for a university program.
"The winning question will lend itself to investigation by each of our major schools--Arts and Sciences, Business, Continuing Studies; Law and Leadership Studies. We will consider the question in coursework, research and co-curricular activities," says Dr. Cooper. "The question should be of major significance, such that even partial answers might lead to pioneering discoveries and insights. The best question will guide the selection of reading and events that will enrich the university's shared conversation for the following academic year."
Submissions are due January 31, 1999. Richmond's key question will be announced in April 1999 for year-long study starting January 2000. Members of the Planning and Priorities Committee will review the submission and recommend winners who will receive the awards, which are funded by the president's office.
Only one question will be identified for study from submission in all categories. However, an award will be granted in each category unless the committee determines that no sufficiently insightful question was submitted in that category.
Coming up with the best question is only part of the "Richmond Quest" project. The student who comes up with the best answer also gets full tuition for one year; for a student group, the award is $10,000 for a university program; faculty will win a summer research grant; and staff will be able to attain $2,500 for a university program.
A detailed letter and a question submission form have already been mailed to the campus community.
Editors: If you want more information on "Richmond Quest," feel free to contact Randy Fitzgerald, UR's director of public relations, at 804-289-8058.
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