Intercollegiate Studies Institute - Programs

ISI has established the William E. Simon Fellowship for Noble Purpose to recognize graduating college seniors who are pursuing lives dedicated to and distinguished by honor, generosity, service, and respect. The fellowship is named for William E. Simon.

The William E. Simon Fellowship is funded by the John Templeton Foundation, created by renowned investor, Sir John Templeton to encourage a fresh appreciation of the importance of the moral and spiritual dimensions of life for all peoples and cultures.

The Fellowship:
The Simon Fellowship is a $40,000 unrestricted cash grant awarded to those graduating college seniors who have demonstrated passion, dedication, a high capacity for self-direction, and originality in pursuit of a goal that will strengthen civil society. In addition, two $5,000 cash awards are made to two other outstanding students.

Application Evaluation:
Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the mature conception of and passion for what they hope to accomplish as well as their academic records, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications should be postmarked by February 15, 2009.

Simon Fellowship
Intercollegiate Studies Institute
3901 Centerville Road
P.O. Box 4431
Wilmington, DE 19807-0431

Past Simon Fellowship Winners

Rebekah Emanuel (Yale University, '07) seeks to address simultaneously some of the pressing medical, spiritual, and economic needs of Ugandans by fostering grassroots innovation in that African country's healthcare system. Rebekah, with the help of the Ugandan medical profession will foster a caregiver-to-employed-aide program to create a low-technology health care service sector that can provide at least some families with a path out of the cycle of poverty and disease.

Catherine Herman (University of Notre Dame, '06): Inspired by the principles of community and citizen initiative, Catherine plans to create an innovative home for the elderly in her native New York City. The residence will serve as a space for cooperative living supported with professional and medical services.

George Srour (College of William and Mary, '05): Awarded for his outstanding work with HIV-positive children in Kampala, Uganda, George founded Building Tomorrow, a nationwide initiative empowering college students to raise funds to benefit orphans in and around the Ugandan capital city.

Jordan Hylden (Harvard University, '06): Jordan is the founding editor of Harvard University's first undergraduate journal of contemporary Christian thought, Ichthus. He will create a network of similar such journals on college campuses nationwide.

Cassandra DeBenedetto (Princeton University, '07) plans to launch an intercollegiate project to advance the values of marriage, family, and faithful love among today's young people, called the Love and Fidelity Network. Cassy now plans to work with students nationwide to establish societies on their campuses which pay tribute to the values and commitments of university students who wish to defend family, marriage, and chastity through discussion and respectful debate with those who hold opposing views.

Jason Buck (Franciscan University of Steubenville, '07) founded the non-profit, Culture of Life, Inc., while still in high school. This fall Jason will continue his efforts to bring the pro-life message to youth-oriented media, and he will develop a "Culture of Life ToolBox," an online community networking pro-life advocates nationally.

Margaret Mosher (Franciscan University of Steubenville, '05): Margaret began her life of service at age six while working on a Navajo reservation with Mother Teresa in Chichiltah, New Mexico. She continues to serve others as a special education teacher at a grade school in Kansas City.

Elizabeth Ashamu (Yale University, '06): Recognized for her work recording the social histories of Southern Sudanese communities affected by genocide, Elizabeth will spend a year in Kigali, Rwanda, with Africa Rights, a London-based human rights organization. From there she will return to Southern Sudan to record personal accounts of refugees.

Scott Erwin (University of Richmond, '05): In 2003, Scott established the Ambassadors of Democracy to teach the rule of law and democracy in Iraq. Currently, the Ambassadors have chapters in Russia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United States.