From the Duke News Service

May 7, 2001

The Robertson Scholars Program, a new and innovative joint merit scholarship program at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has selected 30 of America's top high school seniors as its first recipients.

UNC Chancellor James Moeser and Duke President Nannerl O. Keohane Monday (May 7) announced the winners of the four-year scholarship.

"We at Carolina are pleased that the selection process for the first class of Robertson Scholars has so successfully produced such a talented group of students," Moeser said. "Their impressive accomplishments affirm the vision that Julian and Josie Robertson had to create this ground-breaking program. Now we eagerly await the Robertson Scholars' arrival in Chapel Hill and Durham next fall and the role they will play in bringing together two of America's finest universities."

Added Keohane, "We could not be more pleased with the students who've been selected as Robertson Scholars. We firmly believe this unique arrangement — which provides bright, committed students a chance to learn at two of the finest universities in the world — will prove to be a model in cooperation and collaboration. We can hardly wait for the far-sighted program that Julian and Josie Robertson envisioned to begin this fall."

Collaboration is a hallmark of the program, which is funded by a $24 million endowment gift from Julian and Josie Robertson announced last June. Students will come together for special seminars taught by faculty of both universities, study-abroad opportunities, internships, research projects, service-learning programs and a full semester in residence at the other campus. Incoming scholars will begin with a team-building retreat next fall.

The program provides full tuition, room and living stipends for the scholars chosen at UNC or full tuition at Duke, summer community-building and enrichment opportunities in the United States and abroad, support for research and related travel and top-of-the-line laptop computers for each scholar.

Half of the Robertson Scholars will matriculate at each campus — 15 at Duke and 15 at UNC. All of the students will take courses at both schools. Although the students will graduate from the universities they entered, each will receive certification that they received their education at both UNC and Duke.

Each campus has a Robertson Scholar Selection Committee that chose a total of 41 finalists from their university's top applicants campus wide for undergraduate admission. Eighty-two high school seniors visited both Duke and UNC in late March as part of a Robertson Finalist Weekend. Those students attended cultural and social events and were interviewed by a panel of four faculty and staff as part of a rigorous selection process, said Dr. Eric Mlyn, director of the Robertson Scholars program at UNC and Duke.

"It is a very special group of young people who make up the Robertson Scholars Class of 2005," Mlyn said. "They are more than just bright and inquisitive. They are young leaders with a conscience and sense of adventure. I have great anticipation for this fall, when the inaugural class of Robertson Scholars bring their skills and energy to our two campuses."

The 30 recipients come from high schools in 11 states, the District of Columbia as well as Norway and Hong Kong.

Julian Robertson, a New York investment manager who grew up in Salisbury, N.C., is a 1955 business administration graduate from UNC, and Josie Robertson is a member of Carolina's Board of Visitors. One of their three sons, Julian Spencer Robertson, graduated in 1998 from Duke and is a teacher in New York public schools. Another son, Alexander Tucker Robertson, is a senior at UNC. Julian Robertson is the founder and chairman of Tiger Management LLC, which was the world's largest hedge fund group.

2001-2002 Robertson Scholars

• Melissa K. Anderson (UNC), Charlotte, N.C.
  National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, third in her class, serves as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society.

• Robert Z. Beasley (UNC), Columbia, S.C.
  Selected as school representative to attend Boys State, served on High School Student Council and participated in an exchange program to West Africa.

• Philissa G. Cramer (UNC), Chapel Hill, N.C.
  Co-founder and president of high school chapter of Amnesty International, Beth-El synagogue Sunday School teacher, participant in North Carolina Governors' School, and second in her class.

• Rebecca S. Dann (Duke), Andover, Mass.
  Tutors Hispanic immigrants through Project VOICE and served as student coordinator for Breadloaf Writing workshops, an outreach program in her local community. Has been on the academic honor roll every term since winter of ninth grade.

• Randall T. Drain Jr. (Duke), Philadelphia, Pa.
  Attended Pennsylvania Governor's School for Teaching, recipient of the University of Pennsylvania Book Award and started "Operation Collective Effort" involving inner-city youth of Philadelphia.

• Samantha C. Fernandez (UNC), Raleigh, N.C.
  Active in the National Honor Society and has volunteered at Rex Hospital and Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit store that supports world artisans. Interned at the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, where she conducted research on estrogen.

• Blair S. Goldstein (UNC), Rocky Mount, N.C.
  Chosen as an International Baccalaureate student of the year in history and biology at her high school, currently a volunteer at My Sister's House, a shelter for battered women. Attended the Institute de Cultura in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

• Maital B. Guttman (Duke), Greensboro, NC
  Member of Teens Active in Greensboro Services, serves as senior class president at Grimsley and has been president and vice president of O. Henry Service Club. Also a member of the National Honor Society.

• Jennifer J. Hasvold (Duke), Rapid City, S.D.
  Serves as Secretary to the Lutheran Youth Organization, as a volunteer for the Oyate Center for Native-American children and President of Student Council.

• Rachel M. Heath (Duke), Durham, N.C.
  Graduated first in her class at C.E. Jordan High School. Has participated in mission work in Honduras and Washington, D.C.

• Anna D. Hoffius (Duke), Charleston, S.C.
  Graduated first in her class and served as class president of her high school, taught English as a second language and developed a volunteer tutor training program for Trident Literacy Services. After graduating from high school has worked full time for AmeriCorps.

• Milouska A Hoppenbrouwer (Duke), Washington, D.C.
  President of high school Student Council, completing International Baccalaureate diploma, first in her class, and has done community service work in Peru and Hungary.

• Ana L. Hurtado (Duke), Laredo, Texas
  Served as a volunteer for Literacy Volunteers of America; member of the National Honor Society.

• Heavenly D. Johnson (UNC), Ooltewah, Tenn.
  Recipient of President's Student Service Award, Bronze Medal winner in the regional Chemistry Olympiad and a member of the National Honor Society.

• Michaela J. Kerrissey (Duke), Sherborn, Mass.
  Earned an Honor Society Merit Award, served as president of student government and did extensive community service in Boston, Kansas and Appalachia.

• Kavitha P. Kolappa (UNC), Washington, N.C.
  Founder and president of CUT (Culturally United Team), served as a special projects volunteer at Beaufort County Hospital, which was recognized for her work by the North Carolina Society of Directors of Volunteer Services. Conducted research at a genetics research lab at Duke.

• Tyler H. McCormick (Duke), Brown Summit, N.C.
  First in his class, winner of the 2000 Jefferson Award, sponsored by the American Institute for Public Service, and the North Carolina Governor's Award for Community Service.

• Rebecca C. O'Doherty (UNC), Floral Park, N.Y.
  District chair for Model United Nations, advanced student in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and participated in Amigos Del Las Americas in Nicaragua.

• Dorothy C. Owen (Duke), Montpelier, Vt.
  First in her class, active at a state and local level in service focusing on the health and well-being of teen-age girls.

• Christopher J. Paul (Duke), Chapel Hill, N.C.
  Served as a research intern at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke, founded the environmental organization SEEDS at the science and math school.

• Brittain M. Peck (UNC), Greensboro, N.C.
  Winner of Page's Hazel Eskridge Best All-Around Student Award and National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.

• Sarah E. Pickle (UNC), Temple, Texas
  Founder and president of Temple's chapter of Amnesty International, executive editor of a literary arts magazine and nominee for the National Council of Teachers of English Writing Award.

• Johanna C. Rankin (UNC), Gastonia, N.C.
  First in her class, is a frequent volunteer at the Raptor Center and led an effort to tutor students of English as a second language.

• Che J. Ramos (UNC), Brooklyn, NY
  Participated in the Princeton Model Congress delegation, studied French language and culture in the American University of Paris and led diversity awareness groups at Packer.

• Crystal R. Sanders (Duke), Clayton, N.C.
  First in her class and president of Student Council, serves as president of the Student Youth Council and active in Youth Legislative Assembly.

• Christopher E. Scoville (Duke), Flekke, Norway
  Will earn International Baccalareate degree from Red Cross United World College, active in Amnesty International and Child Outreach, an outdoor program for Norweigan children.

• Elisabeth C. Stratton (UNC), Greenbelt, Md.
  Co-founder and counselor of Camp Eris, participates in the Science and Technology Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has served as a sign language interpreter in many settings.

• Rachel Thompson (UNC), Washington, DC
  Chief editor of Groton yearbook, received honors all terms, selected to attend the Massachusetts Poetry Festival and Served as a student delegate to the National Association of Independent School's People of Color Conference.

• Ann C. Warshaw (UNC), Cincinnati, Ohio
  Served as a volunteer for Wyoming Youth Services Bureau, editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper and a leader for Amnesty International.

• Pauline H.Y. Wong (Duke), Kowloon, Hong Kong
  Led a service trip to Inner Mongolia and has taught English to deaf children.

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