Wicked Smart

Honors Carolina students have a knack for winning national and international scholarships. In fact, Carolina has produced more Rhodes Scholars in the past 10 years than any other public university in the nation — and graduated more Luce Scholarship winners than any other university in the nation, public or private.

A Track Record of Distinction

Rhodes Scholarship: As the world’s oldest and most prestigious award for graduate study, the Rhodes Scholarship sends outstanding students from around the world to Oxford University. Carolina has produced nine Rhodes Scholars in the past five years, ranking behind only Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Princeton.

Luce Scholarship: Designed to enhance the understanding of Asia among future American leaders, the Luce Scholarship provides a year of living and learning in Asia following graduation. Carolina has produced a record 31 Luce Scholars, including four in the past five years.

Truman Scholarship: For those who want to make a difference in public service, the Truman Scholarship provides juniors with up to $30,000 in support for graduate studies. Carolina has produced 32 Truman Scholars, including four in the past five years.

Churchill Scholarship: A prestigious research-oriented scholarship worth nearly $50,000, the Churchill is awarded to students in the sciences, engineering or mathematics who wish to complete a master’s degree at Churchill College in the University of Cambridge. Carolina has produced three Churchill Scholars in the past three years.

Goldwater Scholarship: A distinguished award for sophomores and juniors, the Goldwater Scholarship is targeted to students pursuing careers in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering. Carolina has produced 39 Goldwater Scholars since 1989, including seven in the past five years.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships: The Gates Scholarships, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, are globally competitive awards that cover all of the costs for full-time graduate study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Chris Carter, Carolina’s Gates recipient for 2011, is a senior political science and history major who served as co-chair of the Honors Carolina Student Advisory Board.

Paul Shorkey, 2011 Rhodes Scholar

Honors Carolina student Paul Shorkey is the 47th Rhodes Scholar from Carolina − and the University’s 12th Rhodes Scholar in the last nine years. Shorkey will earn master’s degrees in psychology and neuroscience at the University of Oxford as he pursues his ultimate goal of becoming a clinical psychologist.

“The Honors Program at Carolina has given me the opportunity to interact with many of UNC’s incredible faculty members in a small classroom setting,” Shorkey says. “These working relationships have pushed me to think about the world’s most pressing issues, and have ultimately gotten me excited about seeking further education in my areas of interest.”