Honors Carolina is pleased to announce the relaunch of the William D. Weir Honors Fellowship in Asian Studies. For the first time since 2023, two University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students have been selected as recipients of the 2027 fellowship, which supports students in advancing their Chinese language proficiency and deepening their cultural understanding to help bridge linguistic and cultural divides between the United States and China. Honors Carolina is excited to renew this long-standing program and provide students with transformative opportunities to strengthen their language skills, engage with new cultural perspectives, develop their careers, and foster meaningful connections.
Selected Carolina undergraduates are awarded a unique opportunity to develop their language skills in Beijing and gain practical, independent work experience using their language skills in Taiwan. The fellowship is open to all UNC Chapel Hill undergraduates with at least three semesters in residence, a 3.2 GPA or higher, and at least three semesters of Chinese language.
The Fellowship covers most of the program expenses, including CET program fees, airfare, housing, textbooks, excursions, and medical insurance. Students contribute the equivalent of UNC tuition for one semester and cover their food and personal expenses.
Noa Shafeek-Horton and Sara Tingle, both class of 2029 join a distinguished group of UNC students and alumni who have received the prestigious Weir Fellowship over its 30 year history. As part of the 2027 program, the fellows will spend the spring semester studying at Capital Normal University in Beijing through CET Beijing before traveling to Taipei, Taiwan, for intensive summer language study through CET Taiwan at National Taiwan University. Alongside their coursework, fellows will complete internships tailored to their individual interests, applying their developing language skills in professional settings. Internship opportunities span a wide range of fields, including business, the arts, journalism, and health and human services.
Noa Shafeek-Horton, a second-year student from Charlotte, North Carolina, is majoring in Asian studies with a concentration in Chinese and environmental studies on the sustainability track, and hopes to pursue a minor in marine science. Noa aspires to strengthen US-China relationships and foster collaboration on environmental issues. Through studying Chinese language and culture, Noa hopes to better understand the cultural similarities and differences between the two countries and identify opportunities for collaboration. Having studied Chinese since kindergarten, Noa sees the Weir Fellowship as an opportunity to strengthen her language skills through immersion and gain confidence in using Chinese in a professional setting. Outside of academics, she enjoys upcycling through crafting and is even training for her first half-Ironman.
Sara Tingle, a second-year student from Charlotte, North Carolina, is majoring in Asian studies with a concentration in Chinese and Hispanic linguistics, and minoring in mathematics. Sara is passionate about connecting with people and communities who share her commitment to making a positive difference in the world. She is eager to develop her Chinese language skills and explore the cultures and communities connected to Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese traditions. Sara also hopes to deepen her understanding of how language and culture shape societies. Outside the classroom, she enjoys weightlifting, reading poetry, and playing the guitar. Above all, Sara cherishes spending quality time with loved ones.
The William D. Weir Honors Fellowship in Asian Studies was established in 1995 by Peter Boneparth ’80 and Heather Weir Boneparth ’80 in memory of Heather’s late father, William Donald Weir. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Mr. Weir spent much of his career working with defence contractors and consulting for the Pentagon before joining the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Service Reserve Officer. He served as an expert on U.S. naval expenditures for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency during the SALT–START arms control negotiations. The fellowship was inspired by Peter Boneparth’s experience as CEO of Jones Apparel Group, where he recognized the importance of Chinese language proficiency in building lasting business relationships with partners in China. He came to believe that sustainable, long-term cooperation between the United States and China depends on more Americans developing a deep understanding of Chinese language and culture through firsthand immersion. The fellowship was established to advance this vision by providing students with opportunities to strengthen their language skills, engage meaningfully with Chinese culture, and build connections across borders.
Read more about the Weir Fellowships on the program’s website.
Weir Honors Fellowships in Asian Studies contact: Gina Difino, (919) 962-9680, Gina_Difino@unc.edu
Communications and Public Affairs: (919) 445-8555, mediarelations@unc.edu
