Fenwick Scholar Program
The Fenwick Scholar Program provides one of the highest academic honors the College bestows. From among third-year students nominated by their major departments, the Fenwick Selection Committee, which includes the President of the College, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, selects the student(s) most worthy of this unique academic honor.
The Fenwick Scholar designs, with one or more advisors, a program of independent research or a project comprising their entire curriculum for the senior year. Scholars are expected to complete their project in the most challenging, creative, and meaningful way. Past Fenwick Scholars—whose projects have included: a study of the psychopathology of depression; text and music in Balinese Shadow Theater; the development of embedding diagrams for General Relativity; and influences on reading instruction in Massachusetts Public Schools—have described the program as "life-changing."
At the end of the year, the Fenwick Scholar is required to deliver a public presentation to the College community, and to present a record of this achievement to the College library.