Clare Boothe Luce Scholars Program
Announcement of This Year's Scholar
The Computer Science Department is delighted to announce our first Clare Boothe Luce scholar, Emily Flynn ('14). Emily is a second-year student at Smith, with a double major in Computer Science and Biochemistry and a concentration in Biomathematical Sciences. She is interested in programming computational tools with biological applications and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Computational Biology or Bioinformatics.As a Clare Boothe Luce Scholar she plans to do computational geometry research on folding and unfolding and will be a tutor and mentor to other Smith College students in Computer Science.
Clare Boothe Luce Scholars Program
The Clare Boothe Luce Scholars Program, awards a deserving Computer Science major a full-tuition scholarship for 2 ½ years from the spring of her sophomore year through graduation, as well as a guaranteed research assistantship and other support. The Computer Science Department will be awarding a second scholarship to a student in the Class of 2015.
Eligibility
Students who are U.S. citizens and currently in their first year (i.e., Class of 2015), who will commit to majoring in Computer Science in the first semester of their sophomore year or earlier, are eligible. (The grant from the Henry Luce Foundation specifically requires Clare Boothe Luce (CBL) Scholars to be U.S. citizens, and specifies that the scholars' academic-year studies must take place in the U.S.). The award will be made to a sophomore (Class of 2015) starting Spring 2013. Students with an overall GPA of at least 3.3, and a GPA of at least 3.5 in Computer Science courses, have the best chances to be selected as a Luce scholar.
Application Process
Students in the class of 2015 may apply through September 30, 2012.
The application consists of an essay describing your aspirations and how you will further your plans, your (unofficial) academic transcript, and your resume, supplemented by three letters of recommendation. Each applicant will also be interviewed by at least one faculty member. The selection, by the entire faculty of Computer Science, will be based on proven academic excellence, commitment to a high-end career in computer science, and research and leadership potential.
The award will be announced in early November.The Clare Boothe Luce Program
Clare Boothe Luce was a U.S. Congresswoman, an Ambassador (to Italy), as well as a playwright and journalist. She promoted women tirelessly throughout her long life, and continues to do so through the philanthropic foundations she established. The Clare Boothe Luce Program, which funded the Computer Science Department's grant, "has become the single most significant source of private support for women in science, mathematics and engineering" [Wikipedia].
Research and Tutoring Positions
CBL scholars will have opportunities to be research assistants as well as tutors and peer mentors within the CS program for two (junior and senior) academic years. These academic year activities will result in a $2,200 stipend per academic year. In addition, CBL scholars will be offered two summer research experiences at the end of their sophomore and junior years ($3,800 each summer), though many students capitalize on their research experience to secure summer research positions in industry, at REU sites, etc., and the awardee is free to do so.Knowledge Dissemination
CBL Scholars will present their work both on campus during Celebrating Collaborations, an annual celebration of student research and performance, and in other venues as can be arranged. To increase visibility of computer science, the CBL scholars will present annually at the department's "Major Presentation" meeting. CBL Scholars will be invited by Smith College admissions officers to visit certain high schools to reach out to prospective CS students. CBL Scholars will have their expenses covered to attend at least one major discipline-specific conference with their mentor where they will have the opportunity to present their research and develop their own professional networks. Examples include the Grace Murray Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, the annual Consortium for Computing in Colleges (CCSCNE) conference, or other appropriate conferences.Constraints
CBL Scholars must remain eligible for each semester's tuition scholarship by maintaining their high scholastic standards. Scholarship funds may not be used for study outside of the United States. This includes Junior Year Abroad. CBL scholars interested in JYA are free to seek other funds for study abroad, during the academic year or the summer. Existing merit scholars will have their current award replaced with a CBL Scholarship (this includes Trustee Grants). Stride Scholars will be able to finish their current research project. The CBL Scholars Program is available to students intending to study at another U.S. institution only if that institution is part of an existing exchange agreement. Mellon Mays Fellows will receive only the Mellon Mays stipend. Students must have U.S. residency to apply for the CBL Scholars Program.Contact
Students may contact Judy Franklin, CBL Scholarship Facilitator, at<jfrankli@cs.smith.edu>.