Winston Churchill Scholarship

There aren’t many students who can claim to have studied at a college that counts Stephen Hawking among the faculty members in its physics department—but next year, Byron Drury ’08 will become one of these privileged few. Drury is one of only 12 students in the United States—and the only Haverford student in the College’s history—to receive a prestigious Winston Churchill Scholarship, which provides for a year’s worth of study at Churchill College, one of the University of Cambridge’s schools in the United Kingdom. Administered by the Winston Churchill Foundation, the scholarship was created when the former Prime Minister approached American friends to create a mechanism for young Americans to study at his eponymous college. The first scholarships were awarded in 1963; they recognize students with exceptional academic records and the ability to contribute to advancements in science.

Beyond the Classroom

Haverford students are ambitious, idiosyncratic, and serious about making the most out of their educational experience. Whether they remain on campus or travel to a far-off country, our students take advantage of the many non-traditional learning opportunities Haverford offers. Our commitment to social justice, community engagement and the pursuit of unique intellectual experiences is evidenced by the number of students who take their education beyond the classroom.

Internships

Haverford sponsors a wide array of internships, the majority of which are available only to Haverford students. Internships often take place during the summer, and are great ways for students to gain career experience and apply their skills and knowledge to various communities. Among the many offerings are: The Center for Peace and Global Citizenship’s Senior Bridge Internship, an opportunity for seniors to investigate issues of peace, social justice, and/or environmental sustainability following their graduation from Haverford; The Gertrude Albert Heller Memorial Grant, which encourages students to work with individuals with developmental disabilities/neurological disorders in direct care; Summer Serve, an organization that provides stipends to two students involved in public interest projects in the Philadelphia area; and The Andrew Silk Summer Journalism Internship, which supports a summer internship in print or broadcast journalism.

Summer Research

Over the summer, around 75 students do original research with faculty in the seven departments (astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics and psychology) of the Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center. Many of their projects result in publication in scientific journals or in presentations at professional conferences. However, all students gain from the experience of becoming a part of a research team, learning how to communicate their findings and getting invaluable hands-on experience in how scientific research is actually done.

Experimental College

Experimental College (ExCo) is a program of student-run, not-for-credit courses that connects people who share diverse interests outside the classroom. Students, faculty, and staff run ExCo classes for members of the Haverford community. Course topics have included Beginning Ceramics (taught by an alum), Roman Baroque Art, and The History of Punk Rock and the Role of Punk Rock in Contemporary Western Society, both taught by undergraduates.

Career Development Office

Haverford’s Career Development Office is an excellent resource for information on internships and Haverford’s Extern Program. The Extern Program connects current students with alums whose professions are of interest to the student. During a winter or spring break, students spend several days or weeks shadowing the alum in the workplace, as they begin to explore potential career options.