Messenger - Vol. 3, No. 4, Page 15 Summer 1994 University adds Alison Scholars program In the fall of 1743, Francis Alison, a highly respected scholar of the day, founded New London Academy, regarded as the forerunner of the University of Delaware. In the first term, he taught about a dozen boys in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, as well as practically all branches then known of the arts and sciences. These and later students went on to become governors, congressmen, signers of the Declaration of Independence and of the Constitution, doctors, merchants and scholars of reputation. Last fall, 17 freshmen carried on that tradition when they entered the University as the first group of Alison Scholars. Through the application process for the Honors Program and scholarships, several students were identified who, like Alison and his students, showed strong interests and abilities in the arts, humanities and social sciences. As a way to attract them to the University and show its commitment to academic excellence, they were invited to participate in the Alison Scholars Program. Alison Scholars benefit from the program in several ways. Coursework and extracurricular activities are designed specifically to help them hone their skills in reasoning, analysis, speaking and debating. In addition, the program increases their awareness of current issues in literature, the arts, science, politics and international affairs. The students also receive early exposure to opportunities that will enrich their education, such as undergraduate research, study abroad, community service and internships, as well as early counseling about preparation for graduate or professional school. Alison scholars are allowed greater freedom and flexibility in fulfilling their general education requirements and designing their own curricula. To design a more intellectual and challenging course of study, they receive academic advisement from faculty advisers in their respective majors, as well as from program adviser Robert F. Brown, director of the University Honors Program and professor of philosophy. Last fall, Brown taught the Alison Scholars Forum, a one-credit course that met one evening each week. As part of the course, the group attended a concert, a musical and several plays, interacted with guest speakers, discussed and debated different topics, met with upperclass students to learn about the opportunities available to them at Delaware and had social gatherings. During the spring, they were involved in similar activities but not in a structured course format. The freshmen who accepted this special status had to write a letter explaining how they hoped to benefit from the opportunity. They entered the College of Arts and Science with a variety of majors in the liberal arts, social sciences and sciences, along with some undeclared. But they all had high ability in the humanities and social sciences and broad intellectual and cultural interests. Sophomore Erin Dorsch, who is undeclared, said the program has shown her many of the opportunities the University has to offer and how to take advantage of them. She said the course was good because she "met new people and made new friends. Everyone has a different way of looking at things, which makes discussion interesting." The scholars are so enthusiastic about the program that they met in February to critique their experience and offer suggestions for the new group of Alisons entering the University this fall. They say they look forward to being friends and mentors to the new group members. In addition, they have been planning a special three-credit course of their own, to be offered on an optional basis to themselves, as second- year Alison Scholars. Amy Schiess, a sophomore in international relations, said they are developing a philosophy course. "We decided to read about Plato and other people who some of us wouldn't normally read. Some of the people in the group are science majors and probably wouldn't take a philosophy course," Schiess explained. She said she looks forward to the class because of the group's diversity of ideas. Because the program is so new, Brown said it is difficult to tell the students what will happen in coming years. The details are being created as they go. Brown pointed out that, eventually, there will be Alisons in all four class years at the University. Scholars from different classes will be able to interact with each other, and the group will be large enough to sustain a variety of special Alison courses and enrichment opportunities every year. Brown said the program has two purposes: To attract promising, high-ability students in the humanities and social sciences and to prepare students for graduate scholarships, awards and other recognition. By making the students aware of their resources and challenging their personal development, he said, the University hopes to help them become more articulate speakers, better readers and writers and more analytical thinkers. The goal is to groom future Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Mellon and Fulbright scholars. The full effects of the new program will not be seen for a few more years, when the Alisons reach the graduate level. However, according to Brown, judging by the enthusiasm of the first group, the program has already had an impact. The program "makes you question the purpose of an education and how to get the most out of it," Dorsch said. -Gina Poltrok, Delaware '94