Purpose of the Scholarship

To award scholarship money to eligible, selected Central Wyoming College students who communicate their ultimate beliefs to the college community. The goal is for students to share their worldview, that is, their personal way of interpreting all of life and reality. For most individuals that means expressing their religious beliefs. However, the scholarship welcomes applicants whether their beliefs are characterized as religious or non-religious.

Applicant Eligibility

1. Attendance and GPA. Scholarship applicants must have two semesters of attendance at CWC with a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.

2. Sign CWC Statements. Applicants must review, agree to, and sign a copy of the five written Statements of Central Wyoming College: the Mission, Vision, Goals, Ends and Institutional Values Statements.

3. Essay. Applicants must write a typed essay of 500-1000 words with a) a summary of their worldview or ultimate beliefs, b) a response to the statement, “Why I want to share my beliefs”, and c) a response to the statement, “How I treat people who disagree with my beliefs”.

4. Recommendation. Applicants must provide a recommendation written and signed by a mentor, member of the clergy, spiritual leader, or CWC faculty/staff member, explaining how the student (if selected) and the CWC community will benefit from the student’s presentation of his or her beliefs.

5. Private Oral Presentation. The Selection Committee will determine which applicants are selected as finalists. Each finalist will deliver an oral presentation privately before the committee, where the student will explain his or her ultimate beliefs, why the student wishes to communicate them to the college community, and how the student treats people who disagree with their ultimate beliefs.

6. Full Time. Students selected for the scholarship must be enrolled full time (12 credit hours) at the time of their public oral presentation.

Selection of Recipients

A Selection Committee designated by the sponsor will review applications and determine which applicants are chosen as finalists. After hearing private presentations from the finalists, the Committee will select a recipient or recipients for the scholarship. Final selection will be based on the written materials submitted and the private oral presentation delivered to the Committee. Immediate family members of the Selection Committee are ineligible for the scholarship (spouse, parent, child, and sibling).

Public Oral Presentation

1. Presentation. Students selected as scholarship recipients will give an oral presentation of their worldview and ultimate beliefs, using as an outline the essay provided with their application, and with the expectation that the student will offer greater detail beyond the written essay.

2. Audience. The presentation will be open to the CWC community and the general public.

3. Time and place. The scholarship sponsor and/or Selection Committee will coordinate with the recipient in arranging a time and place for the presentation.

4. Award money. Scholarship money will be distributed to the student subsequent to the completion of the oral presentation: one-half that term and one-half the following term provided the student is still actively enrolled.

5. Time frame. The oral presentation must be delivered within a reasonable time frame as determined by the sponsor and/or Selection Committee, else the award may be forfeited.

How to Apply

Submit all written materials (signed CWC Statements, essay, and recommendation) to the Financial Aid Office at Central Wyoming College no later than September 26, 2008.