Dr. Michael W. Raymond's Beyond the Classroom Grant

Students Who Have a Plan to Pursue Their Passion for Learning Outside of the Classroom this Summer and Have Achieved Junior Class Standing Are Encouraged to Apply
Apply by April 1, 2011

Background
Dr. Michael W. Raymond, Professor of English at Stetson until his death in 2007, believed that higher education was an opportunity for students to discover their passions. He railed against the view of the university as a place for vocational training. The idea that college represented a transactional experience in which one "put in" four years of time, a pile of cash, and expected a degree which represented little more than a ticket to the rat race was anathema to him.

Dr. Raymond's message to undergraduates at Stetson was clear: The university exists as a sanctuary and a crucible, a place to learn to love the process of learning, and to catch fire with an intellectual passion that will sustain you for the rest of your life. He was speaking from his own experience as an undergraduate at Stetson, and this grant in his honor is designed to help current and future Stetson undergraduates to pursue their own dreams and passions.

Purpose & Overview of the Grant The Dr. Michael W. Raymond's "Beyond the Classroom Grant" is awarded annually to 3rd-year students who actively pursue their passions for learning outside of the domain of assignments, credits, and compulsory education.

Grant money is to be used during the summer actively pursuing a passion or a dream. Ideally, the recipient will be working on an independent project, be it creative writing, journalism, film, acting, political activism, scientific research, or a business plan. Possible uses for the grant may include travel money for research, books, equipment, or simply supplemental income to cover fundamental living expenses in order to "take a little of the pressure off" the grant winner during the pursuit of independent learning and exploration.

The grant will be awarded to undergraduate students in their junior year with the understanding that they will return to Stetson University for their senior year. The grant is not restricted to a particular field of study.

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Student Eligibility
In order to apply for the grant, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Will reach junior status by the end of the Spring semester
  • Intend to return to Stetson University for a senior year

Grant Application Process
To apply for the grant, students must submit the following:

  • A completed application formdownload the applicationform(pdf)
  • In the spirit of writing across the curriculum: A 250 - 750 word personal letter describing the origins of the applicant's passion, as well as a brief overview of how the applicant expects to use the grant money
  • A sample of existing evidence / past work in the passion of their choice
  • DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2011

Optionally, a student may include a faculty recommendation letter. Faculty members are encouraged to recommend a student.

Please submit questions about the grant, applications and nominations to one of the following Stetson faculty:
Bruce Bradford (bbradfor@stetson.edu) 822-7331
John Schorr (jschorr@stetson.edu), 822-7246