Frederick Douglass Fellowships
The Frederick Douglass Fellowships continue to
support work in African-American studies and related areas. The author,
activist, and diplomat Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), for whom the fellowships
were named, was born in Talbot County, Md., about 30 miles south of Chestertown,
and retained a deep attachment to the Eastern Shore until the end of his
life.
The Douglass Fellowships were established through a generous gift from
Maurice Meslans and Margaret Holyfield of St. Louis. They will fund an annual
grant of up to $1500 to a sophomore or junior at Washington College to work
on a research project related to African-American studies. Topics pertaining
to—in the words of the donors—other "minority American"
fields (Asian-American studies, gay and lesbian studies, Latino studies,
et al.) will also be considered. The grants will allow students to take
research trips, purchase books, and work on their projects in lieu of part-time
jobs; each recipient will be paired with a faculty mentor who will help
to guide him or her in the project. The faculty mentor will receive an honorarium
of $500. Applications are now being accepted for the spring term of 2008.
Download PDF application.
Application guidelines for student fellowships
The fellowship will consist of a grant of up to $1500 for the student, plus
a grant of $500 for the faculty mentor.
Applicants must be in their sophomore or junior year at Washington College.
The fellowship will run for the entire spring semester (January-May).
Applications must include: (Download PDF application.)
- A brief proposal (1-2 pages) describing a research project you would
like to pursue in an area of African-American studies (ranging from history,
politics, and sociology to art, literature, and music, and beyond). Topics
pertaining to—in the words of the donors—other "minority
American" fields (Asian-American studies, gay and lesbian studies,
Latino studies) will also be considered. Examples of possible topics:
"Free Black Communities in 19th-Century Kent County," "African-American
Voting Patterns in the 2004 Election," "Jazz and the Art of
Romare Bearden." You should briefly describe:
- why you are interested in your chosen topic
- a few questions you hope to answer
- what type of research you plan to conduct
- A proposed budget. Note: You are allowed to use the fellowship money to replace income you would otherwise earn from a part-time job during the semester. Other uses of the money might include books or travel expenses for research trips.
- The name of a faculty member who would help to guide your project. You should plan to meet with your mentor once every week or two. Your application must be signed by the proposed faculty supervisor.
- A brief list of up to five of your most meaningful academic or extracurricular activities, as well as personal hobbies, should also be included.
Deadline: February 28, 2007. Applications should be submitted to the C.V. Starr Center mailbox in the William Smith Hall faculty room.
If you have any questions about the Douglass Fellowships, please contact Jill Ogline, Associate Director (jogline2@washcoll.edu).
The Frederick Douglass Fellows, 2005
Paula Potter ’06: “Teaching Civil-Rights History
to Elementary-School Students.”
Faculty mentor: Dr. Peggy Donnelly, Department of Education.
Alyse C. Shelton ’06: “Chestertown Before
and After School Integration.”
Faculty mentor: Dr. Steven Cades, Department of Sociology.
Marlon Saunders: Frederick Douglass Visiting Fellow
The Frederick Douglass Fellows, 2006
Carimanda Baynard ’08: “Media Coverage and
the Disappearance of African-American Women.”
Faculty mentor: Michele Volansky, Department of Drama.
Albin Kowalewski ’07: “Free African-Americans
in Chestertown, 1790-1850.”
Faculty mentor: Dr. Carol Wilson, Department of History.
The Frederick Douglass Fellows, 2007
Elizabeth Clay '08: "The Freedmen's Bureau and its Implications in Chestertown, 1864-1872."
Faculty mentor: Dr. Carol Wilson, Department of History.
Ralph Eubanks: Frederick Douglass Visiting Fellow
Sarah DeVan, '09: "Missed Opportunity and Brighter Future: The Reading Lag in African American Students and How to Fix It."
Faculty Mentor: Sean O'Connor, Department of Education
Gretchen Gerzina: Frederick Douglass Visiting Fellow
