Gates Scholars The new batch of Gates Scholars have been chosen

Thirty-nine new US Gates Cambridge Scholars have been selected as the programme continues to expand

They fully meet the criteria of the Scholarship in being both intellectually outstanding and having a capacity for leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others

Robert Lethbridge

This year 12 new US universities are represented, including public and private institutions ranging from liberal arts colleges to research universities. This brings the number of US institutions who have had Gates Cambridge Scholars to 183.

The 12 institutions are: Case Western Reserve University [OH], Christopher Newport University [VA], DePauw University [IN], Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering [MA], Lewis and Clark College [OR], Naropa University [CO], Salisbury University [MD], San Juan College [NM], State University of New York at Binghampton [NY], University of Maryland, College Park [MD], University of New Mexico [NM] and Wellesley College [MA].

While 20 of the 36 universities are in the THE’s top 400 world university rankings 16 are outside, highlighting the breadth of institutions and the high level of access for outstanding candidates from any university.

The programme was established through a US$210m donation to the University of Cambridge from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2001 which remains the largest single donation to a UK university. Competition for places is fierce and the programme is unique in its emphasis on social leadership as well as outstanding academic ability.

The successful 39 candidates, who will study for a variety of one-year courses and PhD degrees, were whittled down from an initial field of around 769 applicants. The 83 shortlisted candidates were interviewed in Washington DC on 1st and 2nd February by Cambridge and US academics.

The US Scholars will join 50 Scholars from other parts of the world, who will be announced later this year. At any one time there are almost 250 Gates Cambridge Scholars at the University Cambridge – one of the world’s most ancient and prestigious universities.

Professor Robert Lethbridge, Provost (CEO) of the Gates Cambridge Trust, said: “We are delighted to announce our new US Scholars. They are an outstanding group of individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.  They fully meet the criteria of the Scholarship in being both intellectually outstanding and having a capacity for leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others. They should be proud of this achievement and we can expect much of them.”

Bios and photos of the new US Scholars are available on the New Scholars 2013 page.

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