hen Benjamin Templeton entered Hanover Academy in 1832, not only was he the first AfricanAmerican to do so, he was also the first step in fulfilling John Finley Crowe’s vision of equality in education. One of the ways the College seeks to increase diversity on campus, and students’ cultural experiences, is through the Benjamin Templeton Scholarship. According to the program’s director, Monica Green, the goal isn’t just to attract multicultural students, but those of any color with the mindset to be cultural leaders who’ll promote social justice and tolerance. “The Templeton Scholarship will challenge them and others to be culturally aware citizens,” said Green. “(We’re looking for) individuals who aren’t afraid to be leaders from the moment they come on campus.” The selection process includes a competition where prospective students take part in a oneday leadership exercise. Once accepted, students attend the Templeton Weekend, held in the spring, where they gain skills on how to adapt to college life, participate in a class, tour Madison, Ind., and enjoy a fun event before heading home. This fall, the inaugural class has eight scholars who have to adhere to a rigorous set of standards, including maintaining a 2.75 G.P.A. each semester, attending weekly mandatory study hours, group meetings, attend cultural events and a leadership retreat, and completing at least 20 hours of community service, among others. For their efforts, the College rewards them with full tuition for each year they stay in the program, which equates to a value of more than $100,000.
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Meet five members of the class of 2015
Tessa Dean
Katie Funkhouser
Tessa Dean came to Hanover from Zionsville, Ind., where she was a musician in the school orchestra and participated in “Africa Water is Life,” a program through the World Hope Organization that encourages youth to help developing countries in Africa. Through these efforts, her TRI-M Music Honors Society group was able to raise more than $3,000, enough to build a well that provides clean water to more than 700 people.
Bloomington, Ind., Native Katie Funkhouser was a founding member of her school’s Asian Culture Club where she helped to make her fellow students aware of Asian traditions and customs.
In earning the Templeton Scholarship, Dean said she is very proud to earn recognition for her efforts toward social justice, cultural diversity and tolerance. “I find it rewarding to educate people about other cultures and ways of life, not only of mine, but of others,” said Dean. “I understand that it is sometimes hard to accept differences, but it (can be difficult) to explain to others how important it is to have a well diversified campus. In order to have a greater understanding of the world and life, people have to understand the important aspects of others.”
FALL 2011 | www.hanover.edu
“When people look at me, I want them to see a young woman leading by example, who is not afraid to be different and is kind to everyone, even when that kindness is not reciprocated,” she said. Funkhouser has an impressive, diverse résumé. She served as her high school’s team captain in the Japanese Olympiad of Indiana, which tested her understanding of Japanese culture, speech and writing. In addition, Indiana University chose Funkhouser to participate in the James Holland Summer Enrichment Program in Biology, which encourages minority students to study biology.