Knight-Hennessy Scholars is an international graduate-level scholarship program for study at

Stanford University Stanford University, officially Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university in Stanford, California. The campus occupies , among the largest in the United States, and enrolls over 17,000 students. Stanford is consider ...

. Established in 2016, the program prepares students to take leadership roles in finding creative solutions to complex global issues. Scholars receive full funding to pursue any graduate degree at Stanford and have additional opportunities for leadership training, mentorship, and experiential learning across multiple disciplines.

Program

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program is inspired by programs such as the

Rhodes Scholarship The Rhodes Scholarship is an international postgraduate award for students to study at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. Established in 1902, it is the oldest graduate scholarship in the world. It is considered among the world' ...

, with a focus on attracting students with a wide range of backgrounds from around the world.Sara Germano
"Nike Founder Phil Knight Donates $400 Million to Stanford,"
''

Wall Street Journal ''The Wall Street Journal'' is an American business-focused, international daily newspaper based in New York City, with international editions also available in Chinese and Japanese. The ''Journal'', along with its Asian editions, is published ...

'', February 24, 2016. In addition to their graduate studies, scholars participate in leadership development programs and immersive study trips, and have opportunities for mentorship with thought leaders in business, government and nonprofit fields.Michael Gioia
"Stanford launching Knight-Hennessy scholarship to attract top graduates,"
'' Stanford Daily'', February 24, 2016.

Selection

Since 2018, the program annually offers financial support comprising full tuition and fees, room and board, related academic expenses, and a stipend for living expenses. Successful applicants to the Knight-Hennessy scholars program demonstrate leadership, independence of thought, and civic commitment.Alessandra Stanley
"Philip Knight of Nike to Give $400 Million to Stanford Scholars,"
''

New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

'', February 24, 2016.Ari Chasnoff
"Knight-Hennessy Scholars program identifies admission criteria,"
Stanford News, February 7, 2017. Potential applicants apply to the Knight-Hennessy scholars program and also apply separately to a graduate degree program at one of Stanford's seven schools. The inaugural class of 51 scholars from 21 countries, pursuing degrees in 31 academic departments at all seven of Stanford's schools, was announced on February 15, 2018. Chosen from 3,601 applicants, the inaugural cohort was 57% female, majority nonwhite, and 23% first-generation US citizens. They earned undergraduate degrees at 38 different schools, and 63% hold non-US passports, from countries including Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nigeria, Romania, South Korea, Syria, Tajikistan, and the United Kingdom. The inaugural cohort arrived at Stanford in the fall of 2018,Susan Gonzalez
"Five alumni intent on improving the world named Knight-Hennessy Scholars,"
''

Yale News The ''Yale Daily News'' is an independent student newspaper published by Yale University students in New Haven, Connecticut since January 28, 1878. It is the oldest college daily newspaper in the United States. The ''Yale Daily News'' has consis ...

'', February 16, 2018. with up to 100 scholarships awarded annually in subsequent years.Kathleen J. Sullivan
"Knight-Hennessy Scholars program in start-up mode,"
Stanford News, August 30, 2016. In 2019, a class of 75 scholars is anticipated. Students will receive funding for up to three years toward a master's degree. Scholars pursuing doctorates or medical degrees can receive additional funding beyond the three years from their departments.

Campus

Scholars are housed among Stanford's graduate students, approximately 80% of whom live on campus. Stanford has constructed Denning House on the shore of

Lake Lagunita Lake Lagunita, informally referred to as Lake Lag, is an artificial dry lake in Stanford University, California, located on the western side of the Stanford campus near the Lagunita residences. It was created in to provide irrigation for Palo A ...

; the on-campus building serves as the center for the Knight-Hennessy scholars community. Scholars gather at Denning House for presentations, workshops and social events. New York architectural firm Ennead designed the two-story building, which has classrooms, a dining area, and meeting and lecture rooms, as well as office space for a fellow-in-residence and for the program's administrative staff.Kathleen J. Sullivan
"Knight-Hennessy Scholars program wins approval for Denning House, holds first meeting of faculty advisory board,"
Stanford News, December 8, 2016. The building is a gift from Steven A. Denning, chair of the school's Board of Trustees, and his wife, Roberta Bowman Denning, chair of the Arts Advisory Board and the Humanities & Science Council.

References

External links

* {{Stanford University, state=collapsed Stanford University Scholarships in the United States 2016 establishments in California Awards established in 2016

Program

Selection

Campus

See also

References

External links