Luce scholarships in science

Skidmore College has received a $224,000 grant from the Clare Boothe Luce Program, which will support scholarships for women majoring in chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics. The Clare Boothe Luce Program, established by the Henry Luce Foundation, provides funds “to encourage women to enter, study, graduate, and teach” in fields where they have historically faced obstacles or been underrepresented.

Given its “strong tradition of preparing women for scientific careers, Skidmore is very excited to be able to support our highest-achieving women in pursuing careers in mathematics and science,” said Jamienne S. Studley, Skidmore’s president. The grant will provide two sophomores this year and two sophomores next year with full financial support—tuition, room and board, mandatory fees, and related educational expenses—for their junior and senior years.

Recipients will be chosen for their academic excellence and potential for professional achievement in their field. They will be expected to complete a senior capstone project in their major and to present the results of their research or thesis to the Skidmore community.

Clare Booth Luce was a Renaissance woman whose career spanned seven decades and nearly as many professional interests: journalism, politics, theater, diplomacy, intelligence. In each field she broke new paths, and by the time of her death in 1987 she was a national symbol of women’s accomplishment and potential. —AW, SR