Undergraduates interested in public affairs and community engagement are invited to apply for the Wayne Morse Scholars program.

The program provides skills building, service learning, and leadership training for UO students from any background or major who can make a two-year commitment.

Students in the scholars program meet monthly for lunchtime discussions with guest speakers on compelling topics ranging from campus and local issues to national and global challenges. They take two special seminar classes, Democratic Dilemmas and Democracy in Practice. 

Upper-level scholars are provided with modest funding to support a required internship or research project, known as a practicum. Other components of the scholars program include field trips, service days, skills and leadership trainings, mentoring, and social events. 

“The Wayne Morse Scholars program is a great opportunity to build meaningful connections with like-minded students who are passionate about politics, policy, social justice, and more,” said Jennifer Beltran, who is graduating this year after spending the last two years in the program.

“The scholars program has given me the tools to be an effective citizen in my community, no matter where it is that I am,” she said. “It has also further exposed me to careers that involve my interests of public affairs, service and politics, which align with my global studies and political science majors and nonprofit administration minor.”

The deadline to apply for the Wayne Morse Scholars 2022-23 academic year is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, May 15, and the program begins in the fall.