Programs
The Rev. Theodore Hesburgh Scholar Program
The Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, CSC Scholar Program, named in honor of the legendary University of Notre Dame President, is designed to challenge the most gifted and motivated student in a demanding course of studies. It not only requires the development of the student's abilities in all areas of the academic curriculum, but also seeks to further his overall development through involvement in various service-oriented and extracurricular actives. Through such a regimen, it is hoped that he will emerge as a caring, capable young man ready to aid in the construction of the world "where justice and love prevail."
Hesburgh Scholars for 2008-2009
Sophomores Tuvilla, Richard |
JuniorsBungum, Samuel Diaz, Andrew Fries, Daniel Hogan, Andrew Hopkins, William Kerber, Philip Morrissey, Sean Moser, Matthew Podkowa, Daniel Sachaj, Matthew
Torres, James |
SeniorsAngelini, Michael Kemnetz, Matthew |
Universities Attended by Hesburgh Scholars:
Catholic University
Cornell University
DePaul University
Duke University
Harvard University
Loyola University-Chicago
Marquette University
Northwestern University
Purdue University
St. Louis University
United States Naval Academy
University of Arizona
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
University of Iowa
University of Michigan
University of Notre Dame
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Requirements
The distinction of Hesburgh Scholar is a great honor. But with that great privilege also comes great responsibility. Hesburgh Scholars are held to high academic and participation standards.
Academic
- Maintenance of a cumulative 3.6 GPA and a semester average of "B"
- Completion of at least 3 years of a foreign language
- Completion of a minimum of 9 credit hours of AP or honors courses throughout their career at Notre Dame.
- The AP or honors courses taken MUST encompass the following courses:
2 English
1 Mathematics
1 Social Sciences
1 Religion
1 Foreign Language
1 Science
2 Elective Honors courses from any subject area
Additional
- Participation in the Hesburgh Forum Program during their junior and senior years
- Participation in a peer tutoring program in Br. Andre Center
- Contribution to the NDHS community through service, leadership, and extra-curricular activities
Background
The Reverend Theodore Hesburgh CSC Scholar program began in the fall of 1991 with the induction of 52 students from the junior, sophomore and freshman classes. The members from the junior class immediately began to participate in the Hesburgh Forum segment of the program which allowed them to participate in various experiential-type activities designed by the academic departments within the school. Each major department is free to devise any type of learning activity or activities which they feel will challenge the Hesburgh Scholars and aid in their development socially, spiritually and academically. Each segment lasts for approximately 12 weeks and thus, the Forum part of the Hesburgh Scholar Program stretches across both the junior and senior years of its membership. Traditionally, the junior year is comprised of activities developed by the Social Studies, Foreign Language/Fine Arts, and the Mathematics/Science/Technology Departments while the Physical Education, Communication Arts and Religion Forums are held during the senior year.
Visits to museums, college campuses, theaters, laboratories, hospitals, physical therapists, jails and court buildings are just a few of the experiences that the Hesburgh Scholars have garnered in their first 11 years of existence. A program such as this depends on the willingness of the Notre Dame faculty to help create and direct these activities. It provides an opportunity for each department to try out new ideas and methods, and allows the participants the opportunity to work with all the members of the faculty involved. A typical example of the different types of activities that have been developed in the past include the following:
Social Studies
A formal debate on the topic of the legalization of "controlled substances". To help prepare the students for this debate, trips were taken to the Lake County Correctional Facility in Waukegan, Illinois where interviews were held with the warden of the jail as well as with the District Attorney of Lake County. A trip was also taken to the Cook County Criminal Court Building to interview several judges on their views regarding the debate topic. The students prepared their arguments and the debate was held before members of the Social Studies Department and other members of the Notre Dame community.
Science
One of the more memorable Science activities occurred with a visitation to the Medical Examiner's Office to witness various dissections that were in progress. The Hesburgh Scholars combined that experience with a visit to the new Illinois State Police Building and a comprehensive tour of the various divisions of forensic knowledge used in courts of law such as DNA analysis, ballistics, voice and finger printing.
Religion
The Hesburgh Scholars have inspected and analyzed the architecture of Chicago churches. They have constructed an interview format to be used in questioning college students about the reality of Christ and the Church in the lives of young people, and then conducted interviews with students from various colleges and universities to gather data to be presented to the Religion Department faculty.
Physical Education
Physical Education forums have included a look at what goes on in the running and operating of a National Football League team such as the Chicago Bears, a behind-the-scenes look at the then new White Sox stadium, and the participation in a Teams-Concept obstacle course which would serve as the prototype for the freshman and sophomore retreats held at the high school.
Contact
| Mrs. Cheryl DeBoard | Director | 847.779.8733 |