Student Fellowships

The John Goodwin Tower Center Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Lydia Butts, 2004-2006 Henry S. Miller Undergraduate Research Fellow with Senator John McCain, Tower Center Medal of Freedom Recipient (March 6, 2006). Ms. Butts is now a Foreign Service Officer at the Department of State.

The John G. Tower Center offers a limited number of research fellowships to SMU undergraduate students to pursue collaborative work in politics and government. The Undergraduate Fellows work closely with faculty in developing a research project resulting in a publication or final paper presented at a professional meeting or before a faculty committee. The Tower Center's Undergraduate Fellows are accepted during the second semester of their sophomore year and serve as fellows during their junior and senior years. Selection is based on merit and determined by an application and interview process emphasizing ability and interest in research.

Each fellow receives a stipend of $750 per semester for a maximum of four consecutive semesters, a book allowance for documents related to the independent study project, support for research expenses approved by the Director of the Center and support for travel to appropriate academic conference(s) for presentation of their research.

There are four fellowships and each fellow is designated by the name of the donor of his fellowship: The Edwin L. Cox Fellowship Award, the Al G. Hill, Jr. Fellowship Award, the Tom Bryant Medders, Jr. Fellowship Award, the Henry S. Miller Fellowship Award.

2008-2010 Undergraduate Research Fellows:

  • Veronica Davis, Al G. Hill, Jr. Fellow, Political Science and Business major.
  • Charanya Krishnaswami, Henry S. Miller Fellow, Political Science, Finance and French major

2009-2011 Undergraduate Research Fellows

  • Linwood Fields, Edwin L. Cox Fellow, Political Science and English major
  • Aaron (Matt) Tullman, Tom Bryant Medders, Jr. Fellow, Political Science and Finance major

The Jack C. and Annette K. Vaughn Foreign Service and International Affairs Internship

Every academic year, the John G. Tower Center offer one Foreign Service and International Affairs Internship which will allow a highly qualified SMU sophomore or junior student to have the opportunity to gain first hand knowledge of American foreign affairs. The selection process is based on merit and determined by an application and interview process. Additionally, students applying for the State Department Intern Program must meet the eligibility requirement of this program, which includes a background investigation necessary to obtain security clearance. Students selected by the Tower Center but not chosen by the State Department Intern Program will be placed in another international affairs center, government agency, or think tank in Washington, DC.

The intern is awarded a stipend for the internship period, an allowance for the research books as required by the faculty sponsor, housing at GWU, and round-trip airfare to Washington, DC. The intern is expected to enroll in an internship course the following semester and must develop a plan in consultation with a faculty sponsor.

The 2009-2010 Jack C. and Annette K. Vaughn Foreign Service and International Affairs Intern is Sanaz Talaifar, an International Studies, Psychology and French major.

The Hatton Sumners Foundation Scholarships

As of 2008-2009, The Tower Center also oversees and manages the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Scholarships for undergraduates at SMU.

The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation supports programs and activities that foster an increased understanding of civic and personal responsibility, and active participation by citizens in all levels of government.  The scholarship selection committee evaluates applicants on their academic record, leadership abilities, participation in community and civic affairs, and potential for future leadership.   

The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis.  Hatton W. Sumners Scholars receive $2500 per semester for four consecutive semesters (junior and senior years); in addition they will have opportunities to participate in programs supported by the Foundation that will enhance the quality of the academic experience.  Hatton W. Sumners Scholars will also be invited to exclusive programs sponsored by the John G. Tower Center for Political Studies.

The 2008-2010 Sumners Scholars are:

  • Paige Agostin, a Political Science and History major

  • Robert Hayden, a Public Policy and Spanish major

The 2009-2011 Sumners Scholars:

  • Andrew Hendrix, a Political Science, Economics and Public Policy major

  • Eric Jacobson, a Political Science, Economics and Public Policy major

The Marian Tower Study Abroad Scholarships

These scholarships were established by the John G. Tower Center for Political Studies to support opportunities for SMU students to participate in one of SMU's International Semester Programs. Ten $2000 scholarships are awarded every year - for the Fall and Spring semesters only. These scholarships are administered by SMU's Study Abroad, Blanton Building,6815 Drive, Dallas, TX 75275.

The recipients of the Marian Tower Study Abroad Scholarships for Fall 2009:

  • Jessica Burnett, International Studies major - SMU in Copenhagen
  • Chris Hamilton, Markets and Culture major - SMU in Spain
  • Drake Konow II, Foreign Language major - SMU in Spain
  • Mayra Mendoza, Economics major - SMU in Spain
  • Federico Munoz, Political Science and Foreign Language major  - SMU in Spain

The Tower Institute: A Summer Program in the Study of Politics and Government for Talented and Gifted Students

The Tower Institute, a summer program for the study of politics and government, is offered in conjunction with SMU's Gifted Students Institute.

This summer, thirteen "Tower Scholars" were selected for the Tower Institute scholarships. They are 7th to 11th grade students in the TAG and College Experience programs.