Bonner Program

What is the Bonner Scholars program?

The mission of the Bonner Foundation is to transform the lives of students, their campuses and local communities through providing access to education, and the experience to serve. It is designed to heighten the overall education a scholar receives by asking students to engage in ongoing service work and helping them develop the tools and knowledge needed to make the work meaningful and the results long lasting.

The Bonner Scholars program is supported in part through the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, which provides funding, training and technical assistance to community service scholarship programs at 25 small colleges and universities across the eastern United States.

The Bonner Scholars program at Warren Wilson College supports 20 students a year and is a leadership program based on the Five E's Leadership Development Model. The program provides financial assistance to high-need students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to community service. A person may receive a Bonner Scholarship in the same way that one might receive an athletic scholarship: one agrees to make a specific commitment in exchange for financial aid. Bonner Scholars work on the Service-Learning Crew for their four years at Warren Wilson College.

What are some of the benefits of the Bonner Program?

Participate in a two-year leadership program
Attend state and national conferences
Engage in two summer internships
Join Bonner Americorps and receive up to two, 2-year AmeriCorps Education Award tuition vouchers worth $2300 each (optional)
Serve the community outside of WWC up to 10 of your 15 hours each week
Gain professional development through events planning, academic service-learning, and engaging the campus community in current issues regarding the environment and other social causes
Work to develop a strong relationship with the agency of your choice

Bonner Scholar Requirements: The Basics

Each Bonner Scholar is required to:

Serve on the Service-Learning Crew for at least two years;
Attend orientation and training programs in late August (for first-year students only);
Complete a week-long group service trip with other Bonners in the program;
Complete two-280 hour summer internships with a national or international non-profit organization;
Make satisfactory academic progress and conduct themselves on and off the campus in a manner that repectfully represents the College and the Bonner Scholars Program;
Complete an additional hours of service above and beyond the 100 hours required to graduate and the time earned on the work crew

Bonner Scholars and the WWC Work Program

A Bonner Scholar at Warren Wilson will be placed in the Service-Learning Program as their work crew assignment, and will work a total of 15 hours each week. Bonners spend part of their 15 hours of work in the office, and the rest of their crew time in the larger community participating in and leading service projects offered to the entire student body. The Service-Learning Crew also designs and creates special events on campus to raise awareness around social justice issues such as HIV/AIDS, diversity education, and environmental concerns. Bonners will continue the tutoring matches started the freshman year throughout their senior year. Mentoring matches will be reviewed each year.

How can I become a Bonner Scholar?

Generally, students must have significant financial need to participate in the Bonner Scholar Program. Financial aid forms must be in to admissions by March 15. Be sure and check the Bonner box on the WWC financial aid and scholarship form.

There are different numbers of Bonner Scholars allowed each year depending on our openings. The Service-Learning Office will receive your name from Admissions and contact you. Be prepared to complete a questionnaire and several essay questions on how you think you would fit into the Bonner experience at Warren Wilson College. You will be asked to include any previous experiences that will help you with your service in the Bonner Scholars program such as tutoring, mentoring, other relevant experiences with children, working in groups, organizing and participating in service projects, team leading, etc.

You will be asked to include two letters of reference from people who have seen you working in group situations, working with children, or with whom you have worked closely.

If the Bonner Program sounds like a match for you, fill out the Bonner application online now. After we receive your application, we will be in touch with you about the next steps.

We choose Bonners based on the following:

Student's financial need (EFC must be $7500 or less to qualify);
Student's overall motivation, experience, and commitment to service in general with a specific commitment to tutoring and mentoring*;
Strong interest in learning how to work, learn, plan, and play well as a cooperative contributing member of a team; and
Commitment to working on the Service-Learning Crew as a Bonner Scholar for four years.

*Warren Wilson College has partnered with several educational organizations in the community to wrap services around Western North Carolina youth. While there will be many opportunities for various types of service during a student?s four years at the school, the Bonner experience at Warren Wilson College has a strong focus on tutoring and mentoring in the community.

Want to know more?

I am the crew boss and would be happy to help you any way I can. I can be reached via phone (828-771-3775) or email (debrak@warren-wilson.edu). I highly recommend that you visit our campus so that I can meet you and introduce you in person to the Bonner Scholar Service-Learning crew members who make this possible. For campus visits, please contact Monique Cote at the Office of Admission, 1-800-934-3536, and tell her that you are interested in the Bonners program and in meeting me. I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Debra Kiliru

Contact:

Debra Kiliru, Service-Learning Crew
Warren Wilson College
Campus Box 6007
P.O. Box 9000
Asheville, NC 28815-9000

Email: debrak@warren-wilson.edu
Phone: 828-771-3775
Fax: 828-771-3052

For Admission Information: 1-800-934-3536

or fill out the Bonner application online.

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