holster scholar

Honors Freshmen Conduct Research Through Holster Scholars First Year Program

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Holster Scholars with Robert Holster '68 (CLAS)
Robert Holster ’68, Julianne Norton ’15, Lior Trestman ’15, Xiao Li ’15, Kaila Manca ’15, Katrin Acuna ’15, and Xu Zheng ’15 outside the Dodd Center on Sept. 20, 2012. (Photo: Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

By Mirofora Paridis ’13 (CLAS)

This summer, six Honors freshmen pursued their passion through individualized, self-designed research projects with funding from the Holster Scholars First Year Program.

The Holster Scholars First Year Program, funded by an endowment established by Robert ’68 and Carlotta ’68 Holster, provides Honors freshmen with the opportunity to pursue independent and individualized learning experiences. Prospective scholars must complete a highly selective application process in the fall of their freshman year, submitting an innovative and thorough project proposal. Holster Scholars are eligible for up to $4,000 in funding, and spend the spring semester fine-tuning their project plans.  They carry out their research in the summer. Continue reading →

Young scholars discover potential through Holster grants

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2011 holsters

By Cheryl Cranick, Honors Program

In September, Robert Holster ’68 witnessed the culmination of his generosity: the first Holster Scholar presentations. His $1 million gift, given jointly by his wife Carlotta ’68, funds the Holster Scholar First Year Project, sponsoring Honors student research. But it has a unique qualification: the grants are given to first years.

Holster felt giving back was an “obligation,” crediting UConn Honors as “fundamental to getting me off to a good start,” he said. He was a member of the inaugural Honors class in 1964. Continue reading →