Established to provide opportunities to Dedman College undergraduates for hands-on research, Jack and Jane Hamilton founded the Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholars Program in 2008. Devoted to the legacy of their parents, Diane Buford and Dan Hamilton (’71, '79) continue the Program to this day.
The Hamilton Scholars Program provides awards to faculty to support paid, hands-on research experiences for Dedman College undergraduate students. These awards enable them to collaborate with top faculty researchers and contribute to the creation of cutting-edge knowledge. The Program seeks to support projects on topics of interdisciplinary interest and impact that help Dedman College faculty members to advance their own research while simultaneously providing a meaningful learning experience for the undergraduates.
The Calls for Proposals go out via email in early spring (for summer Hamilton Scholars) and late summer (for Academic Year Hamilton Scholars) to all Dedman College faculty members. Each faculty/student team submits an online, competitive proposal for the project.
Hamilton Scholars have successfully delivered papers on their research at professional meetings and submitted their work to professional journals. There are limited funds available to support these endeavors in addition to the award for their paid research.
Each year a reception is held where Hamilton Scholars have the opportunity to present their work to the SMU Community. Hamilton Scholars are also recognized at the University Honors Convocation.
Students who are interested in this Program should speak to a faculty member with whom they are interested in working. Faculty members who are interested in this Program should identify a student interested in participating.
For further information, contact the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute: dcinterdisciplinaryinstitute@smu.edu.