Introducing the Morehead-Cain Scholars Class of 2030

The Morehead-Cain Foundation is pleased to announce the newest members of its community.

The scholars represent thirty-three North Carolina counties, fifteen U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and seven countries. Their academic interests span the sciences, health professions, public policy, business, and the humanities, from biomedical engineering and environmental science to philosophy, languages, and music.

The members beginning their undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this August will be joined by returning gap-year scholars.

They join a thriving cohort of thinkers, leaders, creators, and adventurers at UNC-Chapel Hill, empowered by the Morehead-Cain Program to set their potential free. In addition to a fully funded undergraduate scholarship to one of the nation's foremost public research universities, scholars gain access to a network of peers and mentors, challenging internships and summer experiences, and an opportunity to travel the world.

The process of selecting the new class occurs over the course of six months and includes application review, virtual and in-person interviews, and other activities. The selection process relies on the expertise of Foundation staff and hundreds of alumni interviewers and volunteer evaluators. Candidates enter the process via nomination from a partnering school or program (all eligible in-state students may apply through self-nomination). The UNC Office of Undergraduate Admissions also refers strong Early Action applicants to the process.

"We welcome the newest Morehead-Cain Scholars at a moment when principled leadership has never mattered more," said Chris Bradford, president of the Morehead-Cain Foundation. "These scholars were chosen not only for their intellect and capacity for leadership, but for the strength of their character. By joining the Morehead-Cain Program, we challenge them to pursue lives defined by moral ambition, not just achievement."

Since its founding in 1945, the Morehead-Cain Program has been a model for countless merit scholarships throughout the United States and the world. These include the University of Virginia's Jefferson Scholars Program, Duke University's Benjamin N. Duke Scholars Program, and Emory University's Woodruff Scholars Program.

High-resolution images of the Morehead-Cain Scholars can be downloaded here. A biography of each scholar is here.