Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Hanover:
Benjamin Templeton was the first African-American student to attend Hanover. A free black man from Chillicothe, Ohio, he began his education in 1832 and spent five years at the College, merely 10 years after the College’s founding in 1827 and a full 25 years before President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Templeton went on to lead the free black community in Philadelphia where he served as pastor of the Second African Presbyterian Church.
Benjamin Templeton Chronology (PDF)
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Deadline: December 1
Hanover has created the Templeton Social Justice Leadership Program in memory of Benjamin Templeton, the first African-American student to attend Hanover in 1832.
The program is designed for those who want to help create a more just world. The Templeton Social Justice Leadership Program creates the opportunity for you to explore these urgent questions of social, economic, and environmental equity, while gaining the practical skills necessary to be an effective leader for change in any community or profession.
One of only a handful of such programs in the nation and offering a unique combination of experiences, the Templeton Program is a cohesive, intensely experiential four-year journey, combining rigorous academic studies, co-curricular activities, ongoing mentoring, and a paid internship–all focused on social justice.
Participating students receive a $2,500 renewable scholarship as part of the program. To qualify for consideration, you must have been admitted or submitted your completed application for admission to Hanover College, filed your FAFSA and completed the scholarship application by Dec. 1, 2022.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
In order to maintain good standing with the Benjamin Templeton Scholarship Program, scholars must fulfill all requirements of the program each semester:
- Maintain a minimum 2.68 G.P.A. per semester.
- Weekly mandatory study hours (freshman and sophomores).
- Attend bi-weekly group meetings with the Scholars Class.
- Attend weekly individual meeting with their class advisor (freshman and sophomore).
- Attend a mid-semester progress meeting.
- Participate in the midterm and finals study table (freshman and sophomore).
- Attend at least two cultural events per semester.
- Attend the annual leadership retreat.
- Participate as an active member of at least one student organization.
- Complete 20 service hours per semester.
- Live on campus all four years.
- Complete the FAFSA by April 15 during your first, second and third year at Hanover (code: 001801).
MENTORS
As a part of the Templeton Social Justice Leadership Program , each scholar receives a mentor from the Hanover College administrative staff. Mentors volunteer their time and higher education experience to serve as both an academic and personal support system. Scholars meet with their mentor weekly to stay abreast of all upcoming academic responsibilities and campus involvement and leadership opportunities.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
To be considered, students must apply for admission to Hanover College and complete the Templeton Social Justice Leadership Program application by December 1.
A scholarship application will be complete and ready for review when the following items have been received:
- Completed Hanover College Admission Application
- Completed Templeton Application
- One Letter of Recommendation (Optional)
- Letters of recommendation may be sent to Rachel Stephens, Associate Vice President of Admission, at stephens@hanover.edu.
- Essay
- Completed FAFSA indicating Hanover College as a recipient (code: 001801).
