CWI Scholarship Program - Student Blogs

The CWI Scholarship Program

Now in its 26^th year, the Gettysburg College Civil War Institute (CWI) brings together the world's foremost Civil War scholars for a weeklong examination of one of the war's major themes.  It is a week filled with lectures, panel discussions, battlefield tours, and friendship. 

In 2008, the theme of the CWI was "Abraham Lincoln."  On the eve of the Lincoln Bicentennial, more than 40 scholars presented their interpretations of the central figure in American history to over 400 participants of the Civil War Institute.  Among the speakers were James McPherson, Allen Guelzo, Harold Holzer, Ken Burns, Michael Burlingame, and Douglas Wilson.  Battlefield tours included Lincoln's Washington, the escape route of John Wilkes Booth, and Lincoln at Gettysburg.

Included among the 400 plus participants were 16 high school juniors who came from as far away as Hong Kong. Their participation in the program was funded by scholarships.  These students were selected from dozens of applicants based on merit.  Each student was required to submit their academic transcript, two letters of recommendation, an original research paper, and a letter of interest explaining why they wanted to attend the Civil War Institute.

The Student Scholarship Program contains many "extra" events and activities not open to the rest of the CWI participants.  Students had private sessions with the speakers, often over a meal.  They visited the "Lost Avenue," a portion of the Gettysburg battlefield accessible only through private land, and investigated Underground Railroad sites in the Gettysburg area.  They had a Civil War Q+A session with legendary historian and tour guide Ed Bearss.  They also shared their reactions and opinions of the week in a journal, excerpts of which appear below.

Any student who has completed their junior year of high school and is interested in applying for a CWI scholarship should click here. 

Scholarships are also available for high school teachers.  Anyone interested should click here.

Anyone interested in contributing to the CWI scholarship fund should contact civilwar@gettysburg.edu or access the donation form.

Peter Vermilyea

Director, Student Scholarship Program

Use the links below to navigate the student blogs:

Intro: The CWI Scholarship Program
Part 1: Student Expectations
Part 2: Lincoln, The Man
Part 3: Lincoln, The Commander In Chief
Part 4: Lincoln, The Great Emancipator
Part 5: Experiencing College Life
Part 6: Visiting The Battlefield
Part 7: The CWI