Summer 2008Applications Now Being Accepted
Prize includes $3,500 in Cash
Any Cadet may Apply
21 April 2008 submission deadline

Click Here For Application

The Jeff Shaara New Market Battlefield Scholar-in-Residence Program consists of three elements: Summer residency on the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park; $3,500 stipend and a personally autographed set of the Civil War Trilogy by authors Michael and Jeff Shaara.

The project provides the opportunity for a VMI Cadet to spend the summer interpreting the history of the Shenandoah Valley, 1858 –1868. "The award is unique among those offered by colleges or Civil War sites," commented COL Keith Gibson, Director of VMI Museum Programs. "We are excited to offer this opportunity for a cadet to join the museum staff and spend the summer on the New Market Battlefield."

The award was established in 1999 by best selling author Jeff Shaara. Mr. Shaara’s Last Full Measure and Gods and Generals, along with his father, Michael Shaara’s Killer Angels, are popular volumes with the Cadet Corps. Mr. Shaara first became familiar with VMI while researching Gods and Generals in the early 1990s. His interest in VMI history and historical writing led him to endow the Scholar-In-Residence program.

"Here is a remarkable way for a cadet to work and study at what for all Americans, but especially VMI alumni and cadets, is a singular place.” Mr. Shaara said at the announcement of his program. “I am certain, too, that young people visiting New Market will have their interest heightened by seeing a young man or woman, a VMI cadet, presenting the Civil War experience."

By establishing this Fellowship, Jeff Shaara has performed another great service to the field of Civil War history and to VMI. Very few programs like this are available to undergraduate students in history; therefore, VMI is quite pleased by and grateful for Jeff Shaara's endowment to establish and support it.

Purpose: The Shaara Scholar-in-Residence Program is to provide the successful candidate an opportunity to actively engage in the stewardship of mid-nineteenth century American history. The successful candidate will be exposed to various facets of the museum profession while assisting the museum staff with daily duties. In addition, the Shaara Scholar will represent the Corps of Cadets to the visiting public.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria: Application must be submitted to the VMI Museum no later than 21 April 2007. Any rising Third, Second or First Class VMI Cadet in good standing, may become a Shaara Scholar candidate, regardless of academic major. Cadets interested in becoming candidates shall complete an application. A four-member committee comprised of members of the VMI History Department and the VMI Museum Staff will select the successful cadet. The Shaara Scholar will be announced at the spring Cadet Awards Convocation.

Term of Residence: The Shaara Scholar will be provided housing on the Bushong Farm, New Market Battlefield State Historical Park for the period not less than ten weeks commencing the first week of June and running through the first week of August.

Requirements: The successful candidate shall be employed as a member of the Museum staff and rotate through all departments of the museum, thus receiving a broad exposure to the museum profession. Experiences will include leading tours of the New Market Battlefield and Bushong Farm, working with the ground maintenance crew, and assisting with administrative duties during a forty-hour workweek. The Shaara Scholar will be required to wear the VMI Cadet White Blouse uniform and maintain cadet standards of grooming during working hours.