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Civic Engagement | Bonner Scholar Program

Contact Information

Contact

Hartman Center for Civic Engagement
408 S. Locust St.
Suite 200
Greencastle, IN 46135

Valerie Rudolph, 
Director of Civic Engagement and Bonner Scholar Program

vrudolph@depauw.edu

DePauw Bonner Instagram

Bonner Scholar Program

Bonner Class of '25 Orientation

A group of students are sitting under a park shed at a picnic table and smiling.

Bonner Class of '26 Winter Term in Chicago

A group of students in winter clothes are standing on the steps of a brick building smiling at the camera.

Bonner Class of '19 Orientation

A group of students is standing by a recently planted tree, on a field of green grass.

Bonner Class of '26 Winter Term in Chicago

A group of students are standing in front of a banner with a rainbow and the word "Chicago" on it. They are making goofy faces.

Bonner Class of '26 Winter Term in Chicago

A group of students are crowded around a white board. One of them is writing on it. They are very focused on whatever is being written on the whiteboard.

“Thanks to the Bonner Program, I am able to continue to do one of the things that I am passionate about in life, service, as well as attend and be able to afford going to DePauw University. My family and I are grateful for the opportunities that this program has given me and we are excited for what the future will bring.” - Carlos Lara-Gonzalez, ‘25

About the Bonner Scholar Program

Since 1992, DePauw University has welcomed 20-student cohorts of Bonner scholars each year with the goal of promoting access to education through opportunity to serve. Through a wide variety of intensive service and civic engagement opportunities during their time at DePauw, Bonner scholars work with communities local to Putnam County as well as those closer to their homes. Prospective students who have demonstrated commitment to service and financial need are selected to become part of the 4-year service-based Bonner Scholar Program. Lateral applications to the Bonner Scholar Program are open on the basis of spot availability in first-year and sophomore cohorts. 

“Organizations I have worked for and had to connect with in relation to my assessment and volunteer projects pride themselves on their Bonner volunteers. …  I can confidently say that Bonner has been instrumental in my academic and professional experience at DePauw and a net benefit for community organizations that take volunteers on.” - Brandon Collins, ‘23

Bonner Benefits

  • As a Bonner scholar, DePauw University will meet your demonstrated financial need
  • Access to professional development opportunities
    • Opportunities to attend national conferences related to service
    • Gain professional communication skills
    • Develop connections with local non-profit and public organizations
  • Acquire personal growth and a sense of community
    • Ground yourself in Greencastle and Putnam County
    • Bond with a like-minded cohort
    • Further gain personal understanding of systemic injustices.

Becoming A Bonner at DePauw

Eligibility to apply to the Bonner Scholar Program is based on your demonstrated financial need and commitment to service. Commitment to service can be understood as having a solid record of service within your community during high school or as showing strong interest in service while at DePauw University. Interested? Reach out to your admissions counselor to see if you are eligible to apply! For more information click here to be redirected to our “Becoming a Bonner” page.

The Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation

The Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation

Through sustained partnerships with colleges and congregations, the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation seeks to improve the lives of individuals and communities by helping meet the basic needs of nutrition and educational opportunity.

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