This year, the Royster Society of Fellows celebrates the graduation of 27 fellows representing 22 doctoral programs. Their contributions have fortified the bridges of understanding by connecting across disciplines. Having completed a significant journey of discovery at Carolina, they leave behind a legacy of collegiality and collaboration for others to emulate. A promising future awaits! Congratulations to all graduating Royster fellows!
— A message from Jennifer Gerz-Escandón, Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Education and Fellowship Programs.
Lyle V. Jones Dissertation Fellowship
Advisor: Kenneth Andrews
“I really enjoyed my time as a Royster fellow. The space the fellowship gave me to focus on writing my dissertation was essential for me finishing my program. I also got a lot of value from talking with other graduate students from other disciplines at the many events (e.g., research presentations, Focused Fridays, etc.) the fellowship sponsored.”
Thomas S. and Helen Borda Royster and Snowden and Elspeth Merck Henry Dissertation Fellowship
Advisor: Donna Gilleskie
“The opportunity to be part of the Royster Society of Fellows has been wonderful. The support from the fellowship has been vital to focus on the end stages of research and in completion of the dissertation. Moreover, the diversity of thought embodied by the society's members is amazing. Combined with the welcoming nature of each event, this has truly been one of the most unique intellectual environments I have ever experienced.”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: Zlatko Plese
Henry Dearman & Martha Stucker Fellowship
Advisor: Ennio Rao
“The Royster Society of Fellows enabled me to complete my dissertation in a timely manner and provided me with myriad tools to further my professional development including workshopping skills, networking, and providing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration among members. On top of all that, the community that Laura, Jennifer, and the rest of the team work to foster among fellows was a source for enthusiastic support and a home-base during the otherwise isolating work of dissertation research and writing. ”
Linda Dykstra Dissertation Fellowship
Advisor: Sean Sylvia
“The financial support from the Royster Dissertation Fellowship is critical to my completing the dissertation on time, especially given the disruptions due to COVID-19. I also benefited immensely from the friendship and support from the Royster community.”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: Victoria L. Rovine
“The Royster Society of Fellows provided a well-needed bridge to academic life outside of my department. I met several great friends in the RSOF and enjoyed the many development opportunities.”
William R. Kenan Jr. Fellowship
Advisor: Ruth von Bernuth
“Royster was invaluable in providing me with the time, support network, and resources to complete my dissertation in a timely manner. I also met some lifelong friends through Royster, and for that I am very grateful!”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisors: Byron Powell and Chris Shea
“I have enjoyed being a fellow and opportunity of interdisciplinary learning”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: Darin Padua
“The Royster Society has blessed me with the ability to interact with up and coming scientists and academics in a huge range of specialities. Beyond gaining a greater understanding of the research that is done here at Carolina, this interaction has helped me better understand the variety of approaches to problem solving - an invaluable concept in a world where the only constant is change.”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: Richard Superfine
“The generous funding from the Royster Society jumpstarted my graduate education as it allowed me to begin research during my first year. It also provided a community of friends that shaped how I approach science, teaching, and learning.”
Sequoyah Dissertation Fellowship
Advisor: Harry Watson
“The Royster Society provided much-needed support for my research and writing at a critical stage of my dissertation. In my two semesters off from teaching, I made tremendous progress on my project, and my fellowship funded travel to two major conferences, where I presented my work.”
Paul Hardin Dissertation Fellowship
Advisor: Shelley Golden
“The Royster Society of Fellows gave me the opportunity to connect with other doctoral students and researchers outside of my department and school, which has helped me think more critically about the interdisciplinary nature of my research. The generous funding for my dissertation also gave me much needed 'protected time' to focus on my own independent research, something I had not been able to do prior to this year.”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: Shu Wen Ng
“I really valued learning from my peers in other disciplines. It was interesting talking about what academia looks like in different fields and I learned a lot from the final year research presentations. ”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: Kathleen DuVal
“Without the added support of the Royster Society of Fellows, I would not have been able to afford to attend graduate school at UNC. Beyond that, the RSOF gave me the opportunity to co-teach a FYS, an experience that was integral to developing my teaching skills.”
Carol and Edward Smithwick Dissertation Fellowship
Advisor: Mark T. Heise
“The Royster Society of Fellows connected me with other scholars that were working towards the same goal but approaching the problem from different fields. It also gave me an opportunity to reconnect with the humanities I enjoyed in college but have not gotten as much exposure to since joining graduate school.”
William R. Kenan Jr. Fellowship
Advisor: Linda S. Adair
“Royster made it financially possible for a first-generation college student from a low-income background to attain a doctorate from one of the best departments of nutrition in the country. Thank you.”
Chancellor's Fellowship
Advisor: Patricia Rosenmeyer
“The Royster Society provided a stimulating context in which to pursue my graduate studies, and the fellowship greatly facilitated the writing of my thesis by exempting me from teaching duties in my final year.”
Chancellor's Fellowship
Advisors: Michael Hudgens and Michael Love
“I am so grateful to the Royster Society for giving me the opportunity to stay rounded and connect with other students, the UNC campus, and the Chapel Hill community. The Society's support has gone beyond the generous financial gift to support me mentally and emotionally over the years as well; they have helped me thrive, not just survive, in my time as a graduate student.”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: Lora-Cohen Vogel
“Royster's guaranteed funding was a privilege that greatly helped in my doctoral years.”
Lovick P. Corn Dissertation Fellowship
Advisor: Gary Pielak
“The Royster Society of Fellows has given me a network of collaborative, intellectual and caring individuals with a commitment to service. I'm fortunate for the friends I have made during my time as a fellow and for the professional development opportunities that helped me grow personally and professionally. ”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: William Valdar
“The Royster Society of Fellows offered me invaluable opportunities to meet students from other disciplines and to expand my view of graduate education in the US and abroad. The Society and the staff in the Graduate School were also the best cheerleaders and motivators throughout my studies!”
William Neal Reynolds Fellowship
Advisors: Gillian Russell and Laurie Paul
“Royster is wonderful and I have loved being a part of it!”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: Tamlin Pavelsky
“I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with people from very diverse fields. The (especially pre-COVID) social events were super helpful for learning to appreciate new people, as well as diverse fields of research. ”
Advisor: Mark Schoenfisch
“I very much appreciate the financial support that the Royster Society has afforded me, but there are also opportunities I've had and people I've met that I wouldn't have had I not been apart of this program, like being part of the team to bring in the first rendition of 3 Minute Thesis to UNC. Those rare interactions are what have made my graduate school experience unique and I am ever grateful to the Royster Society of Fellows for facilitating them.”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: Tamlin Pavelsky
“The Royster Society of Fellows allowed me the flexibility to explore novel research ideas and take chances during my PhD. It allowed me to maintain a healthy work life balance and overall made my graduate experience an incredibly fulfilling one.”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisors: Amarjit Budhiraja and Nicolas Fraiman
“I appreciate the generous support provided by the Royster Society of Fellows, as well as the many opportunities to learn about the wide-ranging research being conducted at UNC.”
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship
Advisor: Mary H. Palmer
“The Royster makes my doctorate in the USA become a feasible thing rather than a dream; The Royster Society of Fellows makes me always keep in mind that I should do my best to be a real 'Royster'!”
