Success, for a select few: It's great that Morehead-Cain scholars continue to win Rhodes scholarships, but others could, too

Amid the pride at continued success in producing Rhodes scholars, UNC must avoid neglecting capable students who lack prestigious scholarships.

Over the past five, ten, and twenty-five years, UNC has produced more Rhodes scholars than any other U.S. public university.

It’s a notable success — the image of Tar Heels headed off to Oxford to pursue the passions nurtured here among the world’s best academics is a great one.

But you could probably venture a pretty good guess before freshman year which UNC students will be candidates.
Since 1957, 29 of UNC’s 32 Rhodes scholars have been Morehead-Cain scholars.

Considering the Morehead-Cain program uses similar selection criteria as the Rhodes, it is not entirely surprising.

The Morehead-Cain program offers impressive advantages: travel opportunities, as well as advising here at UNC.

However, it is tough to imagine that of the 3,800-odd students not awarded the scholarship each year, there are not at least a few late-bloomers.

But for whatever reason — a lack of information, less guidance, or otherwise, they are not having the same success with the Rhodes scholarship.

UNC’s Office of Distinguished Scholarships does try to reach across the student body, targeting students by grade point average and advising those who do contact them.

And they managed to get a number of non-Morehead scholars to the interview stage in each of the past few years.

But there’s a real risk the success of students from such a small segment of the UNC student body — preselected before starting as freshmen — may disguise a need to reach out to the student body at an early stage about postgraduation scholarship opportunities.

Morehead-Cain scholars are not the only ones across campus excelling academically and leading students.

It’s hard to replicate the access to resources and cultivation that the Morehead-Cain Foundation provides its scholars. But that is all the more reason for the University to remain cognizant of the need to reach out and spread awareness of this prestigious opportunity.