MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Middlebury College has been invited to be one of 10 schools participating in the Compton Foundation’s Mentor Fellowships for graduating seniors. In addition to Middlebury, participating academic institutions include Berea College, Clark University, Furman University, Lewis and Clark College, Morehouse College, Oberlin College, Princeton University, Tufts University and Vassar College.

The Compton Foundation created the Mentor Fellowship Program to support the creativity and commitment of graduating seniors as they move beyond academic focus and into the world. The Fellowship is intended for one year, with a stipend of $36,000, beginning and ending at the annual mid-June gathering of Fellows held in the San Francisco area.

“Middlebury was selected because of its impressive reputation and commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Compton Foundation Executive Director Edith Eddie, “and in recognition of the fact that the campus community is engaged in developing exceptionally innovative solutions to the crisis of global climate change.”

The Compton Mentor Fellowship Program is based on the belief that life-changing experiences occur when formal learning becomes transformed by action. Such complementary learning helps one see - and appreciate - the larger world through different eyes and a broadened perspective.

“It is an institutional goal to make innovation and creative problem solving second nature to Middlebury students so they can develop the critical skills that will serve them throughout their lives,” said Middlebury College President Ronald D. Liebowitz. “This fellowship is a special opportunity for our graduating seniors, and I hope many will take advantage of it and apply.”

The Compton Foundation seeks to foster human and ecological security by addressing contemporary threats to these inalienable rights, and supports responsible stewardship that respects the rights of future generations to a balanced and healthy ecology, both personal and global.

As a participating institution, Middlebury has agreed to announce the fellowship widely, establish a review committee that will meet to discuss internal applications, which are due from students on Feb. 14, and forward up to two student proposals to the Compton Foundation in March. The process will be administered by Middlebury College Director of Student Fellowships Arlinda Wickland.

Applicants must identify a strong proposal in focus areas and a select a mentor that has agreed to work closely with the student for the year after he or she graduates. Compton announces the recipients on April 18.

“This recognition is a tribute to the environmentally focused leadership demonstrated by Middlebury that directly benefits our students’ postgraduate experiences,” said Middlebury College Dean of Environmental Affairs Nan Jenks-Jay.

For more information about the Compton Foundation Mentor Fellowship Program, visit http://www.comptonmentorfellowship.org/.