The Strnad Fellowship in Creativity at University School
Since 1968, the Strnad Fellowships at University School have provided students with the opportunity to pursue independent, in-depth study driven by their intellectual curiosity and purpose.
Established by James J. “Budd” Strnad ’42, the program originally focused on advanced scientific research. The program was expanded in 1981 to include all fields of intellectual endeavor—the arts, music, literature, history, languages, or any inquiry or project a student could imagine. From seven senior science fellows the first year, the Strnad program has now served more than 750 students across nearly six decades.
Mr. Strnad reflected on the fellowship program after its first 25 years, “Early on, I sensed the greatest value of the Fellowships was building self-confidence. And I always believed that once a bright person acquires self-confidence, there is nothing he may choose to do that he cannot accomplish.”
Search the archive.
A comprehensive digital archive including over 700 projects dating back to 1969.
Driven by curiosity.
The Strnad Fellowship is defined by commitment to rigorous, student-driven inquiry. Each Fellow develops and executes an original project, presenting proposals and managing all aspects of the work in a process that extends well beyond traditional curriculum.
Discovery that endures.
The impact of the Strnad Fellowships extends well beyond the completion of individual projects. Many Fellows pursue further study and careers aligned with their work. All develop a deeper sense of intellectual confidence, independence, and the capacity to address complex challenges with discipline and creativity.
