Mellon-Mays Undergraduate Fellowship records

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) records document the administration, activities, and impact of the fellowship program at Bowdoin College. The collection includes administrative files, correspondence, and materials from program directors and administrators (including its inaugural coordinator Randolph Stakeman), providing insight into the program’s evolution and operations. Additionally, the records contain audiovisual materials from seminars and colloquiums, reflecting the intellectual community fostered by MMUF, as well as an artifact: a Mellon Mays mug.

The MMUF program at Bowdoin (as of 2024) supports five sophomores each year, offering two years of faculty-mentored research, financial support, and preparation for doctoral studies and academic careers. Fellows participate in the Summer Research Training Program, receive stipends to prioritize research over employment, and gain access to GRE preparation funding and modest travel assistance. Those who enroll in an eligible Ph.D. program within three years of graduation may also qualify for undergraduate loan repayment. The program’s structure ensures that fellows develop an intellectual identity, engage in rigorous scholarship, and become part of a sustained network of scholars.

These records highlight the program’s role in diversifying the professoriate by documenting the experiences of students and faculty involved in MMUF at Bowdoin. The collection serves as a valuable resource for understanding the program’s impact on the academic trajectories of its fellows and its contribution to broader efforts to increase diversity in higher education.