The Morehead-Cain Foundation is pleased to announce the members of its class of 2029, who will begin their undergraduate journeys at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC–Chapel Hill) in the fall of 2025.
Chloe Cook, a senior at Mitchell High School is one of the recipients of this prestigious scholarship. Chloe will graduate this spring from Mitchell High School in Ledger, North Carolina, where she serves as student body secretary of Mitchell's student council and president of the Future Business Leaders of America. Chloe has also worked as a referee and organizer for Mitchell County Parks & Recreation, as well as a tutor for the Lamplighters After School program, highlighting her passion for helping the younger generations. She plans to study political science and history at Carolina. Chloe is the daughter of Lisa and Stan Cook of Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Chloe was recognized for this outstanding achievement at a recent board of education meeting.
The seventy-five scholars represent twenty-two North Carolina counties and nineteen U.S. states and territories (including North Carolina). They are from six countries and were nominated by schools in eight countries (including the United States). Their academic interests range from biology and political science to literature, languages, and the arts.
They join a thriving cohort of thinkers, leaders, creators, and adventurers at UNC–Chapel Hill, empowered by the Morehead-Cain Program to set their potential free. In addition to a fully funded undergraduate scholarship to one of the nation’s foremost public research universities, scholars gain access to a network of peers and mentors, challenging internships and summer experiences, and an opportunity to travel the world.
The process of selecting the new class occurs over the course of six months and includes application review, virtual and in-person interviews, and other activities. The selection process relies on the expertise of Foundation staff and hundreds of alumni interviewers and volunteer evaluators. Candidates enter the process via nomination, either from their school or on their own. The UNC Office of Undergraduate Admissions also refers strong Early Action applicants as candidates for the process.
“At a time in which bold and ethical leadership is required across our global society, we welcome the Morehead-Cain Class of 2029 with a moment of celebration and a call to action,” said Chris Bradford, president of the Morehead-Cain Foundation. “These scholars were selected for their intellect and moral force of character, and we recognize their potential to lead lives of purpose and impact. In joining Morehead-Cain, they embrace a lifelong commitment to strengthening our University, state, nation, and world.
Since its founding in 1945, the Morehead-Cain Program has been a model for countless merit scholarships throughout the United States and across the world. These include the University of Virginia’s Jefferson Scholars Program, Duke University’s Benjamin N. Duke Scholars Program, and Emory University’s Woodruff Scholars Program
About the Morehead-Cain Scholarship
Morehead-Cain identifies, invests in, and empowers a community of dynamic, purpose-driven leaders by providing a four-year undergraduate scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a lifelong challenge to positively impact the University, state, nation, and world. In addition to tuition, books, and room and board, Morehead-Cain offers students in the Program—called Scholars—four summers of travel and experiential learning, access to a network of more than 3,400 alumni, and the opportunity to identify and pursue their aspirations. Learn more about Morehead-Cain.
About the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is a global higher education leader. Carolina is passionately public, with a commitment to ensuring that every student who earns admission can come to Carolina and thrive. Addressing the greatest challenges of our time through innovative teaching, research and public service, Carolina is an engine of opportunity for the next generation of students, the economy and innovation in North Carolina and beyond. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Carolina regularly ranks as the best value for academic quality in U.S. public higher education. More than 361,000 alumni of Carolina’s 15 schools including the College of Arts and Sciences live in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories and 149 countries. Nearly 190,000 live in North Carolina. Learn more about UNC–Chapel Hill.