History of the Program

History of the Program

Global Partnership Scholars began in 2002 as the Periclean Scholars Program, when Elon University became one of 10 institutions to accept a challenge from the Eugene Lang Foundation to provide students with a learning experience that would “instill in students an abiding sense of social responsibility and civic concern.”

Elon’s participation in National Project Pericles reflected the university’s longstanding commitment to engaged learning and its mission to prepare students to become global citizens and informed leaders motivated by concern for the common good. The Periclean Scholars Program became the centerpiece of that work at Elon, offering students a rigorous, cohort-based academic experience that connected classroom learning with sustained community partnership and collaborative action.

Over more than two decades, Periclean Scholars cohorts developed partnerships with communities and organizations in the United States and around the world. Through these experiences, Scholars learned to examine complex social issues, work across cultural and disciplinary differences, build reciprocal relationships, and collaborate with partners toward a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world.

As both Elon’s academic program and the national Project Pericles organization evolved, it became increasingly important to distinguish the unique, three-year, academic cohort experience from Elon’s broader participation in the national consortium.

The name has changed, but the program has not. The new name more clearly communicates the program’s defining emphasis on sustained, mutually beneficial partnerships while distinguishing the academic program from the national organization. Global Partnership Scholars retains the same three-year academic structure, cohort model, Faculty Mentor relationship, and commitment to informed, ethical, and globally engaged partnership. The Periclean Scholars name, and the students, Faculty Mentors, community partners, and shared work associated with it, remains an essential part of the program’s history and legacy.

Periclean Scholars Cohorts, 2006–2027

From the inaugural Class of 2006 through the Class of 2027, each Periclean Scholars cohort pursued a sustained partnership focused on issues identified through study, relationship-building, and collaboration with communities in the United States and around the world. Together, these cohorts reflect the breadth of the program’s history and the enduring contributions of its Scholars, Faculty Mentors, and community partners.

The Class of 2027 will retain the Periclean Scholars title, honoring the program identity under which its members began their three-year experience. Beginning with the Class of 2029, cohorts will carry the Global Partnership Scholars name.

Class of 2006: Namibia, HIV/AIDS awareness and education, Dr. Tom Arcaro (Sociology and Anthropology).

Class of 2007: Honduras, pediatric malnutrition, Dr. Jim Brown (History and Geography).

Class of 2008: Mexico, poverty and education, Dr. Michael Frontani (Communications).

Class of 2009: Zambia, rural development, Dr. Steve Braye (English).

Class of 2010: Ghana, socioeconomic development, Dr. Heidi Frontani (History and Geography).

Class of 2011: Sri Lanka, environment and education, Dr. Crista Arangala (Mathematics).

Class of 2012: India, empowering adolescent girls, Dr. Martin Kamela (Physics).

Class of 2013: Mexico, poverty and health issues, Dr. Brian Nienhaus (Business).

Class of 2014: Appalachia, poverty and environment, Dr. Ken Hassell (Art).

Class of 2015: Haiti, Restavek and human trafficking, Dr. Bud Warner (Human Service Studies).

Class of 2016: Honduras, youth and community development, Prof. April Post (World Languages and Cultures).

Class of 2017: Namibia, sustainable agriculture, Dr. Carol Smith (Health and Human Performance).

Class of 2018: Zambia, partnership in community development, Dr. Steve Braye (English).

Class of 2019: Sri Lanka, partnering for economic empowerment for women, Dr. Mathew Gendle (Psychology).

Class of 2020: Cuba, “Sin Embargo: A Collection of Cuban Stories” documentary, Prof. April Post (World Languages and Cultures).

Class of 2021: Oglala Lakota Nation, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, USA, child maltreatment and cultural restoration, Dr. Bud Warner (Human Service Studies).

Class of 2022: Ghana, YOUDRIC, Leadership for Life Program; DownHome NC, Advocacy in Alamance County, Prof. Amanda Tapler (Public Health Studies).

Class of 2023: Sri Lanka, partnership with organizations supporting diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), Dr. Mathew Gendle (Psychology).

Class of 2024: Morocco and Alamance County NC, structural racism and racial inequality, Dr. Vanessa Drew-Branch (Human Service Studies).

Class of 2025: Costa Rica, supporting healthy youth development, Dr. Vanessa Bravo (Strategic Communications).

Class of 2026: India, sustainable strategies for community support of children, Prof. Amanda Tapler (Public Health Studies).

Class of 2027: Sri Lanka, partnering for economic empowerment for women, Dr. Mathew Gendle (Psychology).