In the Spring of 2002, the parents and friends of Ben Ling '98 established a fellowship to honor Ben's memory.  Awarded annually, the Ling Fellowship supports a Colby Government major who undertakes either an internship or a significant research project. 

While he was at Colby, Ben majored in Government and was involved in a number of internships and major research projects.  A  summa cum laude graduate of Colby, Ben went to Washington in order to pursue a career working on agricultural and ranching issues.  He died of cancer in 2001.

To encourage and support students participating in internships or undertaking major research projects during the summer, the Fall semester, or Jan Plan.

Any sophomore or junior Government major may apply for the Ling Fellowship, which is awarded on a need-blind basis.  The Ling Fellowship can run from any period of time from June 1 in the calendar year in which it is awarded, through the end of the following January. 

The Ling Fellowship provides up to $2,000 towards expenses incurred during the internship or research project for which it has been awarded.

Internships may be either paid or unpaid, full-time or significant, part-time; the work of the internship must, however be clearly and significantly related to the student's academic program or professional and career goals.

Research projects must be clearly connected to a student's course of study at Colby, e.g., research for an Honors Thesis or major independent study project.

A complete application for the Ben Ling Fellowship will contain the following:

• An application letter of between 800 and 1500 words that explains how the particular internship or research project for which a student is applying demonstrates a commitment to a larger, coherent course of study or direction in personal and professional development.  The letter should identify the specific internship or research program to be undertaken, and it should explain, in detail, the the work or research to be accomplished during the time of the fellowship.  The letter should be carefully written and edited; the quality of the application materials will carry significant weight with the selection committee.
  
• A current resume with appropriate personal, educational, and work-related items.
• A letter of recommendation from a Colby faculty member (sent directly to Professor Maisel).
• A brief letter from the organization providing the internship or from the faculty member sponsoring the research, outlining your responsibilities and their willingness to supervise you in carrying out those responsibilities.
• A tentative budget.

Any questions about the Ling Fellowship should be addressed to Professor Maisel, x5307 or lsmaisel@colby.edu.

Applications are due to Mrs. Ward, the Government Department secretary by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday before Spring Break.  The winner will be announced at the Department's Spring Goldfarb Lecture.