Head of School awarded prestigious Robertson Scholarship in the US

With university offers continuing to roll in for the Upper Sixth, we were delighted to hear this week that Finlay C (O, UVI) has been awarded the prestigious Robertson Scholarship to the University of North Carolina and Duke University.

One of the fiercely competitive merit-based scholarships to US colleges, Finlay will join around 25 other scholars, selected from thousands of applicants. The Robertson programme seeks to foster links between the two universities, which are close neighbours just to the west of Raleigh, as well as develop “vibrant leaders committed to making transformational contributions to society”. The award covers not only all tuition and board but also provides its scholars with leadership opportunities throughout the year each summer.  Unique to the Robertson scholarship is that he will become a member of both UNC and Duke, taking classes at each institution and engaging in the myriad of extra-curricular offerings they offer.

Toby Percival, Head of Sixth Form, said: “Finlay’s leadership potential was obvious from his first day at Shrewsbury, throwing himself fully into everything that the community had to offer. 

“As Head of School, he is a young man who leads from the front, driven by a strong moral compass, and we are thrilled that the Robertson selection committee saw the same potential. Having been fortunate to visit both Duke and UNC, there is a common feeling at both to that of Shrewsbury, with a sense of purpose and collegiality, as well as amazing, tree-filled campuses. I am sure that he will benefit from all that the scholarship has to offer.”

Finlay will join a growing roster of Old Salopians in North Carolina, following Finn Sansom and Joss Gowar, both Morehead-Cain scholars at UNC, as well as Iris Downes at Duke and Annie Stamer at UNC as sports scholars.

Look out for more from Finlay on his scholarship in next week’s newsletter.