The Jack H. Taylor Scholarship in Physics

Dr. Jack H. Taylor ’44 was a long-time faculty member (1956-1992) and a driving force in the growth of the physics department during the twentieth century. He was the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Research and Creativity at Rhodes and the American Physical Society’s Pegram Award for outstanding teacher.

In 2005, alumnus Charles Robertson, Jr. '65 endowed the Jack H. Taylor Scholarship in Physics to help support recipients for their full four years at Rhodes. The scholarship provides tuition assistance and an opportunity for Taylor Scholars to work in the physics department, on research or other projects, starting in the first semester.

This interview with Professor Taylor was conducted by student Travis Rasor ′10, the first recipient of the Jack H. Taylor Scholarship in Physics.

The Taylor Scholarship in Physics provides talented high school physics students the means to continue their investigations at the college level. At least one scholarship may be awarded to a first-year student each year, and is renewed annually for that student for three years if renewal requirements are satisfied. 

As a Taylor Scholar, you will:

• Receive up to $18,500 per year in addition to any other Rhodes scholarship or grant
• Provide five hours per week of service to the Department of Physics. This could be in the form of research with a faculty member or work on special projects within the department.
• Make satisfactory progress toward a major or minor in physics as determined by the Department of Physics
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

Application Process for the Taylor Scholarship in Physics:

1. Submit an application for admission to Rhodes by either the Early Action deadline or the Regular Decision deadline.
2. Complete the Application for the Jack H. Taylor Scholarship in Physics online by December 1 if you applied Early Action or January 25 if you applied Regular Decision.* You will need to access this application using your portal login. Your application portal login will be emailed to you within 24 hours of submitting your Common Application to Rhodes. You will not be able to view or complete this application until your Common Application has been submitted.
3. Arrange to have a letter of reference from a teacher or project supervisor sent to Dr. David Rupke at rupked@rhodes.edu by December 1 if you applied Early Action or January 25 if you applied Regular Decision.

*All applicants will receive equal consideration; Early Action applicants can still apply by the January 25 deadline if they miss the December 1 deadline.

Applicants will be notified if they are a finalist within roughly six weeks of each deadline.

Past Recipients of the Jack H. Taylor Scholarship