David Dillman, Director    
ACU Box 29143
Abilene, Texas 79699-9143
Hardin Administration Building, Room 220

Phone: 325-674-2095   Fax: 325-674-6962
Email: dillmand@acu.edu

The Jack Pope Fellows Program offers fellowships to outstanding Abilene Christian University students pursuing careers in public service. Acceptance into the Program requires students to complete an interdisciplinary 24 hour Minor in Public Service, which is administered by the Department of Political Science (see Admission/Course Requirements below).

The Program gives students opportunities to learn about public service in the classroom, attend special lectures, gain practical experience in public service, and participate in service activities. The Jack Pope Fellows Program is interdisciplinary and applicants are drawn from all majors and fields of study offered at Abilene Christian University. Pope Fellowships are intended for those who will shape the culture and provide a Christian influence in an area of public service. Public service is broadly defined as careers at all levels and in all functions of government as well as related public service sectors.   

Abilene Christian University recognizes Judge Jack Pope’s considerable contributions to his state and nation in his career as a public servant. In honor of his accomplishments and service, the Board of Trustees of ACU established the Jack Pope Fellows Program. Jack Pope Fellowships (which will be $3000 for the 2009-2010 academic year) are awarded on the basis of merit to full-time ACU students who will be college juniors in the following academic year.

Public service, in all its many forms, is a noble calling.  It is so important that we must not leave it to chance.  We should, instead, actively search for and recruit young men and women who have good minds and character.  We must then provide them the training they can use to solve the complex problems of our times.  If we fail to do this, we will leave important civic matters to untrained, indifferent or unprincipled people.  We must begin now. 

• Judge Jack Pope

Admission Requirements

To be selected for a Jack Pope Fellowship, a student must:

1. Be a full-time student at Abilene Christian University at the time of selection to the program.
2. Be a junior pursuing a bachelor's degree during the 2012-2013 academic year. A student will meet the definition of  junior - if one has completed more than half the second year of college but not more than half the third year of college by the beginning of the 2012-2013 academic year. 
3. Currently have (and subsequently maintain) a grade point average of at least 3.25.
4. Submit an application portfolio demonstrating a genuine commitment toward pursuing a public service career. 
5. Interview with the Jack Pope Fellows Steering Committee.