Kara Frisina, Konneker-Cutler Scholar, Sea Kayaking in Alaska
Planned enrichment experiences are an integral part of the Cutler Scholars Program. These enrichment programs are intended to enrich self-understanding, provide insight into civic responsibility and the free enterprise system, and offer meaningful exposure to another culture. Below are the four planned enrichment experiences, in the order they normally occur:
Summer Prior to OU Freshman Year: an experience in self-discovery in an
outdoor leadership program such as Outward Bound.
Kara Frisina, Konneker-Cutler Scholar, Alaska Sea Kayaking: “Seeing the vast, raw wilderness of Alaska was awe inspiring with both beauty and fear. The two don't seem that different when staring at the misty mountains and crashing sea. During the eight days I feel I grasped a connection with nature that all humanity share with the earth and with each other.” Read More!
Caitlyn John, Emrick-Cutler Scholar, Southwest Rafting, Southeastern Utah: “I highly recommend this trip to others. It was challenging, and I had to step outside of my comfort zone at least a few times every day. It's one thing proving yourself to others through merits and achievements. It's another proving you to yourself. My Outward Bound trip helped me find myself. I liked what I found.” Read more!
Summer Between Freshman and Sophomore Years: a community/public service experience.
Lauren Loftus, Riedel-Cutler Scholar, Service Enrichment Experience: “When planning my Service Enrichment Experience, I struggled a bit. I wanted to do something big, but had trouble finding a project that I thought was worthwhile. My thoughts began to stray to my benefactors - two very successful people, who, in giving back to their hometowns, gave me the opportunity to be a Cutler. I thought about my own hometown, and decided that I wanted to do something to give back to my community too.” Read more!
Kyle Criner, Hughes-Cutler Scholar, Habitat for Humanity in Anchorage, Alaska: “Given the choice, I would have loved to have spent more time in Alaska and with the Habitat team. Helping to build the houses yielded a very uplifting feeling within all of us, and there was a lof left to explore in Alaska.” Read more!
Summer Between Sophomore and Junior Years: business management internship. Scholars intern in management positions related to their career goals.
Alexander Bill, Pattison Cutler Scholar, Management Experience, Chicago, Northwestern University: “This summer I learned not only what I would enjoy doing for a living, but also that I am ready to do it. I found this internship though a mix of good fortune and networking.”
Summer Between Junior and Senior Years or During Academic Year: a work/study abroad experience, offered to those who successfully completed the two previous experiences. A proposal for work/study abroad must reflect the scholar's previous interest in either the subject of study or the travel destination, or both.
Alex Anderson, Konneker-Cutler Scholar, Quito and Loja, Ecuador: "I would recommend this trip to anyone interested in research, medicine, or development. This experience pushed me physically, emotionaly, and mentally and I think it is good for any student to be pushaed in these ways to learn more about themselves and to reach their full potential."