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As veterans of the Bonner Scholars Program, this year is focused on deepening your community impact through capacity building Signature Projects, applying experience and learning to an exploration of a shared social issue, and conversation about civic life post-Davidson College.
Use this page as a source of information and links related to Signature Projects and Rising Senior Funds.
Signature Projects
Signature Projects
A Bonner Signature Project is a Bonner Scholar's culminating project in the senior year that serves a community purpose. Bonner Signature Projects can be an individual project or a team project with other Bonner Scholars or Davidson College students.
Your Signature Project may work with a long-time community partner, may address a social issue tied to their service and learning, and may connect with their formal academic requirements (such as a capstone or thesis in their major or minor). The most effective Bonner Signature Projects allow students to tap into their "Sweet Spot" (referenced in the video below).
The Signature Project culminates in some sort of presentation or program that includes (but is not limited to) a community-based or campus-based program, workshop, or presentation or a presentation during the Verna Miller Case Symposium. See below for important Verna Miller Case Symposium due dates and date of the event.
Through these projects, students integrate their:
Personal Identity (i.e., values, purpose, passions, career interests, sense of connection to particular communities such as by race, gender, etc.)
Academic Experiences and Interests (i.e., major, minor, areas of study, key skills, and aptitudes, co-curricular engagement such as in arts, sports, and music)
Civic Experiences (i.e., Bonner Scholar work; broader experiences in community building, activism, or advocacy; and career preparation)
Learn more about Signature Projects from the Bonner Foundation.
*It is important to note that, at Davidson College's Bonner Scholars Program, the term Signature Project is used rather than Capstone to avoid confusion with any Davidson College academic requirements.
Important Verna Miller Case Symposium Dates
Date of Symposium: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Registration deadline: TBD (Last year's date was: Monday March 3, 2025)
Poster and Abstract Submissions Due: TBD (Last year's date was: Tuesday, April 22, 2025)
More information is always available on the Verna Miller Case Symposium website.
Left side: Sam Wathira '24 presents his Bonner Reflection poster at the Verna Miller Case Symposium. Taft Harrell came to show is support.
Right side: Amanda Fuenzalida '24 at her Signature Project, a community arts event in conjunction with the Town of Davidson and benefitting the Ada Jenkins Center.
Rising Senior Fund
Rising Senior Fund
Senior Bonner Scholars may apply for an additional $500 to support the following:
summer service activities prior to their senior year (after 2 summers of service have been completed)
service projects during their senior year
expenses related to applying to graduate school or a job in the non-profit or public sector. These expenses may include: covering the cost of attending a conference related to their service travel to an interview for a fellowship, graduate school, or a job with a non-profit or government agency, or graduate school entrance exams or application fees.
To receive this additional support, Bonner Scholars must be in good standing with the program and submit a Rising Senior Fund Proposal. Proposals are approved by Bonner Foundation staff. These proposals must be received by the Foundation prior to the time period for the use of these funds so plan accordingly. Applications will be processed on the business day following these dates:
Dates for the Class of 2027
May 10, 2026
September 20, 2026
November 29, 2026
January 24, 2027
March 14, 2027 (Class of 2027 Bonner Scholars who have completed 2 summers of service may begin applying for this due date)
Important Links and Forms:
Important Links and Forms:
Signature Proposal Form (Due by end of Fall Semester)
Verna Miller Case Symposium Website
Link to Senior Bonner Student Survey (from the Bonner Foundation)
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