To qualify for the RJ Fellowship, students should be academically adventurous, intellectually curious, creative, and motivated to produce positive change in the world. Students will apply for the fellowship at the time of admission. The RJ Foundation was established by Joseph and Rita Scheller. The former chairman of Silberline Manufacturing Co., Inc., Joseph Scheller has been a member of the Muhlenberg College Board of Trustees since 1995. He also has been a long-time board member of the College's Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding.

"Joe and Rita Scheller are special friends of the College. As a result of their generosity, the College is able to implement yet another value-added program to benefit our students and faculty. We are grateful that they have presented us with such an opportunity," says Muhlenberg College President Arthur R. Taylor. Curtis Dretsch, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College for faculty, has worked closely with the Schellers to develop the program, which uses an unconventional approach to help students learn that the combination of education, responsibility, and perseverance makes adventure into the unknown both possible and exciting.

"The Schellers' gift will enhance Muhlenberg's active learning experience, and increase the cooperative research efforts of our students and faculty in unusual and exciting ways," says Dretsch.

The RJ Fellowship Program will complement the College's Dana and Muhlenberg Scholars programs, which have been providing scholarship grants and academic initiatives since 1987 and 1990, respectively.