Story by Logan Jackson
As Silas Bloch was making his college decision, there were two distinct reasons that Mizzou was at the top of his list – degree programs that appealed to his interests and a spot where he could find a more individualized learning experience.
Being named a Stamps Scholar sealed the deal.
Bloch plans to pursue a degree in constitutional democracy when he arrives at Mizzou this fall, a program offered through the College of Arts and Science’s Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy. Bloch also plans to pursue a degree in art history, and he will be heavily involved in the Honors College through the Stamps Scholarship.
“For me, I was trying to decide whether I wanted a smaller, more individualized experience or a larger institution that could potentially have more resources,” Bloch said. “Mizzou offered the best of both worlds. Mizzou is an obviously a large university with so many incredible resources, and the Honors College provides that more personalized experience with smaller class sizes where you can deep dive into topics.”
Mizzou has partnered with the Stamps Scholars Program since 2017 to offer this premier scholarship to more than 50 Tigers. Mizzou Stamps Scholars receive a four-year, full cost of attendance scholarship, plus an additional $16,000 enrichment fund to be used during the student’s four years to enhance their studies and academic pursuits. Stamps Scholars are enrolled in the Honors College for all four years, working toward the completion of the Honors Certificate. This year, Mizzou will welcome seven Stamps Scholars.
Around 20 semifinalists are invited each February to the Stamps interview weekend where they learn more about the Mizzou campus, meet current Stamps Scholars and interview for the scholarship.
“The weekend was really great for a couple different reasons,” Bloch said. “It was amazing to meet the current Stamps Scholars, as it allowed me to learn more about what student life is actually like. It was also nice to hear about the Missouri Method, an academic practice which stresses hands-on, real-world experiences. I was familiar with Mizzou before the interview weekend, but this experience showcased all the different opportunities that are available to students, especially those involved in the Honors College.”
Bloch has a couple ties to Mizzou. His older brother, Henry, is a senior studying computer science and is also pursuing the Honors Certificate. The brothers are from St. Louis, Missouri, and attended the same high school as current Stamps Scholar Lilley Halloran, a senior constitutional democracy and journalism double major at Mizzou.
“Receiving the call that I was named a Stamps Scholar was a bit of a surreal experience,” Bloch said. “I became aware of the Stamps Scholarship when Lilley, who was the captain of our high school debate team, got the call about being named a Scholar during a practice. I was also in debate practice, sitting in the same seat she was, when I was notified about being awarded the scholarship. It was a very cool experience.”
Bloch has been interested in law since he was young. Those interests grew to include politics, public policy and history – but a career as a lawyer has stayed at the top of his list.
“The constitutional democracy degree provides the perfect blend of political science and history, and I think this program is an amazing vehicle to study all those areas from a really interesting perspective,” Bloch said.
Along with his degree, Bloch said he is interested in exploring study abroad and research opportunities offered through Mizzou and the Stamps Scholarship.
“I’m definitely excited to get into research and gaining valuable experiences beyond the classroom,” Bloch said. “College is obviously about gaining knowledge and building networks and relationships, but it’s also a lot about growing as a human being. I’m excited for what’s in store.”