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James J. Slade Scholars Program

The James J. Slade Scholars Program is a selective, research-focused option open to students in the third year who have maintained a 3.2 university cumulative grade-point average. The Slade Scholars Program honors long-time School of Engineering faculty member James J. Slade: a noted researcher, mathematician, and professor for 36 years.  His commitment to teaching, scholarly excellence, and impact on students was legendary and continues to resonate through this prestigious research program. 

Each Slade scholar prepares a plan of study under the tutelage of a faculty advisor with the support of both their undergraduate and the Honors Director in the Rutgers School of Engineering. The student applies by completing a form available below. This opportunity is available to all students that meet the criteria. 

Program Requirements 

The Slade Scholars program requires independent research and completion of a thesis, which total to six-semester credits beyond the minimum required for graduation. These six credits of research cannot count as undergraduate credits. 

During the course of the program, JJ Slade scholars will participate in peer review sessions and presentation evaluations, led by a faculty committee. In the video review session, professors will select a distinct group of scholars to present oral presentations at the end of the spring semester. Each scholar will prepare a scholarly thesis describing their investigations, with the ability to present this at the culminating JJ Slade Symposium at the end of the Spring semester. 

Upon successful completion of the JJ Slade program, with the approval and sign-off from their research committee consisting of their advisor, undergraduate director, and the Honors Director in the School of Engineering, the student will receive a special honors certificate. Successful completion of the program is also noted in the conferred degrees and honors listed in the commencement program. 

How to Apply 

Slade Application  
 
Submission: Email completed applications to ruhonorsacademy@gmail.com AND cc antoine@soe.rutgers.edu 
Deadline: July 1 at 11:59pm
Note:  Due to the present circumstances, we will accept physical and digital signatures for your application. 

JJ Slade Symposium 

Each year, the JJ Slade program holds a culminating symposium to celebrate the achievements of the JJ Slade Scholars. During this event, selected oral presenters will discuss their research. This is followed by a poster session to learn about each of the participants. We encourage all students, faculty, and family to attend the event to celebrate the current class of JJ Slade Scholars. 

James Jeremiah Slade 

James Jeremiah Slade 

During his long and legendary tenure as a professor of engineering mechanics at Rutgers University, James Jeremiah Slade was a noted researcher, brilliant mathematician, and beloved by the students he taught for 36 years.  Slade, who retired in 1964, received worldwide acclaim for his discoveries in the mechanics of turbulent sedimentation and self-excited oscillations and is credited with attracting many of the researchers who brought prominence to the College of Engineering, as well as to the university.  He is remembered at Rutgers for developing a course called Engineering Analysis which became part of the required junior curriculum.  It was his intense presentation of the material that earned the course a new student-selected title:  “The Slade Mystery Hour.” 

A man of many talents, Slade was also a novelist who wrote about the Mexican Revolution of 1910, based upon his own experiences as a youngster who was born and raised in Mexico.  

The James J. Slade Scholars carry on a tradition of excellence in scholarship and research as exemplified by Slade.