Purpose

The Samuel Eells Literary and Educational Foundation supports the Educational, Literary and Charitable purposes of the Alpha Delta Phi.

In 1961, The Samuel Eells Literary and Educational Foundation (S.E.L.E.F.) was established in the name of a natural born pioneer. Eells believed in the good of mankind at a time when society focused primarily on one’s sins. While others paid penance for their daily transgressions, Eells celebrated the ingenuity of his peers and concentrated his faith in the opportunity of one’s intellect. Well-studied in Greek, Latin, mathematics, and the sciences, Eells wished to expand the limits of the current, traditional curriculum. And so, he created a literary society at his university to investigate artful analysis of historical and sociopolitical revolutions, believing that the written word in itself had truths to tell.

Eells committed his life to the exploration of knowledge and self worth. And at every opportunity, Eells sought to include his neighbors in this quest and encouraged their personal growth as well. Despite living with a debilitating chronic condition, he studied, traveled, and worked at multiple professions to expand upon these ideals. So while his body may never have been strong, his character was indomitable.

Eells died at the age of thirty two. In honoring his legacy, this foundation was endowed in an effort to assist undergraduates’ personal and intellectual growth. Our literary competition and scholarships serve to help motivate students in achieving academic excellence. In turn, our hope is that these beneficiaries will share the wealth of their talents and expertise through industry.

Mission Statement

The Samuel Eells Literary and Educational Foundation, Inc. is a self-governing, charitable purpose corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1961, under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It accepts tax-deductible donations and makes grants to individuals and institutions of higher learning for literary, educational and other charitable purposes. The grants are intended to promote intellectual interest or achievement and are concentrated in qualified educational and literary programs associated predominantly with college and university students. The Foundation supports an Annual Literary Competition and provides funding for scholarships and leadership training, in addition to providing support for qualified individual projects.

(Adopted April 21, 2005)

The Samuel Eells Literary and Educational Foundation, Inc. provides scholarships and literary awards to deserving undergraduate students. It funds the construction, renovation and maintenance of educational facilities and equipment and supports literary recitals and other worthy, literary-related activities.

Supported Colleges and Universities

To maximize the effectiveness of its donations, the Samuel Eells Literary and Educational Foundation, Inc. concentrates its charitable contributions to the following colleges and universities:

Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Brandeis University, Brown University, California State College, Chapman University, Colby College, Colgate College, College of the City of New York, Columbia University, Cornell University, Cumberland University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Emory University, George Washington University, Hamilton College, Harvard University, Hobart College, Johns Hopkins University, Kenyon College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, McGill University, Miami University (of Ohio), Michigan State University, Middlebury College, New York University, Northeastern University, Northwestern University, Pennsylvania State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Stanford University, State University of New York, Trinity College, Union College, University of New Hampshire, University of Alabama, University of British Columbia, University of California, University of California – Berkeley, University of Chicago, University of Connecticut, University of Illinois, University of Massachusetts, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of New Hampshire, University of Pennsylvania, University of Rochester, University of Texas – Austin, University of Toronto, University of Virginia, University of Washington, University of Western Ontario, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Ursinus College, Washington & Lee University, Washington University in St. Louis, Wesleyan University, Western Reserve University, Williams College, Yale University, York College of Pennsylvania

Apply for an Educational Grant

To apply for an educational grant from the Samuel Eells Literary & Educational Foundation, please visit our Grant Application page.

Support us!

To contribute to the Samuel Eells Literary & Educational Foundation, please visit our donation page. If you would like to contribute in another way or have questions about how you can help, please contact us.